Getting Started with the Store Project

A few years ago I had a very busy month and was working on several web site projects at once.  All of these web sites needed many of the same features.  I decided there had to be a way to build these sites more efficiently.  I began using IIBuySpy and shortly after became a DotNetNuke addict.  Also at that time I was running a small community website with a custom portal framework I developed.  I wanted to switch that site to DotNetNuke, but needed a forum module with a few unique features.  A few months later I released my first module, Active Forums and started Active Modules, Inc.
 
I am now the Project Lead for the DotNetNuke Store Module.  I don't think many people realize the potential that exists in the Store module.  Robert Collins and his team really did a fantastic job on this module.  We should be very grateful that Robert and his team provided the community with such a great module.
 
It's not very often that you get to inherit a project that is as stable and well designed as the Store. Several people have asked me, "What are you doing working on a free module?"  And yes, I asked myself the same thing a few times as well.  I have three reasons and they are really pretty simple:

1. I have several years experience building e-commerce applications, but my business is now focused around community and business applications.  The Store module has a great foundation and will give me the ability to put my experience to use.
2. As a commercial module developer, we encounter issues/roadblocks/situations that other developers may not.  I feel the DotNetNuke project as a whole can benefit from these experiences.
3. It's time to give something back.  DotNetNuke has given me the ability to build a business that meets my needs and the needs of others.  This is a great way to say thank you!

Now that the boring introductions are out of the way, lets talk about the Store Project.  As you may have read in the forums a lot of work has gone into Store 2.0.  I am currently evaluating code and project setup.  The project was converted to VS 2005 and being converted to the Web Application Project model, which I prefer.  However, I know there are some bugs that need to be addressed in the current release.  My goal is to have a release for the Store within the next 30-45 days.  I will be making a decision in the next few days whether we will be working to get Store 2.0 released or an intermediate release leading up to Store 2.0.  I will of course let everyone know once this has been decided. 
 
I have several features I would like to add to the Store and will be looking in the forums for ideas from others.  I'm really looking forward to working with the community.

- Will