Code examples uploading

[SamuraiJack1]

Hi all

I tried to devote some to supporting peoples in "Help" forum..
And discovered, that its really time-consuming - to copy-paste the code from post, save it somewhere locally and then open in browser, if I'm just need to reproduce the case.

Would be easier, if the user will upload the example somewhere and will describe the situation in concrete termins: when I'm pressing the Button1 button I'm expecting that Panel2 get collapsed, etc.
And it will be possible to look at his code in debugger and to answer much quicker.

So - how about to allow restricted anonymous ftp access for uploading such code examples?
Smth like:
ftp://codehelp.extjs.com, which will correspond to http://codehelp.extjs.com

The uploading directory can be cleared once per day or two, so the server woudn't be flooded.

[SamuraiJack1]

Also it would be possible to correct the user right into his code, on ftp

[mystix]

@saki's site has something like this up:
http://examples.extjs.eu

might want to try collaborating with him.

[jay@moduscreate.com]

It is time consuming to help - but you do it if you have the time. A cut and paste/ftp/etc won't work for everyone as they only paste offending bits. Some devs paste their entire app (sheesh).

I usually spend about 10 minutes or so every hour checking the forums. I think i have ADD :(

[mjlecomte]

Maybe it's me, but I think you're missing the OP's point.

Current forum practice:

Joe Blow's app doesn't work.
Currently he'll post too much code or not enough code.
Joe Blow doesn't have a publicly accessible url.


Saki's site:

Saki posts examples of things that have come up and he can refer people to for reference. He posts examples when he wants.
His sit is not open to the public.


OP's vision (I think):

Joe Blow has a problem.
Joe Blow post his complete working demonstrative example on the FTP site.
Joe Blow posts his thread asking for help.
Joe Blow says X is my problem, Y is where the current demo is.
Sammy Helpsalot can go view the active code on the FTP spot.


In this situation, it might be helpful, however some cons:

People will post a link to the FTP site and say "please help me it doesn't work".
People will not post code on the forum thread any more so any future reference to the code and corrections will probably be lost since the FTP site would be cleared daily.


My guess is that the developers would never go for it though. They are opposed to php style commenting for the docs, so I can't see where they'd go for this. I'm not opening up that can of worms again, just pointing out that they didn't want the public messing with the site too much.

[SamuraiJack1]

Sammy Helpsalot can go view the active code on the FTP spot.
:)):)):))

Actually there is an ftp server, running on extjs-ux.org, so I just added sub-domain and it is usable already:

ftp://sandbox.extjs-ux.org
http://sandbox.extjs-ux.org

[mjlecomte]

Not sure how you plan to do your clean up, but if you do clean up at 1200 hours every day, someone that posted at 1130 will be quite annoyed? Maybe you can do something where any files not modified within last 48 hours are removed?

[iamleppert]

What would really help is offering something like php.net offers in their docs. Allow users to comment on classes, methods, etc. Maybe a section at the bottom called user comments? This has previously been invaluable for me.

Also, maybe a section like w3cscools try it now would be awesome for testing grids etc in the examples.

[SamuraiJack1]

Not sure how you plan to do your clean up, but if you do clean up at 1200 hours every day, someone that posted at 1130 will be quite annoyed? Maybe you can do something where any files not modified within last 48 hours are removed?
Good idea, I'll do exactly like this.

[mjlecomte]

What would really help is offering something like php.net offers in their docs. Allow users to comment on classes, methods, etc. Maybe a section at the bottom called user comments? This has previously been invaluable for me.

Also, maybe a section like w3cscools try it now would be awesome for testing grids etc in the examples.

These ideas have already been discussed on the forums and were pretty much rejected for www.extjs.com unfortunately. There was a loooong thread about this before.

[jay@moduscreate.com]

MJ, I just don't see this working.

[mjlecomte]

MJ, I just don't see this working.

Well, it's Jack's initiative. I don't see where this could hurt anything if people want to utilize the feature Jack is offering. I just saw some threads in past hour where helper and OP were going back and forth numerous times when the whole thing would probably have been resolved much quicker.

Anyway, only time will tell.

[jay@moduscreate.com]

we have a hard enough time getting the folks in need of help to post code.

This solution requires that they not only post their code, but modify it so it works in some vanilla environment. -- I don't see it happening.

It's a nice idea - conceptually - but in reality, it is just not going to work.

[SamuraiJack1]

for those who uses the sandbox:

I setuped a password on access to it (some "hackers" constantly uploading ripped dvd's and garbage)

ftp://sandbox.extjs-ux.org/
http://sandbox.extjs-ux.org/

username : anonymous
password : extjs-ux

[jay@moduscreate.com]

for those who uses the sandbox:

I setuped a password on access to it (some "hackers" constantly uploading ripped dvd's and garbage)

ftp://sandbox.extjs-ux.org/
http://sandbox.extjs-ux.org/

username : anonymous
password : extjs-ux

I find that pretty funny. Your best bet is to setup email registration and not post the password to your FTP site here.

/:)

[SamuraiJack1]

It does make sense - those "hackers" just uses ftp bots which scans the 21 port for ftp server with anonymous access allowed, they are not from forum.

[jay@moduscreate.com]

I don't want to rain on your parade or seem like a party pooper, but I think you underestimate the resourcefulness of those people. ;)

[jack.slocum]

You might want to talk to the guys who created http://extpaste.com . It would be cool if you could select "run this code in a new window". If not, I am sure a greasemonkey script could be created to do it.

[SamuraiJack1]

'Must implement' idea.