Re: Status of mj2 development?

--- Michael Yount <[email protected]> wrote:

> Erik Pearson wrote:
> > 2. extended user information: I would need to have
> > real names for each subscriber, and perhaps store
> > other information.
> >   
> Real names are supported now, but storing other
> information would 
> probably require code changes.

I've noticed that real names are supported during
subscription, but I didn't see a way of adding a real
name later when editing the subscription list.

> > 3. subscription based on master list and site
> signup
> > key (password): The main list would be set up by
> an
> > initial dump of records from an external source,
> and
> > subsequent changes to the master user database
> would
> > all be administrative (could be hand editing a
> file.)
> > But it would be great to have "sub list"
> subscriptions
> > user-driven, with the restriction that only users
> in
> > the master list could subscribe, and also
> restricted
> > by entering a site pass key.
> >   
> To require a password for every mj_wwwusr page,
> you'd need to edit the 
> table near the beginning of the mj_wwwusr script.

Thanks.

> > (This master list is the school registration
> database,
> > and it must be changed over every year.)
> >
> > 4. Need to be able to search the archives.
> >   
> Using what search engine?

Using mj2 of course! No, seriously, I see no reason
why mj2 shouldn't be able to search its own archives.
There may be scalability issues, but for small lists
performance shouldn't be an issue. If searchability is
there, performance can always be addressed later.

Seriously, archives without search?

> > 5. Some ui annoyances: 
> >   - changing password is too many steps,

> Sign in, visit the subscriptions page, type in the
> new password, and 
> press a button;
> how would you change that?

Actually, I mistyped -- I meant "forgot password and
then change it". I understand why the steps are
necessary (basically using the email address as a
secure place to deliver sensitive information), but
most users would be used to a process involving fewer
steps. Either 
- answer secret question, then enter your new password
or
- have email sent to your account
- click on link to reset password
- in browser, enter new password

> If the passwords are derived from an external
> database, why do you want 
> your subscribers to change their passwords?

In my case, passwords would not be derived from the
external database, just email address, name, and list.

> >  
> >   - navigating around and logging in/out is 
> > confusing.
> >   
> How would you improve it?

Here are some examples:

- sign in/out should be a little login box which
indicates your login status, or provides a login form
if you are not logged in. It should always be on the
page at the same place.

- when browsing archives (the list view) the menu
choices should be at the top (Summary); the choice of
sort order should be right there on the list view
(instead of back on the summary page)

- on many pages (e.g. the subscriptions page), there
should be better visual demarcation of the sections --
as it is they flow together, which forces one to kind
of read the entire page to find out what you want to
do. On the subscriptions page there are also multiple
forms, and people might be confused and think it is
one big form and expect there to be a "Save Changes"
button at the bottom. Perhaps it would be even better
to make this into multiple pages, so that each page is
simpler. Also, end users really don't ever need to see
changeaddr, unalias, etc. With a web interface about
1% of users (if that) will end up using the email
interface (other than unsubscribe, perhaps.)

- customizable theme -- yes, window dressing, but
simply setting the some global color settings would
allow the site to more easily resemble an existing
site, especially if they get there by following a link
from a web site, and set users at ease. If stylesheets
are used, this comes for free.

Don't get me wrong, I think mj2 is great, but the web
interface needs some work to make it a pleasant
experiece for general users.

Thanks!

Erik.

> 
> Michael
> 
>