05-features.tex
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\section{Features}
\label{sec:spb}
%TODO: Paulo e Melissa
The new generation of the SPB portal is made up of a combination of collaborative softwares features. Some of these features were expanded or limited according to government requirements. Other required features, unavailable in these softwares, were developed and sent back to their official repository as contributions. As result, we have a platform which integrate and harmonize features like social networking, mailing list, version control system, content management and source code quality monitoring.
Our aim was to develop features reusing functions available in the collaborative softwares which integrate the platform. In addition, we treated to remaining this integration transparent to end users.
\subsection{Software, development tools and community}
In the new SPB portal, each software has a standard set of pages and tools. Besides the pages with help content and user support, a software has a section of download and version control and several mechanisms to manager the software development within the platform. These mechanisms includes git repository, wiki pages and issues tracking.
Focusing on the collaborative development, each software has pages and tools to support the dialog and communication between developers, users and enthusiasts. The software has its own mailing list, where its privacy can be moderated according to the maturity of the software in this aspect. It also has a related community, where you can find its members, a blog or any other relevant content made by the community and a summary of recent activities in the spaces of interaction of this software.
In order to assist decision-making, the new SPB has acquired assessment and statistical tools. Now, the users can rate the software using a score and comment, so this information is displayed to anyone. Moreover, the software dispose a statistic section containing values which are calculated through data provided by user and system.
The rule of administrator exist in the software and in its community. The administrator is responsible to moderate content to be published, members and comments from user rating. He is also the person who can make changes in the software homepage content.
\subsection{Software Catalog and global search}
Some available softwares on the platform are highlighted in the portal homepage, but the best way to index all softwares are by a searching in the Software Catalog. In this catalog, some search options like filters by kind of software or categories, sorting and score were developed to improve the navigation.
Expanding the scope of search to cover other kinds of content, the SPB team developed the global search tool. This tool integrates the search mechanisms provided by the collaborative softwares that make up the platform. Any user can find a public content in the context of social network, mailing list and software development.