Item649: Only see TWiki as a valid web if TWikiCompatibilityPlugin is installed and enabled.
Priority: Normal
Current State: Closed
Released In: 1.0.0
Target Release: patch
Applies To: Engine
Component:
Branches:
Only see TWiki as a valid web if
TWikiCompatibilityPlugin is installed and enabled.
There has been a lot of discussion in the Foswiki community if we should provide distribution both with and without the
TWikiCompatibilityPlugin.
The people against has seen having two versions adding unnecessary confusion to the downloader.
The people for have mainly been concerned about the new users that have no TWiki history and who will not need to install old TWiki plugins that are not yet available in Foswiki namespace versions. These users would see the TWiki web. At least the members of the
AdminGroup will see the TWiki web.
To meet both requirements: simple download page, no visible TWiki web unless you need it - this change in the web discovery code does the job.
The TWiki web will simply not be seen as a valid web anywhere unless two criteria are met.
.. the TWiki web will be totally invisible. It will not show in left bar even when you are an admin. It will not show in any user interfaces related to webs or UI that lists webs. And searching all webs will not return anything from the TWiki web.
Only the direct URLs to files in pub/TWiki will be there but that is no issue at all for anyone.
I have documented the behavior in a note in
VarWEBLIST in case some app developer wonders why it is not shown.
This means that we can distribute ONE release.
I also enable the
TWikiCompatibilityPlugin by default again which means putting its setting back in Foswiki.spec.
It is a tradeoff.
Enable TWikiCompatibilityPlugin by default |
Impact |
Yes |
All upgraders will have the TWiki stuff working without having to remember to enable the plugin (advantage high) New users will have a TWiki web which can be seen by the admins but with be invisible to normal users. (Harm considered low) |
No |
All upgraders must remember to activate the plugin (harm is high) New users will not have their admins see the TWiki web (advantage low) |
So the conclusion is that it is best to ship with the
TWikiCompatibilityPlugin enabled.
This also matches what many community members expressed during the discussion of one or two release versions.
"When two solutions create a debate because there are pros and cons with both - a third solution is the right one to choose". (Kenneth doctrine
)