System Requirements Document for icy-modern

1. Introduction

The project "icy-modern" aims to create a modern, modular CMS that functions as a social community platform inspired by old Swedish communities like Lunarstorm, Hamsterpaj, Playahead, and Qruiser, but updated for contemporary use. The platform will cater to users seeking a nostalgic yet modern social experience, offering customizable profiles, social features, and a VIP system.

2. System Overview

The "icy-modern" CMS is designed to provide a social community experience with a focus on modular architecture and API-first design. It will support user profiles, forums, guestbooks, private messaging, live chat, groups, events, photos, and a marketplace. The system will also include a VIP system for premium features and an admin panel for site management.

2a. Product Interpretation and Delivery Boundary

The product is a modular CMS/social community platform with separate module boundaries for forums, chat, marketplace, events, groups, and future extensibility. Core entities are accessible through REST or GraphQL APIs. The experience is responsive across desktop and mobile, with a visual style that nods to early-2000s social communities. VIP-gated features include selected cosmetics and capabilities, with subscription plans available. Group participation supports both open and private/invite-only groups, and guestbook messages support public and friends-only visibility. Photo album privacy supports public, friends, and custom lists. Marketplace listings include location fields, and contact occurs through private messages.

2b. Source Content Inventory

Not applicable as no content source directive was provided.

2c. Page Content and Component Coverage

Landing

• Information/State: Overview of the platform, core activities, and features.
• Primary Actions: Explore features, proceed to sign-up or login.
• Components: Hero section with vector illustration, introduction text, call-to-action buttons.
• States: Loading, success.

Login

• Information/State: User authentication.
• Primary Actions: Enter credentials, submit login.
• Components: Login form, forgot password link.
• States: Loading, success, error.

Profile

• Information/State: User profile details, customization options.
• Primary Actions: Edit profile, change themes, update settings.
• Components: Avatar, cover image, bio, location, interests, theme selector.
• States: Loading, success, error.

Friends

• Information/State: Friend list, privacy settings.
• Primary Actions: Add/remove friends, manage lists.
• Components: Friend list, privacy controls.
• States: Loading, success, error.

Forums

• Information/State: Forum categories, threads, posts.
• Primary Actions: Create thread, reply to posts.
• Components: Category list, thread list, post editor.
• States: Loading, success, error.

Forum Moderation

• Information/State: Moderation tools and actions.
• Primary Actions: Pin, lock, delete, move threads; issue warnings/bans.
• Components: Moderation panel, action buttons.
• States: Loading, success, error.

Guestbooks

• Information/State: Guestbook messages, visibility settings.
• Primary Actions: Post message, reply.
• Components: Message list, reply form.
• States: Loading, success, error.

Messages

• Information/State: Private conversations, inbox state.
• Primary Actions: Send message, search inbox.
• Components: Conversation list, message editor.
• States: Loading, success, error.

Live Chat

• Information/State: Real-time chat, online status.
• Primary Actions: Start chat, send message.
• Components: Chat window, online indicator.
• States: Loading, success, error.

Groups

• Information/State: Group details, membership.
• Primary Actions: Join group, post updates.
• Components: Group list, mini-forum.
• States: Loading, success, error.

Group Management

• Information/State: Group roles, membership administration.
• Primary Actions: Assign roles, manage members.
• Components: Role management panel, member list.
• States: Loading, success, error.

Events

• Information/State: Event details, RSVP state.
• Primary Actions: Create event, RSVP.
• Components: Event form, RSVP buttons.
• States: Loading, success, error.

Photos

• Information/State: Photo albums, privacy settings.
• Primary Actions: Upload photo, tag users.
• Components: Album list, photo viewer.
• States: Loading, success, error.

Marketplace

• Information/State: Listings, search filters.
• Primary Actions: Create listing, contact seller.
• Components: Listing form, search bar.
• States: Loading, success, error.

VIP

• Information/State: Subscription status, premium features.
• Primary Actions: Subscribe, manage subscription.
• Components: Subscription options, feature list.
• States: Loading, success, error.

Admin

• Information/State: Site management, user roles.
• Primary Actions: Manage users, configure site settings.
• Components: Admin dashboard, user management tools.
• States: Loading, success, error.

3. Functional Requirements

• As a Community Member, I should be able to:

  • Create and customize my profile with avatar, cover image, bio, location, and interests. (explicit)
  • Add and remove friends, manage friend lists, and set privacy settings. (explicit)
  • Participate in forums by creating threads and posting replies. (explicit)
  • Use guestbooks to leave messages on profiles, with public or friends-only visibility. (explicit)
  • Send and receive private messages, including attachments and emojis. (explicit)
  • Engage in live chat with friends, with online status and typing indicators. (explicit)
  • Join and participate in groups, including group discussions and events. (explicit)
  • Create and manage photo albums with privacy controls. (explicit)
  • Post and manage marketplace listings, with search and filter capabilities. (explicit)
  • Access VIP features such as advanced profile customization and extended storage. (explicit)

• As a Group Manager, I should be able to:

  • Create and manage groups, including membership and roles. (explicit)
  • Moderate group discussions and manage group events. (explicit)

• As a Site Administrator, I should be able to:

  • Manage the entire site, including user roles and content moderation. (explicit)
  • Configure VIP tiers, feature toggles, and marketplace categories. (explicit)

4. User Personas

Community Member

• Context: Uses the platform to maintain a profile, connect with friends, and participate in social activities.
• Primary Goal: Engage with the community, share content, and participate in discussions.
• Responsibilities: Profile management, friend interactions, forum participation, messaging, live chat, group activities, event participation, photo sharing, and marketplace engagement.
• Success: Successfully connecting with others and sharing experiences.

Group Manager

• Context: Manages groups within the platform, ensuring active participation and moderation.
• Primary Goal: Keep the group organized and engaging for members.
• Responsibilities: Group creation, membership management, role assignment, group discussions, and event management.
• Success: Maintaining an active and well-moderated group.

Site Administrator

• Context: Oversees the entire platform, ensuring smooth operation and compliance with policies.
• Primary Goal: Maintain site governance and operational control.
• Responsibilities: User management, content moderation, role assignment, VIP configuration, and site settings.
• Success: Ensuring a safe and well-functioning platform.

5. Core User Flows

Community Member: Profile Customization

1. Start: User logs into the platform.
2. Profile Page: User navigates to their profile page.
3. Edit Profile: User selects the option to edit their profile.
4. Customization: User updates avatar, cover image, bio, location, and interests.
5. Save Changes: User saves the changes.
6. Result: Profile is updated with new information.

Community Member: Forum Participation

1. Start: User logs into the platform.
2. Forums Page: User navigates to the forums page.
3. Select Forum: User selects a forum category and subforum.
4. Create Thread: User creates a new thread or replies to an existing one.
5. Post Content: User writes and submits the post.
6. Result: Post is visible in the forum.

Group Manager: Group Management

1. Start: Manager logs into the platform.
2. Groups Page: Manager navigates to the groups page.
3. Create Group: Manager creates a new group or selects an existing one.
4. Manage Members: Manager assigns roles and manages membership.
5. Moderate Content: Manager moderates group discussions and events.
6. Result: Group is active and well-managed.

Site Administrator: Site Management

1. Start: Administrator logs into the platform.
2. Admin Page: Administrator navigates to the admin page.
3. User Management: Administrator manages users, roles, and bans.
4. Content Moderation: Administrator reviews and moderates reported content.
5. Configure Settings: Administrator configures VIP tiers and site settings.
6. Result: Site is well-maintained and operational.

6. Visuals Colors and Theme

• Muse: Pablo Stanley
• Palette (light mode):
  • Background: #FFF5E6
  • Surface: #FFFFFF
  • Text: #333333
  • Primary: #FF6F61
  • Accent: #FFD700
  • Muted: #CFCFCF
• Typography:
  • Headings: Nunito, Bold weight
  • Body: DM Sans
  • Scale: 1.4 modular, 48/34/24/18/16
• Shape Language: Rounded shapes, pill buttons, soft offset shadows
• Layout: Modular card-based layouts with playful stickers and blob shapes
• Motion: Springy micro-interactions, playful hover states

7. Signature Design Concept

The landing page will feature a full-width hero illustration that nods to early-2000s nostalgia. It will include rounded, pill-shaped buttons with playful hover effects and sticker-like icons for VIP features. User profiles and content will be displayed on offset shadow cards, with friendly, rounded typography spanning the viewport headline.

8. Interaction Model & Motion Direction

• Interaction Model: Animated
• Motion Tempo: Expressive
• Hero Dimensionality: Layered_2d
• Landing Hero Motion Brief: The hero section will feature a bright vector illustration as the focal subject, with springy micro-interactions and playful hover states. The transformation will involve interactive elements such as buttons and icons, leading to a welcoming and engaging user experience. A reduced-motion state will be available for accessibility.

9. Non-Functional Requirements

• Modular Architecture: The system must support modular design for easy extensibility.
• API-First Approach: Core entities must be accessible via REST or GraphQL APIs.
• Responsive Design: The platform must be responsive across desktop and mobile devices.
• Visual Style: The design must be clean and current, with a nod to early-2000s social communities.

10. Tech Stack

• Frontend: React
• Backend: Python/FastAPI
• Storage: Appropriate database for user data and content
• Deployment: Docker/docker-compose, Kubernetes (if required)

11. Assumptions and Constraints

• The platform will maintain separate module boundaries for forums, chat, marketplace, events, and groups.
• VIP features will be gated behind subscription plans.
• The design will adhere to the specified visual style and constraints.

12. Glossary

• CMS: Content Management System
• VIP: Very Important Person, referring to premium users with access to exclusive features
• API: Application Programming Interface
• REST: Representational State Transfer
• GraphQL: A query language for APIs
• RSVP: Répondez s'il vous plaît, a request for response to an invitation