[Mailman-Developers] Templating the interface

[Jon Reese]

I would also like to lend a hand wherever it is desired as well as offer 
some suggestions to help with the improvement of the Mailman user 
interface.  Having watched the mailing lists since last November for 
news about improvements in the user interface and the template system, 
it was not really surprising that the subject came up again.  Bryan has 
done some excellent work on version 2.1.7 as far as XHTML compliance.

Unfortunately there are a number of package related versions that cannot 
be upgraded easily because the packagers have not brought the RPMs up to 
date with the current stable release of Mailman (2.1.9).  They may have 
reasons for this, including versions of Python that are supported in 
various packages as well as their own development cycles and lack of 
manpower.  If I am not mistaken, RHEL3, and CentOS3 are still relegated 
to Mailman 2.1.5 due to a reliance on an earlier version of Python 
(again the packagers have not upgraded the RPMs).  I have at least two 
machines that I would like to bring to Mailman 2.1.9, but it would do 
more harm than good and other factors prevent OS upgrades.

Areas where I can help include HTML/CSS/XHTML compliant markup for the 
user interface templates, extending generic classes into Python coding 
for inclusion in generic template styles, and perhaps even some built in 
help hints for the user interface (as part of the templates or Python 
coding).

My desired hopes would include Mailman 2.1.9 support for Python 2.2.3 
without patches or changes to Python coding (for users of RHEL3 and 
CentOS3); Support for a single CSS file to change the look of any single 
virtual hosted mailing list; customizable administration pages as well 
as the user pages for a mailing list; full language support integrated 
throughout the templates; and finally, support for any template / user 
interface improvements for the current stable release of Mailman (2.1.9).

I am in full agreement with Aaron as far as the template system and look 
forward to further discussion on this topic.

Best regards,

Jon Reese


Aaron Crosman wrote:
> Since Barry suggested that conversation about improving the mailman GUI
> should be moved here, I thought I'd take a minute to ask a couple
> starter questions.
>
> First, let me say, that I'm willing to do some of the work on this part
> of the project. In the organization I work for (and run mailman for) the
> biggest complaints I hear revolve around the interface, and the lack of
> control over the design, so I'd love to see a proper template system in
> place.
>
> That said, I'm not clear where this project stands.  I've been reviewed
> the summary from last summer's SoC work, and while that's given me some
> idea of what was done, I don't have a good sense of how and where to get
> started on helping.  Can you all offer some suggestions about what I can
> do to be helpful and contribute?
>
> Aaron
>