Okay, first off, I am a potential (likely) DNN user. I'm currently looking around for various community based solutions, in addition to general CMS tools (primarily site-wide user authentication). My goal is to create a niche based portal, which includes "social networking" and other community features. Basically fully functional group homepages/clubs, alongside generic forums, etc. I've looked around quite a bit, and DNN is the top choice. Cost is an issue.
I have researched a few DNN based add-on module solutions such as Active Social, SmartSocial/Smart-thinker, etc.
I would like to put forth the suggestion, and get any information available as to DNN's potential future plans for incorporating such features into their base product.
Here's my thoughts on the subject:
1) A third party add-on is a solid solution, however, a built-in solution is better for all end users (primarily due to future upgrading/costs/licenses/compatibility, etc.). Additionally, by nature it would work seemlessly with existing DNN features such as events, blogs, wiki, forums, etc. Lastly, by incorporating it into the base DNN product as a module, an end user will not have to worry if an add-on provider discontinues support for their product.
2) There's clearly a market for this amongst existing and future DNN users. Drupal and Joomla (as well as DNN) have shown strong demand for this type of feature. This feature benefits general p2p social networking setups, niche based p2p social networking setups, small sites that want to provide group homepages/clubs without the site owner having to create each by hand, as well as countless in-house/intranet type setups like school districts wanting to have a school-by-school or department-by-department group area, etc.
3) It is one substantial gap in an impressive base DNN product, but at the same time, DNN has most of the tools already in place to provide this feature. Basically all that's missing are some interface/table structure to allow users to have multiple "group" home pages. Additionally, obviously some interlinking of content and permissions would be required such as allowing a group creatore to add/moderate a group forum, adding group level event calanders, group blog, group wiki, and request to join group sent/approved by group owner, send an invite, public/private settings, group members list, etc. Notice that nearly all the big tools are already in place, and it's mostly a matter of connecting those tools in a "group" fashion. Granted, it's not super easy, but group home pages/group owners really are one of the last missing DNN pieces.
-Right now, DNN has all the tools in place for an end user to create his own home page, blogs, profile, etc., etc. What's missing is the ability to allow end users to form their own group home pages/tools.
4) Adding these features will take DNN (as a product) up one more substantial notch. Drupal, Joomla, and other competitors typically don't have this built in. However, it is often one of the most requested "advanced" features, with active module developers creating solid add-ons. If DNN adds this feature, existing users will take advantage of it, and potential new users will likely come to DNN just because of it. However in the case of Drupal, Joomla, and DNN, you see issues where the third party add-ons become obsoleted over time when the base product upgrades. This is a general rule, not a set-in-stone observation, but that is the trend over time. Housing the module within DNN, eliminates this problem.
5) While this may hurt some third party solutions, that's not a reason to not include it into DNN base modules. Additionally, users would always have the choice of using the DNN base social module, or going with a third party solution (just like they do now with the forums for example).
6) Lastly, for now, I do have one solid suggestion. I've noticed that the SmartSocial add-on is now free, and it appears the developer is going in an open-source direction with it (with the intent of allowing other developers to carry on from his base structure). I really like what I've seen from the SmartSocial product itself, and with a few more add-ons (group level calendars, group level "group only" forum created when group owner opts to create it - not on group creation), it would be a solid base for a DNN incorporated module. My suggestion (if no one wants to build one from scratch into DNN) is for DNN to work with SmartSocial to integrate it as a base feature module, and gather a support team to further develop that module into DNN base modules. (I realize the SmartSocial developer reads these forums, probably doesn't have time to develop it on his own anymore, but might make a solid advisor on the project). This also benefits the SmartSocial developer, because now other developers will be adding functionality to his product (which in-turn could benefit his poker site), while at the same time keeping the Social tools updated with the DNN updates.
Finally, on a side subject, can the existing DNN setup already do this, and I just don't realize it yet? In other words, can subportals be auto created by a general end user, coupled with their own forum, event module, blogs, etc. If so, any advice is appreciated. I'd be interested in seeing how that scales on a larger basis, and what kinds of permissions would allow a subportal creator to moderate their own forums,/blogs/wikis but not the general forums, etc. Additionally can such a "subportal" creator add members to their subportals, and what features are in place to allow this (such as join requests, etc.)? I'm talking DNN community edition, not professional. If it can already do these things (or most of them), it would be good if DNN had a module/documentation available for this type of setup.