On Thu, 2003-09-18 at 11:17, Ian Clarke wrote:
> * Migrate to a more powerful template engine such as FreeMarker 
> (http://freemarker.sf.net/).
> 
> I have been using FreeMarker on another project and it is indeed very 
> powerful, but it would add almost 2MB to Freenet's size.

Could freemarker be gutted down to the bare essentials? FProxy may not
need all the kitchen sinks.

> * Redo FProxy but with our existing simple template engine

Either way - the HTTP interface is the visible manifestation of Freenet,
so its user-friendliness (or lack thereof) is critical to users'
reactions and opinions.

> * Eliminate the need for platform-specific config utilities by creating
>   a configuration Infolet within FProxy

That's an excellent idea. Even the barest mention of a config file that
needs editing alienates a huge segment of the userbase. People are such
GUIholics these days.

Another idea - not new - for the Windows releases, include one with a
JVM built in as the *default*, with the option to download a JVM-free
version for people who already have an adequate JVM installed and
running. Sun allows free redistribution of the JVM as long as a minimal
fileset is preserved. Lots of apps do this.

We need to face the fact that for 80% or more of the prospective user
base, any mention of Java or the need to install a JVM will make their
eyes glaze over, and they'll just go back to Kazaa without another
thought.

As much as (so many of us) hate Windows and all it stands for, the
platform has set a standard for friendliness in some areas. To be able
to click on a .exe link, then choose 'run this program from its current
location', and have the thing download, install, configure
automatically, is a level of ergonomic performance that most people have
come to expect.

-- 
Cheers
David

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