Integration with SparkleShare (FOSS Dropbox-like client)

[nicolasraoul]

SparkleShare is an open source Dropbox-like software with clients for Linux, Mac, Windows, Android.
As you can see in the screenshot below, the client is very neat (Windows/Mac/Linux).

It uses Git as a backend but is extensible to other backends. How about making an Alfresco backend?
We could use CMIS (or WebDAV) instead of Git.
Clients for all platforms are based on the same source code (Mono), so we would just have to implement the protocol layer once, and we do not have to care much about things like GUI.

That would make Alfresco much more attractive for users, with the ability to use their files without an Internet connection.
Any volunteers?

[img]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1QSDkzYY2vc/TXivzzuF4RI/AAAAAAAADaA/dNiExhF62eg/sparkleshare3.png[/img]

[zaizi]

I'm game. DM me details.

Ainga

[nicolasraoul]

Thanks so much for your interest Ainga!

I switched to another project, so I will not be able to contribute a lot of time to this project, but I can contribute in my free time.
Not much to add by now, except that:
- the Windows client of SparkleShare is not as polished as could be hoped, it needs some work.
- WebDAV seems more adapted to the filesystem paradigm than CMIS, and it will gather a larger community.
- Fork (no code change yet): https://github.com/nicolas-raoul/SparkleShare/tree/webdav

Cheers!
Nicolas

[chuawenching]

can i connect this to alfresco 3.4d webdav?

i think dropbox integration is for 4.0 and not available i think. any help?

[nicolasraoul]

Hi Chuawenching,

Once the client is developed, it should be able to work with any WebDAV server, including any version of Alfresco, for instance 3.4d, yes.
But the client is not developed yet, volunteers are needed 🙂

The idea we are discussing in this thread is NOT based on any Dropbox service.
While the client bears a resemblance with the Dropbox client, it is not the same software, and does not connect to the Dropbox servers.

The needs are:
- Allow Alfresco users to read/write their files when they are travelling and not connected to the Internet.
- Never trust any third-party company (some client recently had this strong requirement). In particular: no Dropbox/box.net/iCloud/SkyDrive

Cheers!
Nicolas Raoul

[chuawenching]

i see. are there already existing contributors working on this one?

probably can based on ideas of existing webdav clients and sync part? hmm?

wait, do you use c# to create this project? hmm how do you manage to get c# or .net working with mac, android, and all kind of devices?

[nicolasraoul]

There are no active contributor yet, just ideas 😞
You (or anyone) are very welcome to start! 🙂

Of course, as much as possible we should reuse code from existing WebDAV clients, for instance this one: http://www.re.be/webdav_sync/index.xhtml

Cheers!
Nicolas Raoul

[augustus]

Hey guys,

are you still serious with this project? If  yes please let me know, my company is willing to support it.

Thanks,
Ivan

[nicolasraoul]

While waiting for a Dropbox-like WebDAV or CMIS client, there are some tools that already allow users to view/edit Alfresco documents when offline.

The most promising one seems to be FTPbox. Its user interface is just like Dropbox, but it can connect to Alfresco's FTP interface.
There are a few other tools that could be used.
I have written a blog post about this:
http://aegif-labo.blogspot.jp/2012/04/alfresco-how-to-keep-working-even-when.html

Feedback welcome 🙂
Nicolas Raoul

[nicolasraoul]

Hi Ainga, augustus & everyone,

My company Aegif is starting developing this!
Here is our plan:

- UI: Sparkleshare
- CMIS client: DotCMIS (because SparkleShare is .NET and .NET is not too bad for portability)
- Sync to/from server
- It could be tempting to store our own small database of changes server-side, or have server-side code, but we want to avoid that.
- Testing on Alfresco first, best effort for other CMIS servers.

There are several different tasks to accomplish, so any help is very welcome:

- Modify "Add repository" dialog
- Sync from server (CMIS search to get recently modified files, and check more carefully for deleted files once in a while, or any better idea?)
- Sync to server (local database of checksums?)
- Check how DotCMIS does authentication
- Modify the wizard's tutorial and remove the name/email form
- if time allows: CMIS custom properties edition, via context menu in browser or text file besides each file

I forked SparkleShare (no changes yet), I suggest you fork my repo and send me pull requests there:
https://github.com/nicolas-raoul/SparkleShare

Don't hesitate to contact me at: nicolas.raoul at aegif.jp

Cheers!
Nicolas Raoul
http://nicolas-raoul.blogspot.com