Hello,

I'm the creator of the Application Toolbar (Appbar) module and it looks like you're duplicating quite a bit of effort here.

Appbar doesn't currently support adding full blocks to it; I didn't realize it was possible, but having read your implementation I now realize it's trivial to add to Appbar. Appbar also has a fair-sized user base and a full nearly-real-time alert system like Facebook.

I would appreciate if we could work together to come up with the best appbar-style module rather than competing with duplicate efforts. I've been looking for a co-maintainer; if you're interested, I'll be happy to add you.

Cheers

CommentFileSizeAuthor
#3 appbar-block.png21.69 KBjcisio

Comments

lolomu22’s picture

lolomu22 commented

Hello IceCreamYou

I dnt think this is a duplicate module since it doesn't do the same thing that the appbar does. We've been trying
appbar for some time now and adding full blocks to it is something we've been asking for.

I see appbar as a real application toolbar with API and tray more like a dock where other blocks and modules can be added.

Both have very good features everyone can use. It would be great to see how they evolve.

Thanks

icecreamyou’s picture

icecreamyou commented

The thing is that Appbar is both of those. I haven't specifically added the ability for blocks to become regions in Appbar but doing so should only take an hour or so. Once I do that, this module's functionality will be present in Appbar.

jcisio’s picture

jcisio commented
Title: Duplicate module » Join force with Appbar?
StatusFileSize
new appbar-block.png21.69 KB

It would be great to combine the two module! Admins don't want appbar & tray at the same time on their site!

Currently one of my module implement a block in appbar (see image below and code here). But with tray, it is much more easier.

Note that presently Tray does not use AJAX, but load all blocks on page load. IMHO ajaxification is better.

ChaosD’s picture

ChaosD commented

subscribed

i also think that these 2 projects can be merged.

jcisio’s picture

jcisio commented
Title: Join force with Appbar? » Future of Tray
Priority: Normal » Critical

I was thinking about it and have a few more ideas about two modules.

1. What users need. I find Tray useful because it has blocks, something "must have" in any appbar. I find Appbar useful because it has the alert system with intuitive UI, a "must have" thing, too.

2. I don't practically use the menu items of Appbar. And I don't think users need another menu system (Appbar menu links are rather simple).

3. I personally find the Appbar integration with Rules, Activities... is duplicate. It creates unnecessary alerts in database. Why don't use a Messaging/Notifications system (and Rules, Activities integrate with them)? Appbar is at the presentation layer, it shouldn't have its own data. That part duplicates the Notifications system.

Ok, what I'd love to see:
- An appbar with ajaxify blocks
- An appbar with alert system, get data directly from Notifications.

Those thoughts are for both modules authors. I see it as the best way to evolve the modules (or module, I hope).

icecreamyou’s picture

icecreamyou commented

That's basically my plan for appbar, I just haven't had time to do it all yet.

Flying Drupalist’s picture

Flying Drupalist commented

Proposed the same thing here:
http://drupal.org/node/543882

I disagree that the alert system should be part of a module like this, it should be broken out into its own module.

jcisio’s picture

jcisio commented

When I said alert system, it's not the current system. It should be a simple system that periodically reloads and gets messages from source. Notifications is one source at the moment.

andypost’s picture

andypost
he/him
Primary language Russian
commented
Version: 6.x-1.0 » 6.x-1.x-dev

Subscribe, is there any progress on joining forces?

icecreamyou’s picture

icecreamyou commented

Appbar now does everything Tray does and more, it's more mature, and it has far more users. I've offered to let the maintainers of Tray collaborate on the future of Appbar, but they have declined and insist on pursuing their own duplicate work. That offer is still open if they change their minds.

Obviously I'm biased, but if you're currently choosing between the two, Appbar is the better choice and you won't lose any functionality in choosing it.

jcisio’s picture

jcisio commented
Priority: Critical » Normal

Hello the maintainers,

I completely forgot this issue (sorry!) when I created a new module, http://drupal.org/project/taskbar. Briefly, taskbar gives a flexible architecture to do whatever Tray. Its architecture also allow the integration of "realtime" notification system (in a separate module, of course).

So I'd ask for a joint force operation ;-) I did the same thing with Appbar in #1064806-7: Block ajaxification (well, the issue title is not quite correct).