BuddyPress release imminent

December 28, 2008 in Elgg, Social Networking, Technology, open source | 9 comments

BuddyPress, a social networking platform based upon WordPressMu, originally scheduled for release by the end of this year is in beta release. Developers have frozen new features are are now trying to iron out bugs before the version 1.0 release.

BuddyPress is not an application on its own, rather it is a collection of WordPressMu plugins that extend core functionality. They can all be installed as a collection or individually. Here’s a list of components:

  • Extended Profiles that allow administrators to customize fields for user information and allows users to configure what is visible to the public.
  • Private Messaging between users
  • Friends
  • Groups that may be created by any individual including forum, photos, blog, and wire
  • The wire similar to a comment wall available to profiles, groups, etc
  • Activity Streams for yourself or your friends
  • Blogs (of course)
  • Status Updates
  • Photo Albums
  • Forums enabled through bbPress

Implementation involves a few steps. First WPMU must be installed, then the Buddy Press Plugins  are uploaded and activated. Finally, bbPress must be installed and integrated. Jim Groom is writing an evolving guide to the process. It includes links to many great WPMU resources.

Having administered a WPMU installation at my school for about a year, I’m very eager to work with BuddyPress. I’ll be looking at the way in which the access/user privileges integrate into the various components. Adding one or two components at a time might ease the transition.

Elgg and BuddyPress have common features, but based on my experiences with WPMU and Elgg, I know they will be substantially different. Once versions are more stable, I look forward to comparing the two. Meanwhile, I’d gladly try it out as a user if anybody has a test installation.

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  1. Klamm’s avatar

    Klamm on December 29, 2008 at 6:02 am

    It looks quite interesting. Do you think it could be a better solution than Elgg? They have the same features, don’t you think?

    Reply

    1. Steve’s avatar

      Steve on December 29, 2008 at 9:23 am

      I don’t know if one or the other is a better solution so much as different solutions. I believe each will have advantages and disacvantages over the other.

      My big concern is that BuddyPress may be somewhat convoluted. I may have a better sense once I upgrade from WPMU 2.6 to 2.7 as substantial changes to the administrative interface occurred between WP 2.6 and 2.7.

      Reply

  2. Matt Leifer’s avatar

    Matt Leifer on December 29, 2008 at 7:36 am

    I’m looking forward to the comparison. I also have some experience with WordPress, so switching from Elgg would be an option for me. The following questions are key for me:

    - How do the access controls compare. Can any message, group, page, etc. be controlled as flexibly as in Elgg?

    - Is there an equivalent of Elgg’s pages with (at least basic) revision control? If not, is there wiki integration?

    Reply

    1. Steve’s avatar

      Steve on December 29, 2008 at 9:35 am

      In WPMU there are some plugins that give pretty good control over the blogs in terms of who could post, who could post but the posts were moderated, and who could read an individual blog. Will that translate into everything else? That remains to be seen.

      There is some wiki integration available to WordPress in that there is a wiki markup plugin. Once can make pages as opposed to posts in WordPress. There are other developments as well. Will they work with WPMU and BP? I do not know.

      Reply

  3. Phil’s avatar

    Phil on December 29, 2008 at 9:37 am

    I’m looking at this, I started the integration between bbpress and wp but had one or two issues and got distracted.
    I’ve never used or installed wp before but found installing it quite easy.
    The problem I have initially is in the integration. I’ve installed wp, then I had to get bp working with it, that bit wasn’t too difficult but could easily make issues. Now I’ve installed bbpress aswell, that wasn’t too hard. But integrating the database accesses for bbpress to work seemlessly within wp isn’t quite so easy.
    From what I see on the various forums, the integration is the biggest hurdle.
    Will buddypress wait for full wp 2.7 release? It does need 2.7 to run apparently.
    All that said and done, it does look very interesting and I’m convinced some people will prefer it. I’m looking forward to playing with the themes and adding widgets and/or further plugins.
    I expect it will move forward quicker than elgg with more structured assistance and easy access to help forums, that could be a deciding factor for some people.
    Overall so far I see a lot of potential with wpmu and bp, it may give elgg a good run for its money.

    Reply

    1. Phil’s avatar

      Phil on December 29, 2008 at 9:41 am

      That link to Jim Groom could prove very useful – just what I was looking for, thanks again Steve.

      Reply

    2. Steve’s avatar

      Steve on December 29, 2008 at 9:51 am

      The installation/integration process will certainly impede many potential users–this may be a good thing in some ways.

      I am guessing that WPMU 2.7 will be released before BP non-beta is released.

      There is no question that the WP support community is stronger and better established.

      Reply

  4. Steve’s avatar

    Steve on December 29, 2008 at 9:58 am

    I couldn’t load the test site yesterday, but today I can.

    http://testbp.org

    I’m setting up an account and will blog about the user end soon.

    Reply