Hi, all. This is my first post on the Labs blog and I intend to be an active member (ever heard that before?). I wish to dedicate this post to the Community Source found on https://www.coderesort.com/p/epicode/.

EPiCode is a Community Source project for modules related to EPiServer. It is run by BV Network AS and is not a part of EPiServer and all code is to be looked upon "as is". The idea behind it all is that if someone does something that someone could benefit from, you (someone) can share it on EPiCode - let me illustrate.

We made a small, but cute little plug-in that enables editors to set a Sort Index on multiple child pages in one batch - hence the name of the plug-in, Manage Children (seen on the screenshot). This piece of code would normally die a slow and painful death sitting alone in a Source Repository or on a lap top somewhere if it wasn't for EPiCode. Instead, all developers with access to EPiCode can download the plug-in and use in their customer projects, with full source! The plug-in was originally created for EPiServer version 4.x but through community effort it is now available for CMS 5. You could watch a screen cast of the plug-in at https://www.coderesort.com/p/epicode/. It is not a very advanced or complex plug-in but it saves time which you rather should spend on solving... well - something else.

As of today there are currently 16 modules/plug-ins on EPiCode ranging from the small, but cute Manage Children plug-in to a full blown, easy to use Web Part framework (for a complete list of all the modules go to https://www.coderesort.com/p/epicode/). What all of the modules have in common is that they are available with full source, making it easy for you to modify, change, fix or expand the module. Having changed, fixed or expanded the module we appeal to your community conscience that you contribute back (but there are no strings attached).

Even though EPiCode has been around for a while it has been sort of low key and not very attractive to those who just want to browse around and see the candy inside (sort of the feeling you have when trying to peek through the car window of Britney Spears' car when she is in town (not that you will experience that for a while though...). However, that has all changed and will so even more in the future - EPiCode has discovered screencasts! If you are new to EPiCode (or registered but haven't seen everything) you can now watch screencasts and screenshots of the various modules before you have to register and apply for membership. Remember that registering and signing up is free and I guarantee that you will find something useful in there.

Until next time...