dev.metalisp.survey/README.org

#+title: dev.metalisp.survey
#+author: Marcus Kammer
#+email: marcus.kammer@metalisp.dev

* dev.metalisp.survey

Made with Love ❤️ and Common Lisp

** Disclaimer

Libre software (LS) is often misunderstood as entirely free, including support
and maintenance. While LS is freely available to use, modify, and distribute,
users bear the responsibility for its integration, upkeep, and
troubleshooting. Unlike commercial software, which typically includes support
services, LS relies on community or paid third-party support, if
available. This model empowers users with flexibility and control but requires
a commitment to managing the software effectively. Therefore, adopting LS
demands a proactive approach to handling any issues and ensuring the software
meets organizational needs.

** Introduction

I am developing a web application using Common Lisp, specifically tailored for
efficiently administering the System Usability Scale (SUS), user experience
questionnaires, and VISAWI to streamline usability evaluations. This
application not only presents these various questions and collects responses
but also simplifies the entire process of gathering and analyzing usability
feedback. Designed to enhance the ease of creating, managing, and integrating
questionnaires within existing websites or software systems, it leverages
flexible templates to offer high levels of reusability and adaptability. The
software allows for the synthesis of data from multiple questionnaires into a
single study, enabling deeper insights. As a self-hosted solution, it provides
enhanced data protection, granting users full control over their data—a crucial
feature in environments handling sensitive data. This makes it an invaluable
tool for research projects, market research, and other sectors that require
precise data collection and analysis.

** Design Goals

1. *Integration*: The app integrates seamlessly into existing digital
   platforms, enhancing user experience and simplifying data capture.

2. *Reusability and Adaptability*: Customizable templates allow for the
   creation of consistent and repeatable survey formats suitable for various
   applications.

3. *Data Synthesis*: It supports combining data from multiple questionnaires
   into a single study, providing broader and more comprehensive analytical
   insights.

4. *Privacy and Control*: With self-hosting, the software ensures complete data
   sovereignty and enhances privacy, avoiding the need to transfer sensitive
   data to external servers.

5. *Accessibility*: The application is designed following the Web
   Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provided by WebAIM,
   ensuring that the survey is accessible to all users, including
   those with disabilities. This includes features such as keyboard
   navigation, screen reader compatibility, and high contrast modes to
   accommodate users with varying needs and abilities.

** Features

1. *Questionnaires*: Questionnaires can be defined using a Domain-Specific
   Language (DSL) developed for dev.metalisp.sbt. The benefit of defining forms
   in files is that they can be versioned using GIT, providing better control
   over changes and updates.

2. *Simplicity*: All data is saved to files, eliminating the need for a
   database. This reduces costs for self-hosting and simplifies the setup and
   maintenance of the application.

** Dependencies
- https://github.com/edicl/hunchentoot
- https://git.sr.ht/~marcuskammer/dev.metalisp.sbt
** Mailing list
- https://lists.sr.ht/~marcuskammer/dev.metalisp.survey
** Issue tracker
- https://todo.sr.ht/~marcuskammer/dev.metalisp.survey
** News Feed
- https://git.sr.ht/~marcuskammer/dev.metalisp.survey/log/main/rss.xml
** Installation instructions
*** Without using Quicklisp                                        :noexport:
**** 1. Install a Common Lisp implementation

   - Ensure you have a Common Lisp implementation installed. Common options
     include SBCL (Steel Bank Common Lisp) and CCL (Clozure Common Lisp). You
     can download and install them from their respective websites:

     - [[http://www.sbcl.org/][SBCL]]
     - [[https://ccl.clozure.com/][CCL]]

**** 2. Set up ASDF

   - ASDF is typically bundled with modern Lisp implementations. However, if
     it's not present, you can download it from [[https://gitlab.common-lisp.net/asdf/asdf][ASDF's repository]].

**** 3. Organize the project directory

   - Place the =dev.metalisp.survey= project in the =~/common-lisp=
     directory. Ensure the directory structure looks like this:

     #+BEGIN_EXAMPLE
     ~/common-lisp/
       └── dev.metalisp.survey/
           ├── dev.metalisp.survey.asd
           └── src/
               └── app.lisp
     #+END_EXAMPLE

**** 4. Configure ASDF to find the project

   - Open your Common Lisp REPL and run the following commands to set up the
     ASDF central registry:

     #+BEGIN_SRC lisp
     ;; Ensure ASDF is loaded
     (require :asdf)

     ;; Add ~/common-lisp to the ASDF central registry
     (push #p"~/common-lisp/" asdf:*central-registry*)
     #+END_SRC

**** 5. Load the project

   - In your REPL, load the project by running:

     #+BEGIN_SRC lisp
     (asdf:load-system :dev.metalisp.survey)
     #+END_SRC

**** 6. Run the project

   - After loading the system, you can run the main function or entry point of
     the project.
     =ml-survey:start=, you would execute:

     #+BEGIN_SRC lisp
     (ml-survey:start)
     #+END_SRC

**** Optional: Example Initialization in .sbclrc

To make the ASDF configuration persistent across REPL sessions, you can add the
setup to your =.sbclrc= file:

1. Edit =.sbclrc=
   - Open (or create) the =.sbclrc= file in your home directory and add the
     following lines:

     #+BEGIN_SRC lisp
     (require :asdf)
     (push #p"~/common-lisp/" asdf:*central-registry*)
     #+END_SRC

2. Reload SBCL
   - The next time you start SBCL, it will automatically include the
     =~/common-lisp= directory in the ASDF central registry.

*** With using Quicklisp

Quicklisp is a highly recommended library manager for Common Lisp capable of
streamlining the process of installing and maintaining libraries. It simplifies
downloading, building, and loading libraries with a minimal fuss and supports
command line interaction.

This guide will demonstrate how to install Quicklisp on both Linux and Windows
operating systems.

**** Why Use Quicklisp?

Quicklisp offers several advantages for Common Lisp development:
- *Ease of Use:* It simplifies the installation process of common Lisp
  libraries, handling dependencies automatically.
- *Extensive Library Collection:* Quicklisp connects to a vast repository of
  libraries, making it easy to find and install almost any library you need for
  a project.
- *Regular Updates:* Quicklisp updates its library list monthly, so you always
  have access to the latest versions.
- *Integration:* It integrates well with many Lisp environments and tools,
  enhancing your development workflow.

**** On Linux

1. *Install a Common Lisp implementation:*
   For example, to install SBCL:
   #+begin_src bash
   sudo apt-get install sbcl
   #+end_src

2. *Download Quicklisp Installer:*
   Open a terminal and run:
   #+begin_src bash
   curl -O https://beta.quicklisp.org/quicklisp.lisp
   #+end_src

3. *Install Quicklisp:*
   With Lisp implementation installed (e.g., SBCL), run:
   #+begin_src bash
   sbcl --load quicklisp.lisp
   #+end_src
   Within the Lisp environment, enter:
   #+begin_src lisp
   (quicklisp-quickstart:install)
   #+end_src

4. *Integrate Quicklisp with your Lisp environment:*
   To automatically load Quicklisp on Lisp startup:
   #+begin_src lisp
   (ql:add-to-init-file)
   #+end_src
   Follow the on-screen instructions, then exit Lisp:
   #+begin_src lisp
   (quit)
   #+end_src

**** On Windows

1. *Install a Common Lisp implementation:*
   Download and install, for example, SBCL from http://www.sbcl.org/platform-table.html

2. *Download Quicklisp Installer:*
   Open PowerShell and run:
   #+begin_src powershell
   Invoke-WebRequest -Uri https://beta.quicklisp.org/quicklisp.lisp -OutFile quicklisp.lisp
   #+end_src

3. *Install Quicklisp:*
   Open installed Lisp (e.g., SBCL) shell by searching it in the start menu. Then run:
   #+begin_src shell
   --load quicklisp.lisp
   #+end_src
   Within the Lisp REPL, execute:
   #+begin_src lisp
   (quicklisp-quickstart:install)
   #+end_src

4. *Set Up Quicklisp:*
   To enable Quicklisp every time Lisp starts:
   #+begin_src lisp
   (ql:add-to-init-file)
   #+end_src
   Follow the steps provided, then exit:
   #+begin_src lisp
   (quit)
   #+end_src

**** Load dev.metalisp.survey

1. Clone this repository and dev.metalisp.sbt
   #+begin_src shell
     git clone git@git.sr.ht:~marcuskammer/dev.metalisp.sbt ~/quicklisp/local-projects/
     git clone git@git.sr.ht:~marcuskammer/dev.metalisp.survey ~/quicklisp/local-projects/
   #+end_src

2. Start sbcl and load dev.metalisp.survey
   #+begin_src shell
     (ql:quickload :dev.metalisp.survey)
   #+end_src
** Screenshot
[[https://git.sr.ht/~marcuskammer/dev.metalisp.survey/blob/main/screenshot.png]]
** License

MIT