ILUG 2008 Templates, Templates Everywhere

Templates, Templates Everywhere — If You Templates, Templates Everywhere — If You Know Where to LookKnow Where to Look

Kevin PettittBruce Elgort

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Your Hosts for Today's Session…Your Hosts for Today's Session…

Kevin Pettitta.k.a Lotus Guru

LotusGuru ConsultingDeveloper, Admin, ArchitectFather of SuperNTFBlog: www.LotusGuru.com

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Your Hosts for Today's Session…Your Hosts for Today's Session…

Bruce Elgort

OpenNTF Co-FounderTaking Notes PodcastIdea JamShow-N-Tell-ThursdaysMad DrummerBlogs: www.bruceelgort.comContributing Editor: vowe.net

http://www.bruceelgort.com/




http://www.vowe.net/



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Things You Will Learn About TemplatesThings You Will Learn About Templates

There’s something for everyone– Developers, Admins, and yes, even end users!

Where to find the really good ones How to get the most out of them Tons of awesome ones are out there, both

free and commercial– We're going to talk about free ones of course

Agenda …Agenda …

Templates – The Basics What does Lotus give us? Where to find more? Some of the best templates money can’t buy The Final Word

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““Hello Template, Haven’t We Met Before?”Hello Template, Haven’t We Met Before?”

Microsoft Word has *.dot Microsoft Excel has *.xlt PowerPoint has *.pot Access has *.mdn IBM Lotus and Domino have *.NTF

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QActivitiesQAnnounceQContactsQIdeasQIssuesQMeetingQPhotos

QPresentQProjectQSiteQSurvey

Quickr Uses Templates, Too (PlaceTypes Quickr Uses Templates, Too (PlaceTypes Actually)Actually)

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Notes Templates 101 – A ReviewNotes Templates 101 – A Review

Easy way to create IBM Lotus Notes and Domino applications

Easy to apply updates to an application– File Application Refresh

Design– File Application Replace

Design

Mass updates …

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Templates – The basics What does Lotus give us? Where to find more? Some of the best templates money can’t buy Parting Thoughts

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What Templates Come Out of the (Virtual) What Templates Come Out of the (Virtual) Box?Box?

Personal Journal TeamRoom Document Library Microsoft Office Library Discussion Domino Blog DDM Template and other administrative

templates RSS Feed Generator

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Discussion – Notes …Discussion – Notes …

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Discussion – Notes … and WebDiscussion – Notes … and Web

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Personal Journal – NotesPersonal Journal – Notes

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Document Library – Notes …Document Library – Notes …

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Document Library – Notes … and WebDocument Library – Notes … and Web

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TeamRoom – Notes …TeamRoom – Notes …

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TeamRoom – Notes … and WebTeamRoom – Notes … and Web

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IBM Blog – Notes …IBM Blog – Notes …

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IBM Blog – Notes … WebIBM Blog – Notes … Web

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DDM – Domino Domain MonitorDDM – Domino Domain Monitor

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DDM – Domino Domain MonitorDDM – Domino Domain Monitor

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Templates – The basics What does Lotus give us? Where to find more? Some of the best templates money can’t buy The Final Word

The extremely obvious– The developerWorks Lotus Sandbox– LDD Articles– OpenNTF

Not so obvious– The Lotus Community Blogs– Business Partners – both free and commercial– Journals – THE VIEW, Databased Advisor

Where to find more?Where to find more?

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The developerWorks Lotus SandboxThe developerWorks Lotus Sandbox

The “original” place to download templates andother code

Not community-oriented Not updated that often IBM is placing code on

OpenNTF

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What Is Open Source Software?What Is Open Source Software?

Open source software is …– Software for which the underlying programming code is

available to the users so that they may read it, make changes to it and build new versions of the software incorporating their changes

– Free programs created through the collaborative efforts of programmers from around the world

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The OpenNTF SiteThe OpenNTF Site

Projects (240+)– Complete Applications– Application Components– And now Composite Applications

Code Bin (1,500+)– LotusScript– Java– JavaScript– @Formulas

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Other Stuff on the OpenNTF SiteOther Stuff on the OpenNTF Site

Application Catalog– Includes many non-OpenNTF but still free applications

RSS is everywhere– Use it to keep up with a projects, new template releases, new

Code Bin submissions

Rate code and projects– Social Networking really works!

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Seven-Step Program for Deploying TemplatesSeven-Step Program for Deploying Templates

Download a template Sign the template – or better yet “clean” it File Database New or

File Application New (Notes 8) Configure ACL Configure application Make customizations if you like (and because

you can) Use your new application

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Not Everything Is Perfect …Not Everything Is Perfect …

Your mileage may vary … Many templates lack documentation Some have not been updated in a while Some OpenNTF projects are “Rated” while

others aren’t Lack of screen shots and other collateral

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Community BlogsCommunity Blogs

Ben Langhinrichs Codestore Nathan Freeman Matt White Ben Poole Rocky Oliver Jerry Carter Julian Robichaux

Alan Bell Alan Lepofsky Mikkel Heisterberg Chris Blatnick Tim Tripcony Ulrich Krause Chris Toohey

To name just a few …

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!! HELP !!!! HELP !!

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!! HELP !!!! HELP !!

Head Chefs: Ulrich Krause, Thomas Schulte Type: Complete Notes Client Application What is it?

– Help Desk application for IT support staff

What can I do with it?– Full-featured Help Desk application– Easily convert an email to a help ticket– Multi-lingual

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IT Help DeskIT Help Desk

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Head Chef: Brian Green Type: Complete Notes Client ApplicationWhat is it?

– IT Help Desk

What can I do with it?– Full featured help desk

This and other downloads: www.automatedlogic.com/domino

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(e)Help(e)Help

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(e)Help(e)Help

Head Chef: Stephane Eursels Type: Complete Notes Client Application What is it?

– Full featured help desk application

What can I do with it?– Capture and track IT support tickets in centralized manner– Integrate user/customer in resolution workflow

Design based on (e)notes core

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(e)Notes Core(e)Notes Core

Head Chef: Stephane Eursels Type: Notes Client Application Framework What is it?

– Framework for building Notes client applications

What’s it all about?– Foundation for building Notes client applications– Extremely flexible configuration– Highly integrated with other “(e)” modules– Geared for intermediate or advanced developers– Origins in France, but translated into English

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domBulletindomBulletin

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Head Chef: Michael Bourak Type: Complete Notes Client and Web

Application What is it?

– Discussion database

What can I do with it?– Host multiple discussion rooms– Organize posts by topic– Enable voting

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OpenNTF Mail ExperienceOpenNTF Mail Experience

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OpenNTF Mail Experience – More PreferencesOpenNTF Mail Experience – More Preferences

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OpenNTF Mail ExperienceOpenNTF Mail Experience

Head Chefs: Vince Schuurman and (formerly)Bruce Elgort

Type: Lotus Notes Mail Template What is it?

– Alternate mail template for Notes 7 and 8

What can I do with it?– Additional views, e.g., by size– Additional features in Outline – configure what shows– Quick stuff– Default reply actions – single click to start most replies– Include vCard in outgoing messages– Color-coded Calendar Categories

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DominoWikiDominoWiki

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Head Chef: Ben Poole Type: Web Application What is it?

– Domino-based wiki Web site

What can I do with it?– User-generated documentation library– Enable community interaction without heavy overhead (e.g.,

authentication, content moderation)– Customize appearance with different themes

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OpenLogOpenLog

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OpenLogOpenLog

Head Chef: Julian Robichaux Type: Logging Utility What is it?

– The emerging standard event logging framework for all of your Notes databases, agents, scripts, and Web pages

What can I do with it?– Log errors in Notes and Web applications– Log events (both good and bad)– Set email notifications– Subscribe to RSS Error Feeds

FlowFlow

Head Chef: Corey Davis Type: Logging Utility What is it?

– Another Event and Error Logging framework

What can I do with it?– Log errors in Notes and Web applications– Log events (both good and bad)– Set email notifications

Different from OpenLog– Less document heavy – logs multiple events to single

document (like log.nsf)

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Domino Team MailboxDomino Team Mailbox

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Domino Team MailboxDomino Team Mailbox

Head Chef: Brian Green Type: Complete Notes Client Application What is it?

– Stripped-down mail template optimized for shared mail

What can I do with it?– Shared mailbox that isn’t a hack of standard mail template– Auto-respond to inquiries to [email protected] or

[email protected]– Centrally manage large collection of mailboxes using

administration interface

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Vacation RequestVacation Request

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Vacation RequestVacation Request

Head Chefs: Gary Cousins, Bob Brodsky Type: Complete Notes and Web Application What is it?

– Leave tracking and vacation and request system

What can I do with it?– Book time off, vacation/holiday requests– Enable management approval of requests– Automatically track remaining leave against annual allowance– View scheduled leave in a calendar format– Update the somewhat dated UI – it is open source remember

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VIC CRMVIC CRM

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VIC CRMVIC CRM

Head Chef: Dave Leigh Type: Complete Notes Client Application What is it?

– Customer Relationship Management suite

What can I do with it?– Manage customer contacts, meetings, phone calls, and other

correspondence– Track contracts and warranty information for your customers– Manage schedule for all sales activity

This and other downloads: www.cratchit.org

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Import (AGE Consulting – Australia)Import (AGE Consulting – Australia)

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Import (AGE Consulting – Australia)Import (AGE Consulting – Australia)

Creator: AGE Computer Consultancy Type: Data Utility What is it?

– Tool for importing Excel Data into Notes

What can I do with it?– Import spreadsheet data to update *existing* Notes documents– Useful when LEI or Notrix is overkill but you don’t want to write a

custom import agent– Define key matching, update behavior, field mapping, data

transformations, et. al.– Schedule recurring import jobs to run automatically– Download: www.agecom.com.au/agecom.nsf/ProductsByTitle

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Spreadsheet Import Wizard (Spreadsheet Import Wizard (THE VIEWTHE VIEW))

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Spreadsheet Import Wizard (Spreadsheet Import Wizard (THE VIEWTHE VIEW))

Creator: Thierry Seunevel Type: Data Utility What is it?

– Lightweight tool for importing Excel Data into Notes

What can I do with it?– Quickly import basic spreadsheet data into Notes– Map spreadsheet columns to form fields or view

columns– Save import profiles for later reuse

This and other downloads: www.eview.com

THE VIEW, March/April 2007

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BlogSphere V3BlogSphere V3

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Head Chef: Declan Lynch Type: Complete Client and Web Application What is it?

– Feature-rich Notes-based blogging platform similar to IBM Blog template

What can I do with it?– Create your own blog using Lotus Notes– Quickly set up attractive Web interface using pre-defined skins– Easily switch between multiple configurations– Include integrated photo albums

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NOTESurvey CentralNOTESurvey Central

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NOTESurvey CentralNOTESurvey Central

Head Chefs: Rocky Oliver Type: Notes Client Application What is it?

– User-configurable survey creation and capture tool

What can I do with it?– Leverage advanced DXL techniques to build survey forms

without code– Questions can be multiple choice combobox, radio button, or

checkbox

Download: www.lotusgeek.com/SapphireOak/LotusGeekBlog.nsf/downloads/ROLR-7B5TPD

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eTimesheetseTimesheets

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eTimesheetseTimesheets

Head Chef: Rob Wills Type: Web Application What is it?

– Human resource tool for capturing and processing timesheets

What can I do with it?– Enable user entry of hours worked and mileage data– Use an auditable approval workflow process– Interface with a separate ERP system– Entirely Web-based

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DocMasterDocMaster

DocMasterDocMaster

Creator: Chris Doig Type: Notes Client What is it?

– Single Database Document Manager

What can I do with it?– Store documentation, attachments, links– Set up basic workflow for managing document completion

percentage, expiration, etc.– Control access for reading and editing documents– Re-use many of the code tricks from the template in other

applications

Download: www.chrisdoig.net

DomainPatrolDomainPatrol

DomainPatrolDomainPatrol

Head Chef: Peter Narlund Type: Administration Utility What is it?

– Tool for analyzing server databases and making mass changes to various settings (“catalog.nsf on steroids”)

What can I do with it?– Collect information about all databases in your environment– Review database security and other settings– Effect changes to most database settings from within interface– Free version of scanner runs only from workstation – server-

based scanner sold as commercial (nsf design is open)

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Conaex Admin PlatformConaex Admin Platform

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Conaex Admin PlatformConaex Admin Platform

Head Chefs: Heinrich Hilbert, Marc Fischer Type: Administration Utility What is it?

– Tool for analyzing server databases and making mass changes to various settings

What can I do with it?– Collect information about all databases across an entire

environment from a single server– Review database security and other settings– Effect changes to most database settings from within interface– Set up recurring “task” definitions to carry out maintenance

operations on a schedule

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Agent Monitor (DAF)Agent Monitor (DAF)

Head Chef: Jörg Reck Type: Administration Utility What is it?

– Utility to show data on all the scheduled agents on a server

What can I do with it?– Collect information about all scheduled agents on a server into

a single database– Enable/disable, re-assign servers agents directly from the app– Reassign server

Design based on Domino Application Framework

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Domino Application FrameworkDomino Application Framework

Head Chef: Jörg Reck Type: Notes Client and Web Application

Framework What is it?

– Framework for Notes and Web applications

What can I do with it?– Use as a standard application foundation for Notes Client and

Domino Web applications – Highly configurable

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AGE – Agent ManagerAGE – Agent Manager

Head Chefs: AGE Computer Consultancy Type: Administration Utility What is it?

– Utility to show data on all the scheduled agents on a server

What can I do with it?– Collect information about all scheduled agents on a server into

a single database– Enable/disable, re-assign servers agents directly from the app– Download: ww.agecom.com.au/agecom.nsf/ProductsByTitle

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Conflict ManagerConflict Manager

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Conflict ManagerConflict Manager

Head Chef: Hynek Kobelka Type: Administration Utility What is it?

– Tool for locating and resolving replication/save conflicts on an entire server

What can I do with it?– Check all databases on a server for replication conflicts– View and resolve conflicts from within the application

Download: www.pylonware.com/www/en/download.jsp

ASND Export FacilityASND Export Facility

ASND Export FacilityASND Export Facility

Head Chef: Sean Burgess Type: Data Utility What is it?

– Reporting tool for Notes/Domino Data

What can I do with it?– Define and save report definitions that can be shared and

re-used– Use formula- or form-based criteria for selecting data sets– Include advanced formatting such as text colors and column

titles

Note: Integrated into SuperNTF!

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Qenos Workflow Application FrameworkQenos Workflow Application Framework

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Qenos Workflow Application FrameworkQenos Workflow Application Framework

Head Chefs: Mark Demicoli and Ray Thomas Type: Notes Client Application Framework What is it?

– Complete Notes client workflow application framework

What can I do with it?– Workflow-enable any Notes application– Control all aspects of workflow through extensive configuration– Customize notifications for each workflow stage– Track and secure each step in the workflow process

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wfNote – Simple Workflow Plug-inwfNote – Simple Workflow Plug-in

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Head Chef: Vilhjalmur Helgason Type: Notes Client Application Component What is it?

– Simple, yet flexible, workflow module for Lotus Notes

What can I do with it?– Sequential approval, conditional branching, approval

delegation, and multiple approvers– Define the next task, mail to be sent, approver, and additional

approvers using either simple dialog list or complex @Formula– Easily test and fine-tune workflow using special utility

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OpenSliceOpenSlice

Head Chefs: Tim and Laurette Rynne Type: Notes Client and Web Application

Framework What is it?

– Application framework for building Notes and Web applications

What can I do with it?– Use as a standard application foundation for Notes Client and

Domino Web applications – Highly configurable

Download: www.openslice.com

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Audit Manager/Trigger HappyAudit Manager/Trigger Happy

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Audit Manager/Trigger HappyAudit Manager/Trigger Happy

Head Chefs: Neil Gower – Trigger Happy: Damien Katz – UI work by Thomas Gumz

Type: Administration Utility What is it?

– Powerful centralized database change tracking utility

What can I do with it?– Record document opens, deletions, and field-level changes on

select databases– View activity history by several key attributes across entire

notes environment– Set up and maintain audit configurations centrally

Windows only!

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SuperNTFSuperNTF

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SuperNTFSuperNTF

Head Chef: Kevin Pettitt Type: Notes Client Application Framework What is it?

– Easy to use starter database framework

What can I do with it?– Use as a standard application framework for all your Notes

Client development efforts– Quickly create applications that embody many development

“best practices”– Easy enough for even novice developers to use– Cherry-pick individual code modules for use in other

applications

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Making Code Your Own (Sort Of)Making Code Your Own (Sort Of)

Arghhh!

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Making Code Your Own (Sort Of)Making Code Your Own (Sort Of)

Use a Ytria ScanEZ or borrow from SuperNTF to “Design Clean” templates:– Purge $UpdateBy field from all design elements– Goes beyond simply “signing” the database– Avoid cross-certificate notifications– Avoid ECL alerts– Hide “foreign” origin of open source code

User ActionBarEZ and ViewEZ to quickly change appearance of application– Enables mass changes to all action bar and view properties– Apply a whole new "skin" to hundreds of elements in one go– Make quick work of putting the new corporate colors everywhere

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ResourcesResources

THE VIEW (of course)– www.eview.com

Databased Advisor– http://databased.advisor.com

DominoPower– www.DominoPower.com

Domino Blogs via PlanetLotus.org– www.planetlotus.org

developerWorks Lotus– www.ibm.com/developerworks/lotus

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Parting ThoughtsParting Thoughts

Open source is a driver for custom development – Particularly for organizations with development talent but limited

software budgets

Demonstrate value with minimal investment– No/low cost “proof of concept” to help demonstrate value– Helps to justify funding further custom development or buying a

similar commercial application

Templates don’t have to be used “whole”– You can also mine them for code to use in other applications

Consider releasing your own templates– You get the satisfaction of “giving back” – It’s a way to gain notoriety, either for an individual or a company

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Parting ThoughtsParting Thoughts

OpenNTF assuming more Sandbox responsibilities– E.g., Composite Applications

Free templates can be gateways to commercial offerings– Commercial vendors can benefit from “competition”– No/low cost “proof of concept” to help demonstrate value, either

to justify funding further custom development or buying a similar commercial application

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Ask us anything…well, almost anything.

Q & A

ILUG 2008 Templates, Templates Everywhere

Technology

Transcript of ILUG 2008 Templates, Templates Everywhere