"Open Sourcing" and Prayinjamat.com
Tariq Nisar Ahmed
As salamu alaykum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuhu,
http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/cathedral-bazaar/
I do not know if you have had a chance to read this book, but it is available on-line, The Cathedral and the Bazaar, by Eric Steven Raymond. The book discusses the development of Linux and the author's own applications as open source projects. He brings up a lot of concepts that are worth discussing in terms of this site, among which are:
1) People work best on problems that they perceive.
2) Applications thrive on multiple and parallel streams of thought from as many people as possible when certain rules are followed.
3) One of those rules is NOT that everyone must be on the same page at the same time.
4) But one of them IS making all the information available to all the people who perceive the problem so that each of them understands the problem and each of them can pursue individual solutions or work cooperatively as they please.
Just a few days ago I came across the Yahoo Maps API -- in fact, I came across our data in a Yahoo Maps API page that I accidentally created when I was geocoding that data on a 3rd party web site. There was a link that said "see your data on a map." I clicked, and presto, a gorgeous map.
So, when I say multiple and parallel streams of thought -- I mean that I want to encourage as much diversity of work on the site as people can handle within their own means. Work alone, work on teams, but work on the site.
I would love to see parallel code using the Yahoo Maps API. I would host it on the site right along with the Google Maps API code. And if a third environment or strategy is offered, I'll host it, too. Each one in its own subdomain, in sha Allah. Whichever one of the codes is strongest will also be hosted at the root level domain.
Furthermore, in sha Allah, I will make available on-line in an archive directory or subdomain of the site, ALL the code, graphics, and other files produced to date. In sha Allah, after I speak to the web host and determine whether it will be easier to give you access to subdirectories or subdomains, I will create the archive, and give each of you access who wants to be an active developer of the site.
One tip, to the extent that you run the main code, LJamat00001.html, or the form code, addJamat.html, from your own directories, you will probably need to get a Google Maps API key for that directory. The keys are free to obtain, and are easily substituted for the key used in the pages. That's Google's rule not mine.
As for the next big leap, I do not know if it will be possible for me to host both an Access database and a MySQL database on the site. I'll check with the web host on that, too, in sha Allah. If I can, and if people want to develop using each, I have no problem with that. But we have to choose one to start with, so do not be silent if the choice will matter to you.
A choice will be made. And it needs to be made soon.
Alhamdolillah, and only by His Grace, I have written my own parsing code for the MSA databases. I am ready to add over 1,000 jamat to the site, in sha Allah.
A final issue, I am not averse to the idea of giving lots of people permission to add data to the database, as some have suggested. But I am very leery of giving anyone permission to modify data that they themselves did not submit.
Each person who has access to everything, at the database level or at the site itself, that person sits on a password that guards the work of every person who contributes to this project. Right now there are two such people -- me and the web host. I will not extend permissions to the site on an unguarded basis. But I will not object to anyone who sets up a parallel database and makes that database open to all. Just make it open to me, too. :-) And if you do start such a database, feel free to use ours as a starting point.
A final promise, any change in code, graphics, marketing, etc. submitted by anyone that advances the site will be given full and timely consideration. And as rapidly as possible every enhancement will be added (and where applicable artifacts will be archived).
Jazak Allah khair for your work on this project. Each bit and pixel is appreciated. I make du'aa for you, and for the success of the site.
As salamu alaykum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuhu,
Tariq Ahmed
prayinj...@gmail.com
Tariq
created for the use of developers of this project. Chakir now has a
space in which to test his PHP.
And a short time ago, I submitted an application to SourceForge.net to
create an Open Source project there entitled prayinjamat.com. In sha
Allah, if the project is accepted, it may be a good means of advancing
our work as Muslim programmers may find it there.
The license is public domain.
Here is a copy of the detailed description submitted in the
application:
********************************************
Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem. (In the Name of Allah, the
Compassionate beyond all comparison, the always Merciful.)
This not-for-profit religious project is entitled prayinjamat.com and
has been hosted for the past 5-6 months at that URL. The project is
the first to attempt to provide users with Iqamah (congregational
prayer time) information for any masjid (mosque) or musalla (prayer
hall) anywhere in the world.
The site is currently written to conform to the Google Maps API.
Currently data for 122 sites is stored in a simple array contained in
code written solely in HTML and Javascript. That array is edited by
hand to reflect the most current data available.
That array and method of updating are now inadequate as data for over
1,000 additional sites has been collected. When the project leaves the
Beta stage it is expected that the site will contain between 2,000 and
10,000 sites, in sha Allah. For each site, complete prayer data would
mean as many as 5 prayer times x 365 days of the year (many masajid and
musallas update congregational prayer times on a weekly or other less
frequent schedule, so 365 is an upper limit per congregation).
Currently in development is code which will generate the Google Map and
other site content by drawing on MySQL-based databases. The databases
themselves are also being developed.
Data for the site is currently collected from users via forms that
combine HTML, Javascript, and PHP. Future data collection, processing,
and management are also under development.
Finally, every user interface has been under constant development since
the site was first launched.
One reason for taking the project to SourceForge users is that we
believe every feature of the site could be developed using multiple
approaches and technologies, ranging from alternate Map API such as
that offered by Yahoo, to alternate user interfaces, right down to
alternate icons used in conjunction with the Google Maps.
Handheld-device/cell phone applications are also viable, but have not
yet been planned for.
The site development team is committed to making all code and all files
used in the project 100% accessible to anyone who wishes to contribute
improvements in any facet of the work. A subdomain,
open.prayinjamat.com, is already operational and space has been created
for a new developer there. We have already given interested developers
complete sets of our data, and are willing to do so again.
Moreover, we applaud when we see a great idea -- improvements will
always be welcome, and every effort will be made to integrate those
improvements, even to the point of revamping the whole project.
And we will be completely satisfied if someone takes our work and
creates a perfect application on their own -- one that makes our
continued work unnecessary. Without going too much into theology --
such an outcome would confirm that our only reward for this work comes
from Allah.
[Just by way of clarification: Iqamah data is not the same as Adhan
data, which many sites already provide. The time each daily prayer
commences is the Adhan time, the Iqamah time is when a congregation
actually rises to pray. Adhan times are calculated from the position
of the sun. Iqamah times are selected by the congregation -- some
congregations always pray a certain number of minutes after the Adhan.
Many try to accomodate the work schedules of congregants. So Iqamah
data must be supplied by a very large number of people -- many of whom
will send in data via e-mail or other means. By contrast, many sites
offer Adhan times because any Adhan time is basically a calculation of
the sun's position -- if you have astronomical data, GPS coordinates,
and the right formula, you can tabulate Adhan times for virtually any
calendar date.]
Tariq
As salamu alaykum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuhu,
Alhamdolillah, our application to SourceForge.net was accepted! In sha
Allah, you can now visit this project there at
http://sourceforge.net/projects/prayinjamat-com/