Drupal

Just a quick post to save anyone else that runs into this. If you've created something like ajax.php to handle some minor requests outside of your primary Drupal install but you need access to things like the $user object or the PHP $_SESSION variables, you can simply bootstrap Drupal at the top of ajax.php as you need:

I can't stand the over-use of contrib modules when they just aren't necessary. When a visitor loads your Drupal front page, all of your modules are opened and read by the server whether they affect the front page or not. PHP searches files for hooks that need to be fired, a huge number of database requests are made that don't necessarily have a purpose, and on the list goes. Why use modules that perform tasks already available to you such as including a JS library in your theme's folder, firing a trigger/action when a user logs in, or building your own custom content type?

The function behind the $node object is node_load(). This brings the $node object into play within your node.tpl.php template file and gives you the ability to display any variables from the node. Drupal handles everything behind the scenes -- access permissions, attached taxonomy, attached files, meta information, and more -- and hands you the gift wrapped object. In addition to the core variables, the node object also includes any added variables, such as CCK fields. 

It's always cool to see large organizations implement Drupal. Acronis (software vendor specializing in backup and disk utility apps) has leveraged the power of Drupal's core node and taxonomy systems, as well as powerful modules like webform, to provide their community with an intuitive, simple, and well-mapped system -- at a fraction of what it would cost them to have built it from scratch.

Check it out at http://kb.acronis.com/

I'm sure there are great arguments for starting out with nothing but core modules, and I'm sure there are even better arguments for every installation having all 32 of your favorites. This post, however, will outline a handful of modules to extend a basic Drupal 6 package into something that ought to have everything a client's website will need. The final package will  include hands-free SEO, dynamic blogging capabilities, search engine (and eye) friendly URLs, and a handful of other bonus features.

- Core Distro of Drupal 6