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