[Koha-devel] Koha 3, new features local "includes" directory

[Thomas Dukleth]

comments interfiled

On Fri, August 11, 2006 5:16 pm, Joshua Ferraro wrote:

[snip]

> Meaning that main.tmpl never changes with different templates,
> only the includes do? The problem I have with this it doesn't solve
> the biggest template problem I encounter. Many of my clients
> want to make minor label changes to various elements on a main page,
> or even remove elements.  For instance, they want to change 'Catalog
> Search' to 'Search the Catalog'. Most of the other changes they
> want can be done with the new layout and color css files in
> rel_2_2 ... any ideas for solving this problem without having
> to maintain multiple tempaltes?

During devel week, Joshua suggested the possibility of variablising all
labels.  Whether particular template elements are used or not can also be
controlled by a variable as well.  This would certainly address the issue
of small changes and provide a better scheme for localising content by
both institution and language.  The namespace can specify an institution
then a language.  This should simultaneously provide user easier facility
for selecting different language interfaces for each user.  CMS systems
generally provide this localisation method.

Chris Cormack had raised the concern that this would lead to increased CPU
usage.  One of the reasons that CMS systems tend to be slower than static
pages is the provision for extensive variablisation in CMS systems.

We should always have the provision for templates with significantly
different content and static labels for the library that must have such
customisation.  Most libraries are liable to find that increasing the CPU
speed of the server or adding load balancing servers is much less
expensive than maintaining a local set of templates for attaining the same
server response times.  The most cost effective choice for a particular
library would depend upon the extent of customisation required relative to
the standard template in relation to the size of that library's user base
for CPU usage.


Thomas Dukleth
Agogme
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