How can my state participate?

The Collaborative Steering Committee is accepting letters of interest from state and regional agencies who want to join the Collaborative starting July 1, 2008. Letters via email are appropriate for submissions.

What level of services does the Collaborative provide and what will our state need to do?

Currently individual states are responsible for hosting their own server(s) and installing/configuring the Plinkit software. In addition to providing a Plinkit template for use, the Collaborative provides a Plinkit Administrator's Manual to each partner state (online and PDF versions) as well access to a mailing list and other online resources (preview) to help the support the process of installing, configuring, and maintaining Plinkit.

States also have the option of using a third-party hosting company. It is strongly recommended that the selected company be comfortable with installing and maintaining open source software and specifically that it has experience in hosting the Zope application server.

States are also responsible for coordinating the deployment of Plinkit and training individual libraries in using and maintaining their individual Plinkit site. To assist with this, Collaborative partners also receive a copy of the Plinkit Training Manual (available in Word, PDF, and HTML formats) including future updates, etc.

Does the Collaborative provide centralized hosting and/or Centralized technical support?

While this is not a service that the Collaborative currently provides it is not unreasonable to expect that the Steering Committee will discuss this possibility in the future.

What kind of people resources are required to implement and deploy Plinkit ?

The number of people to manage Plinkit for your state will depend to a large extent on the number of libraries you plan to have use Plinkit. Smaller states may only need a half-time systems administration person (or less) to manage their initial Plinkit installation, ongoing support and upgrade tasks, and the creation of new Plinkit sites.

Similarly, depending on the deployment schedule you develop, another half-time person can market Plinkit and train library staff to update and maintain their individual Plinkit site. For larger states and/or for aggressive schedules, more resources would be required.

Does the Collaborative provide any training?

Currently the Collaborative provides an electronic copy of the Plinkit Administrator's Manual to each partner. Additional resources (preview) and a mailing list are made available through the Collaborative website (access is limited to partners that join the Collaborative). If additional training is needed, there are number of professional Plone instructors and consulting firms that will provide training.

Is it possible pay extra to have the Collaborative technical support and training directly to our libraries?

While this option is not currently available it not unreasonable to expect that the Steering Committee will discuss this possibility in the future.

How can I keep up with project announcements, etc?

You can:

• Visit the website regularly to check out the announcements on the home page and/or read our blog.
• Subscribe to an RSS feed for announcements and/or the blog.

What Software Does Plinkit use?

Plinkit is based on Plone, an open source content management system. Plone is extremely flexible and customizable. In addition to the core features that come with Plone, a number of Plone Products (or "add-ons") and custom templates are used to create a full Plinkit site.

Plone itself makes use of the Zope application server -- a robust, well-supported open source software package written in the Python programming language.

What hardware does Plinkit require?

While the hardware requirements will depend somewhat on the number of Plinkit sites you plan to host you should expect to use a "robust" server. Something along the lines of a Dual 3 GHz XEON with 2GB of RAM with plenty of disk would be a reasonable set up.

What is the history of Plinkit?

In 2003, Plinkit began as a two-year LSTA grant, "InformACTion", with the goals of providing content management tools, great web site subject collections, and ways to deliver vital community information through small and medium-size public libraries in Oregon. InformACTion was supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Oregon State Library and sponsored by the Multnomah County Library under the direction of Eva Miller.

During this phase of the project, the hardware and software infrastructure was put in place, the initial Plinkit template and content was developed, and partner libraries were identified and trained to use Plinkit.

In the fall of 2005, the Plinkit project was transferred to Library Development Services of the Oregon State Library. Darci Hanning, the newly hired Technology Development Consultant,  began her adventure with Plone and Plinkit. A technical evaluation of Plinkit was completed and work began in upgrading Plone, identifying and implementing content and template improvements, creating a training manual for library staff, and fleshing out the Oregon Plinkit site as a resource for library staff.

In the spring of 2006, discussions for a multi-state effort led to the creation of the Plinkit Collaborative. As of December 2007, nearly 100 libraries in Colorado, Illinois, Oregon and Texas were using Plinkit as their website.  More libraries continue to sign up for the project.