Microsoft has revamped its fledgling CodePlex community development portal, implementing a handful of new features prioritized by CodePlex users through the Web site's issue-tracking and feedback page.
Among the changes is a new feature allowing visitors to view source code directly on the site, without downloading files to their PCs.
The simplified, online source-code viewing was the single most-requested feature in CodePlex's issue tracker, the mechanism that CodePlex's developers are using to collect feedback. CodePlex users are invited to vote on the issues they consider most critical.
"I can't tell you how helpful the voting has been in helping us prioritize the work that we do," James Newkirk, CodePlex's program manager, said in a blog post about the recent update.
Another new feature is optional advertising. Project managers can include ads on their project pages, with all of the proceeds going to project owners to support their development work. Unsurprisingly, Microsoft is steering clear of Google's AdSense: CodePlex advertising will be run through Kanoodle's BrightAds.
Microsoft opened CodePlex in beta form in May, inviting developers to host "shared" source projects on the site. The site is part of Microsoft's broader effort to tap into some of the advantages of the open-source software development model, such as the enthusiast community that forms around popular projects.
More than 800 projects are now live on CodePlex, ranging from technical undertakings like creating a Python implementation for .Net to more lighthearted projects, such as a .Net version of Tetris. The most popular project is an AJAX Control Toolkit.
Microsoft is deploying new versions of the CodePlex on a roughly monthly schedule. The next update is due Feb. 20.
|
10 Letdowns From The Facebook IPO Filing It may make a lot of its employees millionaires, but Facebook's IPO filing was disappointing in a few areas. |
|
Seven Hot Business Apps For Mac OS X Macworld/iWorld, the new name for the Macworld expo, featured the first OS X Zone. The sold-out section of the showroom floor was dedicated to exhibitors with software and accessories for Apple's Mac desktops and laptops. |
|
The New Face Of Linux Distros In 2012 From specialized OSes for fixed functions like kiosks or security, to revamped GUIs on general operating systems, Linux desktops in 2012 are taking on a new look. |
 More
Slide Shows |
- Microsoft Invites More Projects Into Shared-Source CodePlex
- Microsoft Wades Into Wiki Waters
- Developers Flock To Google's SourceForge Rival
- Microsoft Details Windows-On-ARM Development Efforts
- Appcelerator Extends Mobile App Dev Reach With Cocoafish Buy
- Microsoft Taps Cisco Exec To Manage Public Sector Business
- Microsoft Sets Feb. 29 For Windows 8 Consumer Preview Release
- The Importance of Partner Enablement in a Changing Software Industry
- The Cloud Computing Opportunity – How to Effectively Tap into the Future of IT
- Seize the Cloud! Proven Near-Term Tactics From Successful Service Providers: Hear the Inside Secrets from the fastest growing $2m+ MSPs
- Open Source and the Channel: A Perfect Pairing
