ReDBox 2
Introduction
ReDBox 2 represents a review and renewal of the ReDBox system. The program is driven by a number of things:
We've seen where parts of the system have stretched/broken
As different groups have brought the system into their environment we've seen where they've had issues around integration, and skills.
Big-ticket items
There are a few areas that we know cause annoyance to our users and resolving them
Merge ReDBox and Mint into the one system
There were reasons (long ago) that saw them stand alone - these reasons don't really exist anymore
The underlying platform is the same
Deliver a new harvest client
This will replace both the harvester system (used in Mint) and alerts system (used in ReDBox)
Key goals:
Improve error handling on incoming data
Improve the range of information sources that can be harvested
Improve the configuration of the harvester
Completely rewrite the curation sub-system
Curation of a large network of relationships just fails.
We want to create a more effective curation sub-system that also provides better levels of feedback
Standardise the technology mix used in the application stack so that customizing the application to your needs is simpler.
Make administration and upgrading of the system more user friendly
Renew the dataset forms
The current review forms use an older layout system that's difficult to maintain - it's time to drop that and move to the system created for Data Management Plans
The forms themselves are in need of review
Delivery
The elements described under the ReDBox 2 plan are quite broad and involve a substantial amount of work. We prefer to take bite-sized chunks so will take an approach that allows for
Delivering components that can be used in ReDBox 1 and 2
A safer and more trouble-free upgrade process
The following roadmap has been proposed to meet the afforementioned requirements:
Version 1.8
New curation manger
New harvest client
New administration application to allow for configuration via web interface
Simplification of the institutional builds concept by removing the requirement of using Maven
Version 1.9
Merge ReDBox and Mint into the one application
Version 1.10
Implement a fully featured API to improve the capabilities of integration with external systems as well as the potential to easily create custom portals.
Version 2
Re-working of back-end system (technology stack to be devised)