Community (Advanced) Starter Kit 2.0 (AKA CASK) enables an individual or an ISP to quickly create a community Web site such as a user group site, a developer resource site, or a news site. It has seven standard content modules: Articles, Links, Downloads, Photo Gallery, Events and Books. In addition it supports multiple community configurations, quotas, newsletters, voting polls, RSS news feeds and XML web services.
The Community Starter Kit 2.0 is an updated version of the Microsoft Community Starter Kit (CSK) 1.1 that includes new functionality, ASP.NET 2.0 security and bug fixes contributed by the CSK developer community. CASK utilizes the CSK 1.1 data tables, stored procedures and functions with minimal modification to support a clean upgrade path from CSK 1.1 to CASK. Although dubbed a starter kit this application utilizes advanced features of ASP.NET
2008.04.25 The CASKSetup application is now called SDMSSetup (
http://www.CodePlex.com/SDMS). When SDMSSetup is completed development on
this project will be limited to minor updates and bug fixes. My Development efforts will switch to the Solution Management Development System (SDMS) which will incorporate the
new CASK Web application; once completed it will replace this project. The new CASK will utilize the
Web Client Software Factory as the foundation. The SDMSSetup installation program will be written utilizing the
Smart Client Software Factory which will also be a WinForm admin application (manage CASK from Web or Windows app).
Note: It is my intent to utilize this version of the database for the new CASK with the exception of required changes to support the SharePoint interface (the Winform application will communicate with MOSS 2007 or CASK for SDMS); there will be an automated upgrade path. 2008.03.22 The new CASKSetup application, utilizing the Smart Client Software Factory, is progressing well - I had a minor set back when I injured my hand while sparring a 4th Degree black-belt; fortunately it wasn't broken but I had to reserve the pain for my paying contract ;) I'm recovering and able to do more now. The CASKSetup is currently one of my highest priorites (the only thing blocking the next release) and I hope to have it completed by mid April. This will let me clear my decks for this release while providing a Smart Client Contrib project to the Smart Client community. I'll then be able to focus on SDMS and the new CASK (they will grow hand-in-hand).
I've downloaded and installed the new VS2008 Web Client Software Factory (WCSF) and am blown away by it - CASK's natural evolution will be WCSF and I plan on using the data table structures (from this next release) to start the rewrite for CASK. Initially it will be incorporated into the
Solution Development Management System solution as I integrate shared resources between the Smart Client Software Factory and the Web Client Software Factory - once WCSF-CASK matures it will be released and maintained here.
2008.02.24 Starting a CASKDotNet training series using
Wink flash (as soon as I release CASK and my SCSF Contrib project I will be switching to Silverlight). The series will be based on a Prototype site that I will be using to develop our
Solution Management Development System, which CASK will become an integral part of. For SDMS CASK will become the Counter-Part to SharePoint services - as the SDMS project evolves CASK will provide support for the SharePoint interface that will allow SDMS to chose between Sharepoint or CASK (for those that don't have SharePoint servers).
2008.02.23 Looks like I can't retire Visual Studio 2005 yet as I have become heavily embedded in the Smart Client Software Factory (with Guidance Packages); not currently
supported under Visual Studio 2008. Recent news is that the VS2008 release won't make it this month. I decided this morning that I will kill two birds with one stone by creating the CASKInstall, the only thing holding us up for a release, using VS2005 and the Smart Client Software Factory. The "other stone" is a
Smart Client Contrib project that I am working on which I want to have in beta test next week. I can create the CASKInstall and put out the long awaited release while providing the Smart Client community a fully functional Smart Client W/MDI support application for the SCSFContrib project.
2008.01.09 With the CASK source code being under Visual Studio 2008 it has been problematic working on the new CASKInstall program using the Smart Client Software Factory (SCSF) as it is not currently
supported with VS2008 and I have pretty much retired VS2005. The official word is that Visual Studio 2008 will support the SCSF and Guidance Packages as soon as Jan/Feb of 2008. I will use this time to fully regression test the CASK application (all features). Once tested I will start the CASKInstall business logic layers and Data access layers so that when the Smart Client framework is available I can officially release the next version of CASK within a relatively short period of time.
2007.12.15 I have the new Smart Client Software Factory (SCSF May 2007) with Guidance packages installed - they will be used for the new CASKInstall package! I get to kill two birds with one stone as the SCSF w/MDI interface will be used for a current client project; by the time the project is completed I will have the infrastructure and classes in place to streamline the development of the next CASK Installation process - to include upgrading from the Community Starter Kits .NET 1.1, CASK Beta and CASK Release 1.0! I am also in the process of learning the Guidance Application Toolkit so that I can create recipes for the CASK project (code generation for creating Modules now dynamically supported by CASK, i.e., the Calendar).
2007.11.07 Calendar Module Completed!
See what CASK looks after installation at
http://www.CaskDotNet.com Want to list your CASK site here? I'd be glad to add it, please email me at bill@global-webnet.com
A refactored version of the CASK can be found at the following link:
http://www.codeplex.com/DotCommunities. Ed, the Coordinator for DotCommunities, has brought many new features to this beta release. His countless hours of development time and commitment to the community is deeply appreciated.
Frequently Asked QuestionsInstallation NotesIssue Tracker Notes ----------==========----------
