Fri 02 Jan 2009 |
Joomla Services Directory: Request for Comment
Written by Andrew Eddie
The Joomla project is requesting comment and feedback for a proposed new site that is planned to be deployed in 2009. The working name for the site is the "Joomla Services Directory". This site is to be a directory along similar lines to the Joomla Extensions Directory but with the purpose of connecting people or companies that provide Joomla related services, whether they be free or commercial, to people who need those services. It has been identified that providing a centralised directory will have a significant positive impact on Joomla user and business community. The scope of the site is yet to be decided but it is envisaged it may include services such as consulting, free-lancing, training, professional advice, legal advice (pertaining to Open Source or operating a software business), Joomla-ready hosting, and so on.
Feedback or comment is desired and may cover, but is not limited to, the following areas:
- The scope of services to list.
- Conditions for listing.
- Potential category structures.
- Details required for listings (web site, address, geographic locators, etc).
- Ways in which a user should be able to search the site listings.
- Potential for reviews and ratings.
- Anything else you can think of that would help make this a fantastic site for the community.
We are also researching via our legal and financial advisors whether it is possible to derive revenue from paid services such as premium listings, etc. While we don't know what shape or form this might take (or even if it is possible at all) we would nonetheless like your feedback on this aspect as we are investigating such possibilities for the site.
The minimum conditions for listing will at least be in line with other Joomla sites (for example, JoomlaConnect).
Submissions are to be made by email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
by 11:59pm UTC 31 January 2009. All reasonable submissions will be considered but the final specifications for the site are at the discretion of the project. Generally no response will be given to submissions, however, we reserve the right to contact the submitter to clarify matters where appropriate. A release date for this site will be advised in due course.
Addendum:
Email submisions are for your comments and feedback about how you think this directory can work for you as either a service provider or someone searching for a service.
Feel free to comment on this article via the comments form but these will not be considered when are trying to make sense of the jigsaw puzzle before us.
2009-01-02 02:44:11
The recent changes in the Joomla projects requirements for the JED itself has been a bad idea, IMO. I'm NOT a developer, but I do rely HEAVILY on commercial extensions, and it seems like several of the developers who's products were largely responsible for making us choose Joomla over Drupal in the first place are having to jump though hoops to hit a moving target as far as the requirements.
I fully understand that the core team has excellent reasons for what they want to do, but it's having a very negative effect on both internal and external perception of the project. The number of times the stance has changed makes people very nervous, and frankly, makes me wonder if we chose wrongly when we went for Joomla vs Drupal even though we have been strong Joomla! evangelists on Forum admin boards as well as various communities we participate in.
Both my wife and myself are quite concerned at the fragmentation that we're seeing, and the *perception* (I know it's not the reality, but perception is the name of the game here) that the joomla! project is trying to disadvantage commercial developers is very VERY troubling.
A centralized services directory would be very useful, but not if it's filtered the way the JED itself will be soon. Frankly the JED will cease to be useful to us if many of the commercial extensions are dropped for non-compliance, we mostly USE commercial extensions, because of the support.
Anyway, prob a bit far afield, but I wanted to put our $.02 in early on if there's to be a new directory for services.
James and Susan
ikeafans.com
2009-01-02 02:52:20
::sigh::
Well, now that I've likely lost 20 minutes of my life because I wanted to contribute my opinion... I'll say it briefly:
Love the idea.
If it has anything like the restrictions currently being phased in on the JED, don't bother. We mostly rely on Commercial extensions for our site, they are mostly what was responsible for our going with Joomla instead of Drupal in the first place. The *perception* (not the reality, we understand that) that the Joomla! project is attempting to disadvantage commercial developers, and presenting them with a moving target compliance wise... That perception is VERY concerning. We're watching the community fragmenting in disturbing ways, and if this new directory isn't totally inclusive, I'm afraid it'll make the problem worse.
'K, that's our 2 copper coins worth...
James and Susan
2009-01-02 03:34:41
2009-01-02 04:16:27
Regarding using the comment tool instead of submitting via email:
Anyway, we understand what you're *trying* to accomplish, but I'm afraid the way it's being perceived in a lot of non-Joomla! places is pretty bad in some instances.
I've actually had a debate with a fellow site admin that's building the next generation of his community site, he's going to use Drupal, and when I tried to point out the great future of the J!1.5 architecture and projects like jFusion and Fabrik his response was:
"But have you seen what they're doing to the commercial developers?! No way am I getting into that situation, I'm no coder, I need support, and if the developers are going to pack up and leave I'll be stuck. Drupal's got a MUCH easier interface to boot. Joomla's a security nightmare and a total PITA to use, good luck with it!"
I know, and you know, that a lot of that is way off base... But that's the way some folks are thinking, and THAT's got us worried.
James and Susan
2009-01-02 05:10:29
You know Andrew is a commercial developer right?
2009-01-02 05:38:45
Sure do Elin, we've looked at "Catalog" several times
James and Susan
2009-01-02 05:40:12
This directory, to me, slices through a different aspect of the community. The JED is a mix of things you get add to Joomla. This, however, is pretty much focused on the business end of town and in a much broader way. It works like this. The project strives to make the software better, capturing more market share, which drives more demand for services ... and how are people going to find those services? This is bigger than just the extensions developers - much, much bigger. It's really a different ball game, but I think a pretty exciting opportunity for anyone in the Joomla services industry. You don't often get a chance to shape a new site like this while it's being planned.
I wanted to be very up front with two things: that our core values are our core values and we'll be sticking to them, and that sometime down the track there may be paid elements to the site (so there are no surprises, even if you disagree). Outside of that, we want to be as inclusive as we possibly can for Joomla related "stuff". I want "you" to be successful so that Joomla can be more successful. That makes it a win-win for everyone.
And, ok, selfishly I want a place to refer people to when I'm too busy to take on work requests
2009-01-02 06:39:31
I think this is a great idea. We need to develop a very strong cohort of professional Joomla developers to carry the project to the next level. So a place where Joomla oriented project managers, business analysts, SEO expert etc. as well as developers can highlight their services will help consolidate things very well.
My input would be to see if there was a way to help people (like us) working on very large sites to differentiate our services.
Cheers,
Damo
2009-01-02 22:19:36
2009-01-03 13:39:02
2009-01-04 02:39:12
I think the above is the core statement.
I do stuff for free and charge others. I don't in anyway make a living out of it, but others I guess do. As long as there is enough free tools and some goods ones which are worth the money its ok by me. (yes I have paid for Joomla extenstions.) Its all a bit like Linux really the core and lots of stuff free but services on top can be paid for. The trick and hence the new site is FINDING these services free or not.
2009-01-05 14:58:46
2009-01-05 21:34:47
2009-01-07 16:51:55
2009-01-07 18:10:47
2009-01-08 08:20:02
Of course there could be a new site too with more focus on promoting commercial services related to Joomla and other services. Maybe integrate both them in good way is a solution.
2009-01-09 16:40:46
2009-01-09 21:55:41
I am very hopeful Joomla! implements a services directory. Drupal has an excellent one, and is an attraction to their project for me. I am making a career-change, and have spent some months researching Joomla! as an application to focus on.
2009-01-11 23:35:45
Thanks for your understanding
2009-01-18 05:08:24
There's got to be enough money flowing through the system so that the "marketplace" can properly service the community - People new to Joomla! who have picked up a project beyond their capabilities or end users looking for a way to access Joomla! expertise quickly and easily.
There's clearly a demand for such a thing (Drupal has one) so the trick here is to actually focus on creating an environment where people can MAKE MONEY using the Joomla! framework as a backbone. Then everyone...consultants, salesmen, designers, programmers can contribute in some small way (membership, transaction fee) to creating a vibrant destination for getting things done with Joomla!
The alternative, a FREE site, will sustain itself only for as long as there is some other, incidental cash stream to support it - limiting its scalability and ultimately its viability.
We all know there's no such thing as a free lunch. If the Service Directory effort wants to be worth its own salt it must come up with a way to pay for itself without being perceived as having "sold out" the GPL ideal.
Graham Leach
2009-01-19 01:20:42
Would be interesting to see it happen but would be more interesting to see it develop.
Email sent and my only real concern is that every listing is weighted equally and that it's fair.
2009-01-19 12:51:22
Link
OpenX Professional services and Consulting directory
2009-01-24 07:39:42
First... if you need assistance give me a call
Secondly I 'tend' to agree with James and Susan; in that the suggestion falls on the side of Joomla dependence rather than Joomla development. And as Joomla gets fatter and fatter, we need to push forward and up... not further along the path of profitability for those individuals and companies that can afford the time and expense of being prominent and visible.
2009-01-26 18:29:12
Adding service listings to this Directory of Joomla Services idea could be seen also as creating the definitive marketplace for Joomla services; making the core developers of Joomla not just open-source software providers, but also the owners of the resulting market itself (which might be good business for Joomla, but also starts to reek of no-longer being open-source: do I have to pay to get listed or appear at the top? Well, then as a developer that's a direct cost barrier to using Joomla).
The question of how they restrict access then is a key concern: recognizing that acting as gatekeeper requires resources that must be compensated through some kind of revenue; so that the open marketplace could become either a toll-road to keep out the little guy, or a barrier to entry for profit-minded Joomla developers.
While the directory itself seems to be deserving of an upgrade, I'm wondering if creating service-directories that make money by reviering and referring Joomla services might be better left to opportunistic 3rd parties such as JoomLancers, JExtended, etc.
-h
2009-01-29 22:50:36
I have used Rent-A-Coder and also 99 Designs. Both serve the community well. RAC.. has an amazing set of back-end tools... chat with client, escrow display, ratings, and project awards though has a woeful front-end display... unlike 99Designs which allows for visual feedback and public voting which are both nice features.
Critical to the user is the handling of client/provider privacy which is handled extremely well at RAC; with protection for both client and provider is there dispute... providing arbitration and strict recording of the steps through the project; their (RAC's) model here is exceptional. Seriously worth winning a pitch to see the process in action.
my regards
Simon
2009-02-19 18:29:50
I legitimate review system is required to prevent spamming of customer reviews and comments.
I think the site should also offer banner ads providers can subscribe to for $100+/month or at least offer Adwords targeted ads.
2009-06-07 19:03:55
we already have:
http://www.joomlancers.com/
http://www.joomlafreelance.co.uk/
and http://www.freelancejoomla.com/
or will this be totally different?
2009-09-13 14:03:22
but i will have more turst if i connect thorugh joomla main site
http://www.joomlancers.com/
http://www.joomlafreelance.co.uk/
and http://www.freelancejoomla.com/
2009-09-16 22:35:55