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Python.org Redesign Request for Proposals

pythonorg-redesign.readthedocs.org

11–20 of 66 posts

Re: Python.org Redesign Request for Proposals

#11
post #2

As one of the people behind this, and a PSF director I am here to answer any questions people might have.

Edit: now I'm at -3. Still, I'm going to let this ride (not delete it), as even though it is not about the web site, I think my suggestion is serious and would benefit Python - i.e. get to the right audience here. I will also add that Python is my favorite language, and I hold it in a completely separate league from every other language I'm familiar with. Nothing else comes close. That said. "Python.org Redesign Requ…

IMO periodic website redesign and cleanup is a good idea as it does make it easier for users to find information and gives a comforting feeling of a professional look to new users.

Re: Python.org Redesign Request for Proposals

#12
post #2

As one of the people behind this, and a PSF director I am here to answer any questions people might have.

Edit: now I'm at -3. Still, I'm going to let this ride (not delete it), as even though it is not about the web site, I think my suggestion is serious and would benefit Python - i.e. get to the right audience here. I will also add that Python is my favorite language, and I hold it in a completely separate league from every other language I'm familiar with. Nothing else comes close. That said. "Python.org Redesign Requ…

THe best way for people to contribute to Python the language is to take a look at the devguide http://docs.python.org/devguide/ and if they're new, join the core mentorship list: http://pythonmentors.com/

Re: Python.org Redesign Request for Proposals

#13
post #9
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A question, out of curiosity and not hostile in any way: what's wrong with the current one?

See: http://pythonorg-redesign.readthedocs.org/en/latest/#purpose and http://pythonorg-redesign.readthedocs.org/en/latest/#current... - we outlined, as unbiased as possible, what we feel is fundamentally broken with the existing site.

Indeed, I just read that, so I will follow up further. Is this predicated on feedback you've received or more on what the board feels is appropriate?

Re: Python.org Redesign Request for Proposals

#14
One thing that would really make the website work better is to make pages like http://docs.python.org/library/stdtypes.html hierarchical with an overview and one or two sub levels so each function gets its own page, making it easier to find via search (The Google) and do dynamic linking from IDE:s or whatever if the url routing were set up smart.

Today when you search for 'random.choice python' you get to the random front page with 20+ random functions forcing you to first click on the google search result (probably with a lower CTR than if you have had the function name in the title) and then when entering the docs page hit CTRL+F and do a page search for 'random.choice'. That would make my life easier, and annotated documentation, preferably with some kind of "like"-functionality pushing the good answers up. I do get however that some people like to have the full spec for all random functions in one page...

Re: Python.org Redesign Request for Proposals

#15
> Content must be editable offline, when there is no network availability.

I'm curious to know why this is a requirement for python.org? I mean, edit contention is an area one has to deal with even if editing with a network connection, so there isn't an enormous technical burden associated with offline editing, but this does require more effort.

Re: Python.org Redesign Request for Proposals

#16
post #13
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

See: http://pythonorg-redesign.readthedocs.org/en/latest/#purpose and http://pythonorg-redesign.readthedocs.org/en/latest/#current... - we outlined, as unbiased as possible, what we feel is fundamentally broken with the existing site.

Indeed, I just read that, so I will follow up further. Is this predicated on feedback you've received or more on what the board feels is appropriate?

Both, actually - we have some real designers on the team to help examine submissions, as well as people versed in IA/UX and accessibility. We (the board) have gotten lots of feedback over the years, and really want to make something more accessible, welcoming and modern.

The team vetting the designs is not 100% board members, intentionally so - as I said, we have domain experts as well as psf members, it's a small team to keep the noise down, but the goals and thoughts are outlined in the RFP as much as possible.

Re: Python.org Redesign Request for Proposals

#17

> Content must be editable offline, when there is no network availability. I'm curious to know why this is a requirement for python.org? I mean, edit contention is an area one has to deal with even if editing with a network connection, so there isn't an enormous technical burden associated with offline editing, but this does require more effort.

Many site contributors prefer offline editing - such as checking out a repo and performing the work, then submitting to online editing. Additionally, the workflow of certain sub sites, such as the jobs board require a fair amount of offline vetting prior to content going live.

Essentially, we have to serve two styles of workflow - we have both types of people wanting to contribute content today, and we are attempting to fulfill their workflow needs. A 100% online CMS does not do that.

Re: Python.org Redesign Request for Proposals

#18
post #14

One thing that would really make the website work better is to make pages like http://docs.python.org/library/stdtypes.html hierarchical with an overview and one or two sub levels so each function gets its own page, making it easier to find via search (The Google) and do dynamic linking from IDE:s or whatever if the url routing were set up smart. Today when you search for 'random.choice python' you get to the random…

See: https://twitter.com/ncoghlan_dev/status/205290363437580289

:)

Re: Python.org Redesign Request for Proposals

#19

> Content must be editable offline, when there is no network availability. I'm curious to know why this is a requirement for python.org? I mean, edit contention is an area one has to deal with even if editing with a network connection, so there isn't an enormous technical burden associated with offline editing, but this does require more effort.

I'd guess that there are current website editors (especially writing docs) whose existing workflows include a lot of offline time. Poor Internet connections at home, lots of time traveling and working on airplanes, vacations to beautiful places with no Internet...

Re: Python.org Redesign Request for Proposals

#20
post #19

> Content must be editable offline, when there is no network availability. I'm curious to know why this is a requirement for python.org? I mean, edit contention is an area one has to deal with even if editing with a network connection, so there isn't an enormous technical burden associated with offline editing, but this does require more effort.

I'd guess that there are current website editors (especially writing docs) whose existing workflows include a lot of offline time. Poor Internet connections at home, lots of time traveling and working on airplanes, vacations to beautiful places with no Internet...

Yup, exactly.
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