Jython 2.7.2b

The list we made in 2018 of bugs essential to fix for 2.7.2 
<https://bugs.jython.org/issue?@columns=title,id,activity,status&@sort=-activity&@group=priority&@filter=status,milestone&@pagesize=50&@startwith=0&status=1&milestone=4&@dispname=Milestone%202.7.2>, 
despite adding new ones that looked like we ought to, and those where 
somebody just fancied doing it, is now almost empty. The ones left open 
relate to:

 1. The website, where James has done a great job with GithHub and we
    just need to get jython.org pointed at it. (#2658, #1590)
 2. Gradle, where I've done all I know how to, and would like user
    experience to tell us what is lacking. (#2121, #2182)

Two more things would be nice to have, but I don't count them as blockers:

 1. Adam's partial implementation of locale. (GH-132
    <https://github.com/jythontools/jython/pull/132>)
 2. Adopt standard Java logging. (#2278, #2778
    <https://bugs.jython.org/issue2778>)

Bottom line: I think we might be ready to release a beta.

I think it possible to add locale during it, as it is "opt-in", but 
would rather find a bug now than in 2.7.3.

A few proper bugs remain "pending" that were on the 2.7.2 list, simply 
waiting to close, except (#2230 <https://bugs.jython.org/issue2230>) 
where I would like have the feeedback that gives me the confidence to 
close it, from an environment that exercises it properly. A few questions:

Am I missing anything?

Should we drop support for Java 7 at this point? (18 months ago, 
maintaining support was sensible, but this has taken a year longer than 
intended.)

How long from beta to rc1 (if all is well)?

Jeff

Jeff Allen