Synopsis: A mechanism for exchanging pattern language meta-data with other systems, via a central aggregation service, such as PatternSeer.

• A standard interface and reference implementation of exporting rich meta-data to other systems, specifically a cross-site pattern aggregator.
• An editor plugin which would allow the user to easily link from one pattern / case study / scenario to another, within or across sites.

Contact: yish

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Rationale

Linking cases, patterns and scenarios is critical to the development of the pattern language. Users need to do this easily within the editor.

Different groups store patterns on different sites, and need to be able to query and link across sites.

Specification

• Identify a protocol and data format for exchange of pattern meta-data between sites. This would include:
  • Summary description of pattern: name, author, date, summary, copyright, related patterns, etc.
  • Structure of pattern language
  • Full pattern in PLML
  • backlinks (aka pingbacks)
• Write a reference implementation of that protocol for this system.
• Write a plugin that uses to protocol to search and link patterns from within the editor.