What is AtomPub?

AtomPub is an established standard for editing web resources (RFC 5023). Through AtomPub, content and media can be retrieved and edited with ease. Many content management systems have started implementing the standard, including WordPress as of version 2.3. Movable Type and TypePad, the targeted import environments, have added official support as of the beginning of this year.

 

What would an AtomPub-based Movable Type / TypePad Importer Bring to WordPress?

The number one added benefit of an AtomPub-based importer would be convenience. Currently, importing from Movable Type / TypePad requires an export file to be created. While uploading this file is easy enough, the process could be simplified.

By importing through AtomPub, only the URL location of the former blog and login credentials are needed; similar to the way the current Blogger importer works. The importer would be able to retrieve all required content information and complete the process with a single click, entirely over the internet.
 

My Proposed Solution 

-  Import all content information (posts, pages, categories, tags, etc) from an AtomPub-based Movable Type / TypePad installation in as few clicks as possible.

- Investigate providing a media import option. This option, if feasible, would import all media (pictures, etc) from a TypePad / Movable Type installation into WordPress 2.5's new media manager, copying the content to /wp-content as needed.

- Investigate the possibility of extending AtomPub-based importers to other blogging platforms.
 

Timeline of Project Completion

May 30th - My WordPress environment is configured with a page for importing via AtomPub. The target import environments (MovableType, TypePad) are configured and ready for AtomPub testing.

June 13th - The importer is asking for log in credentials and displaying an array of the posts / other details retrieved from the AtomPub website.

June 27th - The importer is successfully converting the AtomPub information into posts, comments, etc within WordPress.

July 4th - The importer has been prepped for an inclusion in WordPress core. All testing and enhancements will now be made for core with the feedback of WordPress testers.

July 11th - The importer should be in core by this point. Testing and feedback period officially begins.

July 25th - Target for first deliverable of enhancements / bug fixes suggested by WordPress testers. If media importing is feasible, this deliverable will add support for importing media. Continue fixing bugs and listening to feedback of WordPress testers.

August 8th - Target for second deliverable of enhancements / bug fixes suggested by WordPress testers. At this point no further enhancements will be made and the sole focus from this point on is bug testing / fixing.

August 18th - Target for last round of bug fixes. At this point, all known bugs should be fixed. While the Summer of Code is over at this point, continue monitoring Trac for bug reports related to the AtomPub importer.

Additional Information

AtomPub RFC Spec: http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc5023.txt

WordPress' AtomPub Support: http://codex.wordpress.org/AtomPub

Movable Type's Announcement of AtomPub Support: http://www.movabletype.org/2007/12/atompub_support_and_new_edit_a.html