GUI widgets is the correct term. All user interfaces use widgets
because it’s easier and more consistent. Previously we were limited
to what the browser provided, which gave limited interaction. It is
the templating engine (eTemplate) that was upgraded in 14.1, now we
enhance the browser widgets with javascript, adding infinite scrolling
in lists, context menus, drag & drop, etc. We will not be returning
to a static HTML interface, though as before the individual templates
can still be customized.
The idots theme has been kept. We have no intention to remove it
soon, and even check to make sure things work. However it does not
give any of the performance and only some of the user interaction
improvements as the new Stylite & Pixelegg themes.
Version 1.8 is the version before version 14.1, which came before
14.2. It is not a separate branch or a fork, it’s just a previous
version from before we upgraded the template system. After much
discussion and yes, tremendous work.
Nathan
Ralf, All,
After the move from 1.8 to 14.2, it is apparent the interfaces are radically
different. Undesirably so in some respects. Looking at the changelog, it is
apparent that this vision for egroupware started in earnest in 2009, which makes
me curious if this wasn’t the interface that was at the root of the
egroupware/stylite dust-up with Kneschke back in the 2007-2008 timeframe.
I have now been through the apps with the new gui interface and I have the
same feeling I had after installing KDE 4.04. The departure from the way of
doing things in 1.8 makes me wonder if it may not be wise to continue a legacy
branch of egroupware with the traditional interface and whether something like
that already exists as a project. The 14.2 interface is just so new and
different from 1.8, that there will be a number of users completely turned-off
by it.
It is apparent that a tremendous amount of work has been put into 14.2 and
the new interface, and that is to be commended. I don’t know if it is just a
problem with the new interface in Firefox, but to be candid, it has a really
awkward feel. I don’t know what type of “gui widgets” for lack of better words
are used to replace the addressbook display, etc…, but they are horribly slow
and do not render anywhere close to the way 1.8 did. My addressbook entries are
now almost twice the size they used to be in 1.8. It’s just not right.
Has there been any discussion about continuing the traditional interface from
the 1.8 branch? If only for backport of security fixes. If not, does the
table-based code exist in 14.2 that could make the choice of interface
configurable?
The differences between 1.8 and 14.2 are radical enough those topics probably
warrant discussion. I can foresee a significant number of users who appreciated
the simplicity and elegance of the 1.8 approach being interested in its
continuation and also being a bit dismayed by the new approach. Sometimes
plain-old rendered html is still the best approach from both a performance and
practical standpoint.
Let me know if there is any type of continuation for the 1.8 line, either
here or under another name, or whether the ui in 14.2 can be configured to work
as it did in the 1.8 line. I’m sure things will become more consistent between
the two, but I would certainly be willing to put in some time to keep the 1.8
line up to date with security backports until they do. What say the experts on
these issues?
–
David C. Rankin, J.D.,P.E.
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