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Is N2 CMS the best solution for ASP.NET MVC projects?

Wiki Link: [discussion:54196]

Topics: Developer Forum

Leapfrog Apr 23 2009 at 1:31 AM	There appears to be a groundswell of support for the new ASP.NET MVC framework but there are still no serious contenders for a CMS that truly supports this framework. Oxite appears to be going nowhere fast and everything else is still in development. N2 is in the unique position of being the only fully fledged CMS that can support MVC. However MVC still seems like a second class citizen in this space. Yes we have the very basic example of an MVC implementation but this is a poor cousin to the Forms-based Templates example. Creating new modules is intuitive and easy in N2 so initially I don’t think there’s the need to recreate the all the templates for the MVC examples but demostrating globalisation and other nuts and bolts stuff should be there especially features that are a part of the fixed editor menu. Everywhere I look people are crying out for a real CMS to support MVC. N2 has the potential to fill that space if it can be a little friendlier.

libardo Coordinator Apr 23 2009 at 5:58 PM	Porting the templates to MVC would be fun and I don't think it would be very much work. However I don't have the time right now =(

smason Apr 24 2009 at 9:15 AM	In my experience the Templates project shouldn't be too difficult to port to MVC, in fact you can just take many of the templates as they are now and drop them into an MVC project with little (no?) modification. Things like Globalisation seem to drop in and work in pretty much the same way if you follow the docs. I'm not sure what you mean by the "Fixed editor menu"? If you mean the pulldown CMS edit menu when previewing pages then that can just be dropped in as the usual web control (assuming you're using the WebForms View Engine that is), it works fine as it doesn't require to be in a runat="server" form.

smason Apr 24 2009 at 9:21 AM	Sorry, that's not to say that it wouldn't be nice to see MVC promoted more for N2! It's just going to take time and effort to get it there. I'm developing any new projects exclusively in N2 MVC and submit patches when I can, but there's a lot that still needs to be done. An MVC-specific Templates project would be a real boon if someone with some time would take on the task.

smason Apr 24 2009 at 12:12 PM	Hmm, my 3rd post in a row to this topic! I've spoken to various people in my company and convinced them to let me work on getting an MVC based Templates project up and running and donated back to the N2 project. libardo - would you be able to contact me off-list to discuss? My details should be on my codeplex profile..

jamesbroome Apr 24 2009 at 2:41 PM	We're also just starting a new project based on Asp.Net MVC, using N2 as our CMS system and SharpArchitecture as our overall solution architecure. I've just posted about why I like N2, hopefully we'll also be in a position to submit back MVC related goodness as we continue. James

libardo Coordinator Apr 24 2009 at 11:24 PM	@smason: interesting, most interesting. I used the codeplex form to ping you. In any case it's cristian.libardo on gmail. I'd have a couple of ideas about things I'd like to change if the templates were to take a fork. A better name for starters. @james: I really enjoyed reading your post =) I'd love to read about your adventures, and any goodness that comes out of them.

smason Apr 25 2009 at 12:35 AM	Thanks, I've pinged you back! I've got a couple of ideas of my own but no opinions on a better name :) Nice post James, I'm sure you won't be disappointed by N2. I look forward to your future posts on the subject

esteewhy Apr 25 2009 at 11:46 AM	@libardo A better name for starters n2cms => n2cmf ('f' for framework) N2.Templates => n2cms y not ? ;-)

libardo Coordinator Apr 26 2009 at 9:04 AM	Haha I'll just go register that domain =). But I think you might be right. It's the other things and odd modules that need a name.

theonlylawislove May 14 2009 at 9:24 PM	Will N2 be pushing support for droppable parts in the MVC template?