Zope Intranet
version: 1.0date: 2001-11-25 16:08:30
Guide to using Zope as an intranet server.
Requirements:
Develop an intranet for the company to replace the current "shared folder" system. Ease of use/maintenance, granular access control, central management interface, user management tools all required.Functionality:
There will be a single overall site, with subsections for each department. The primary site should include a news section, a company directory, and primary navigation to each of the subsections as well as a help section. Each department will have seperate navigation and will consist of a primary information page about the department and areas for forms, files, or other features as needed.Implementation
Zope (Z Object Publishing Environment) is a web application server written in the Python programming language. It is Open Source, meaning that you get the source code when you download it, and if you wish to change or add some fundamental functionality to the server, it is as simple as hiring a Python programmer (or using one on already on staff) to make the needed changes. is a fairly full featured framework that allows developers to quickly and easily add functionality as needed. Many people have developed Zope products that are available free of charge at Zope. It uses a custom markup language for some functionality, but this will be transparent to all but the most technical users. Installation will be done by a system administrator, and is a fairly simple process.Technical notes.
Content Management Framework
We will use CMF as the basis for the intranet site. Zope One of the most powerful Zope products is one made by the Zope Corporation (the creators of Zope) called Content Management Framework. This is a portal system which includes basic content management, user management, and a cohesive UI. It is fairly trivial to add most existing Zope products to a CMF site, though some do require a minor amount of editing of DTML and Python text files. There are also a fair number of CMF specific products that integrate seamlessly with no additional work on the part of the user (Calendars, Photo Albums, Weblogs, Polls, Surveys, Workflow Managers, etc).ZDiscussions
ZDiscussions provides a traditional threaded message board. There will be one central message board with a folder for each department and then a general folder (departments may add as many subfolders as they deem necessary).FlexFAQ
Another fairly standard component of a site, the FAQ will be managed using a very simple tool called FlexFAQ, which will allow a designated employee to maintain the FAQ system with no need to know how to run Zope.Forms
All forms will be available online, and all handbooks etc will be put online in both HTML and PDF format.Trouble ticket entry/tracking
At this point it looks like iTrack is the best trouble ticket management system for Zope. A very simple interface (view, add, edit) it will allow users to view/change status and assign tasks to users.Project Management
DC Workflow is currently being evaluated as a possible project management tool.Department Sections
- HR - The HR section will feature all HR related forms available for download or online processing (users will only be able to submit forms using their own user id) as well as a weekly company newsletter.
- IT - The IT department will have trouble ticket entry/tracking system, network status, IT news, and equipment/software inventory database.
- Acctg - The accounting section will provide online/downloadable expense forms and guidelines.
- Sales - The sales department will include information on latest closes, track company progress and history, and a repository of all sales demos/material.
- Development - This will consist of all documentation (requirements, standards, etc), software repository, etc.
- Marketing - The marketing section will hold all marketing materials, all press releases (using the KM|Net News product), and a schedule of events.
- Office mgmt - The Office Management section will be comprised of all general forms (supplies, etc), information on physical plant, etc.
Tech Notes.
Installing Zope
Linux: make sure you have Python2.1 or greater installed, and in your path, then download the current stable Zope. I recommend installing from source, which would involve putting the archive file where you want to install, then untaring it, cd'ing to the new directory, and typingpython w_pcgi.py
(unless you don't want pcgi, in which case you'd use wo_pcgi.py. Once the process is done installing, I generally change the password
python zpasswd.py -u username -p passwd access
where you insert the username and passwd variables of your choice. You may also need to change permissions on the var directory if you installed as root.
Windows: make sure you have Python2.1 or greater installed, and in your path, then download the current stable Zope. Run the exe.
