[TYPO3-ect] Lauching the "Partner Framework" project

[David Bruehlmeier]

Dear ECT enthusiasts,

I would like to officially launch the "Partner Framework" project as 
part of the ECT.

What is it about? Well, the "Partner Framework" aims at creating a 
future-proof solution for the handling of "Partner", which could be 
either a real person, a company, a club, a group of persons, etc. In 
TYPO3 today, the handling of such data holds a variety of issues: It is 
redundantly stored (even in core tables), it's based on a poor data 
model and (maybe as a consequence) there are many extensions trying to 
improve these shortcomings.

The "Partner Framework" is meant to be a real effort in "Extension 
Coordination" with the clear goal to integrate as many of the current 
extensions in this area as possible.

I have created a project proposal on the wiki: 
http://wiki.typo3.org/index.php/Partner_Framework and I invite you to 
join a broad discussion on this topic.

To start things off, I propose to focus on the following points, but 
please feel free to comment on any aspects and/or to change the proposal 
in the wiki.

* A Name
I have proposed "Partner Framework" with the following ideas in mind: 
"Address" handling seems to go not far enough in my mind. The project 
should cover more than mere address handling, e.g. it should also be 
possible to handle relationships between partners, handle a number of 
contact-information (such as e-mail addresses, phone number, etc.). 
That's how I came to the term "Partner", as a neutral word for either 
"Business Partners" such as companies or real "Persons". The term 
"Framework" should stress the fact that the solution is extendable and 
should be used as a basis for further applications using "Partner"-data

* A Vision
Please comment on the short vision statement I have proposed on the 
wiki. Can you share this vision? Does it cover the relevant aspects? Or 
does it go too far / not far enough?

* A Team
When the discussion about the basics is done, we need people to make it 
happen! :-) So far, five people have expressed their interest in joining 
the development of the Partner Framework. If you would like to join as 
well, please let it be known!

I am looking forward to your feedback!

Dave