iFAQ

iFAQ

Click Here to Go to the Main PageThe following questions are not, as the title of this page would imply, “frequently asked.” Instead, they are an amalgam of “occasionally asked,” and “what we think you’d ask, if you had asked.”

So, instead of “Frequently Asked Questions,” why don’t we call them “inFrequently Asked Questions”?

Questions:

Is the BMLT Fellowship-Approved?
No, and it never will be. That would hamstring project development to an unacceptable level. However, the project is designed to be used by registered NA Service bodies. As soon as an NA Service body downloads and installs the BMLT source, it becomes a part of the NA Service Structure.
How Much Does the BMLT Cost?

Nothing.

Nada.

Zip.

It’s Free.

The only costs are those you would already incur for hosting, domain registration, setup, etc. The BMLT is an open-source project that is completely free.

Additionally, the BMLT is designed to run on LAMP systems; the cheapest and most common type of Web service setup. It does not need any special configuration. Follow this link to find out about server requirements.

What Strings are Attached?
None. It is a completely open-source project. The code is provided absolutely free of any copyrights, trademarks, patents or even claims of ownership (besides a few small third-party open source snippets that we use for some internal services). In order to implement the BMLT, you need to download it in its entirety, so you have no dependence whatsoever on anything outside your Service body. That being said, it would be a good idea to keep an eye on this site for updates and bug fixes.
This Is Way Too Valuable to be For Real. What’s the “Catch”?
There is none. It was developed by an “old-fashioned” NA member, taught to “Pay God First.” NA gets dealt from “the top of the stack.”
Who Are You?
As of the writing of this iFAQ, the BMLT is the product of one single NA member, clean since 1980, and a professional software developer. This should clear it of the Seventh Tradition hurdle. It was designed by NA members, for NA members. We are actively seeking additional NA members with vision and talent to join in the BMLT project.
Are You Associated With Any of the Various “NA Service Orthodoxies”?
Absolutely not. This is a resource that is available to all NA members and Service bodies; regardless of whether or not they agree with any particular “Service platform.” It is a tool for Unity.
Is the BMLT Some Kind of Money-Making Venture? Will You Charge for Support?
Definitely not. The BMLT is only a tiny down payment on the tremendous debt owed to NA for over thirty years of Recovery. That being said, since there is no guaranteed level of support (what folks pay for), you can’t automatically assume support. THAT being said, we are sincerely interested in supporting this project for its entire lifespan, and invite more NA members to pitch in and help out.
Are You Associated With Google?
No. We simply use the Google Maps API. This is a free service provided by Google. We do not receive any special consideration from them, so there is no Seventh or, we believe, Sixth Tradition issue here.
Can You Get Rid of that Google Logo, Then?
No. The Google Maps API Terms of Service insist that it remain there. We believe that it is discreet enough, and ubiquitous enough, that it cannot be taken seriously as an endorsement.
How Difficult is the BMLT to Set Up?

Not so difficult, but you do have to have some ability to set up a CMS, like WordPress. You certainly don’t have to have the level of expertise necessary to write or extend the BMLT.

We provide an install wizard for the root server, and the “satellite” servers (“spokes”) can be simple, drop-in plugins for the three major CMS systems: WordPress, Joomla! and Drupal. We also provide a simple, standalone code sample in PHP, so that you can integrate it directly into your own site. Basically, if you can set up a WordPress site, you can set up a BMLT root server. If you already have a Web site, then the chances are good that you will be able to add the BMLT to your site fairly easily, giving you an amazing meeting search facility with very little effort.

Isn’t the BMLT Kinda…UGLY?
Yes, however, it has been designed to be very easily themed, using only CSS. We will be providing more documentation on this as time permits. Several implementations have already applied some modifications to it. If you feel like designing a theme for the BMLT, please contact us, and we’ll see about adding it to our project.
The user interface to the BMLT is Too Complicated!
We have already designed a simple BMLT interface for Webservants that want to avoid the full-functionality interactive interface. It is also possible to “weave” the full-interactive search into your own site. Everything in the BMLT uses standard HTTP GET calls, so you can write your own form to provide the URL to the BMLT. You don’t have to use our service. We also have options to directly export searches in CSV, XML and JSON formats, so you can design other semantic interfaces.
The user interface to the BMLT is Too Limited!
See above.
Can I Make the Root Server A Part of A CMS, Like Joomla?
It has not been designed to do this. However, that does not mean it can’t be done. At the very simplest, it can be embedded into an external site as an iFrame.
The Need To Keep Logging In Is Very Annoying! Can’t I Keep Logged-In, Like in A CMS?
Not currently. This is a security feature. It will retain a login throughout a session (browser remains open), but not through multiple sessions. Security is very, very important to us.
Do We Always Have to Go To the Root Server To Administer the BMLT?
Yes. This is a security feature. Satellites are for users of the service, and allow you to present a completely localized and custom face to your users. However, administration is a different animal altogether, and needs to be centralized. We will not allow administrative access outside of the root server for security reasons.
How Secure is the BMLT?
Pretty darn secure. It isn’t completely tightened down to a military grade, but we’re quite tinfoil. We take security extremely seriously, but we also take usability seriously, and try our best to balance them.
Do You Support Older Browsers?
Within Reason. We currently specify our support to Internet Explorer 6, and Firefox 2. We use Web standards, and should support pretty much any browser out there now.
How Accessible Is the BMLT?
We support WAI AAA/Priority 3, and have designed for maximum usability. If there are issues, then please contact us, and we’ll see what we can do.
This is Way Kewl! Can I Link To You?
Thanks, but, if your implementation is a registered NA Service body, then we would ask that you not do this. The BMLT is not a registered Asset of NA, and should be treated like any other outside entity.
This is Way Kewl! Can I Pay You?
Again, thanks. However, we do not accept remonstration for our Services. If your Service body requires that you pay for the use of the tool, then consider our fee to be one US dollar. We would appreciate it if you would place that dollar into the basket of a local NA meeting for us, in order to avoid the expense of us traveling there for that purpose. We will not stop anyone from acting as an intermediary, where they may charge a (hopefully, small) fee to help implement and/or support the BMLT, but, as the authors of the product, we do not ask for any recompense. We will not accept any reimbursement. In the future, we may consider setting up a trust for the BMLT, to ensure its longevity and independence.
I See That You Do A Lot of Updating. How Can I Keep Informed?
We have a Release Announcements Forum, and a Twitter account that are updated whenever a new release is made. The BMLT In Depth Page also has a table with the latest versions of the Root server and all the satellites.
I Already Have My Meetings In A Database. Can I Convert This To the BMLT?
Yes. Feel free to contact us with questions.
I Use A Fairly Unknown CMS. Do You Support It?
Not directly, but we are more than happy to add your code to the main project if you wish to write a module.
I’d Love It if the BMLT Did This…
If you have requests, then, by all means, contact us, or post something in the forum.
I Print Our Own Meeting List. Can I Get the Data From the BMLT for My List?
Yes and yes.
Can I Get A Version of the List to Send to NAWS?
Yes.
Our RSC Isn’t Willing to Implement A Root Server. Can We Implement One for Our ASC?
Yes, however, the BMLT works best as a shared resource, so you should really try to get as many folks involved as possible. Maybe set up a Metro Area, and manage several ASCs. The Metropolitan Milwaukee Area does this.
Can Multiple Regions Use This?
Absolutely. The more Service bodies that share a root, the wider the area covered by a “seamless” search becomes. The limits imposed aren’t really technical, but political. For example, Regions may not agree on the definitions of format codes, or administrative access. However, the only technical limitations are those imposed by the service provider for the server.
I’m a 1334 Hax0r Wid Mad Web Skillz! Can I Help?
Yup. The BMLT is an open-source project that could benefit from more people working on it. There are a vast number of opportunities for participation. You could write code on the core (the root server), work on one or more of the satellites, write your own satellite, help in testing, help in documentation, or even help in spreading the word, and in assisting NA Service bodies to adapt and implement the BMLT in their own structure. Contact us, and we’ll see where you would best work out.

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