EXeLearning V3.0.1: Release Prep & Updates
Welcome, fellow eXeLearning enthusiasts! We're on the cusp of a new release, v3.0.1, and this is where we discuss the final steps. This release is packed with improvements, fixes, and new features designed to enhance your e-learning content creation experience. To avoid any merge conflicts, we've broken the release preparation into two parts, and this discussion focuses on the final critical aspects. Let's dive in and ensure a smooth rollout of v3.0.1!
Addressing Key Issues and Enhancements
This release tackles several key areas, from documentation and accessibility to style refinements and bug fixes. Our goal is to make eXeLearning more user-friendly, accessible, and feature-rich. We'll explore each of these areas in detail, providing clarity on the changes and their impact.
Kecloak "Issuer" Problem Documentation
One of the critical updates includes addressing the Kecloak "issuer" problem. We'll make sure the documentation clearly outlines the necessary configuration steps, especially regarding the trailing slash (/) at the end of the issuer URL. This is crucial for seamless integration and proper authentication, helping ensure that users can securely access their e-learning materials without a hitch. This detail can often be overlooked but is vital for correct setup.
Mermaid Integration: Menu, Accessibility, and Presentation
We're refining the integration of Mermaid diagrams to enhance both usability and accessibility. This means replacing the button-based system with a more intuitive menu-driven approach, making it easier for users to interact with diagrams. Additionally, we are looking at accessibility. This is a very important issue to address as a priority. This menu-based system improves the user experience and is designed to comply with accessibility standards, ensuring that all users, including those with disabilities, can effectively navigate and understand the visual information. The user can interact with the menu more simply, which greatly improves the content.
"Action & Expression" UDL Category and Language Updates
Enhancements to the user-defined language (UDL) capabilities are a core part of this release. We'll be adding the "Action & Expression" UDL category and ensuring it's available in English. This addition provides a new category for users to utilize when creating and organizing code snippets within their e-learning resources, improving clarity, and facilitating the structured creation of engaging content. Ensuring all language elements are clear and consistent streamlines the content creation process. We're always striving to make eXeLearning as useful and understandable as possible for all users, regardless of their technical expertise.
Style Review and Improvement
Ensuring a consistent and visually appealing experience across all export views is a key priority. We're meticulously reviewing and refining the styles applied in different export views. Here's a deeper look at the improvements:
Package Subtitle and Zen Style Pagination
We're paying close attention to the package subtitles in various styles. The goal is to make sure subtitles are easily visible and consistent. Also, we are looking at improving the pagination buttons in the Zen style. Ensuring sufficient contrast is necessary to guarantee readability and a smooth user experience. This helps keep the design in accordance with accessibility and usability guidelines.
Effects Presentation Optimization
Some styles will get a makeover. We're working on improving the presentation of effects in specific styles to ensure visual appeal without sacrificing clarity. This involves a balance between aesthetics and functionality, making sure the user experience remains top-notch. With the updates, everything will be displayed in an appealing and understandable way.
Release-Specific Updates and Preparations
Beyond these core improvements, several release-specific tasks are essential for a successful rollout. Let's review these critical steps.
Beta Version Expiration Date
We will update the expiration date for the beta version to ensure that users have access to the latest features until the release. This is important to ensure users have enough time to test and use all the new features. Users can test and report any issues.
License Updates
We're updating the licenses to match the current release, ensuring that all the necessary legal and licensing information is correct and up-to-date. This includes verifying that all open-source components are properly licensed and that all legal requirements are met. This protects both the users and the development team.
Changelog Maintenance
The ChangeLog file will be updated to accurately reflect the changes, bug fixes, and new features included in v3.0.1. This is critical for keeping users and developers informed about the scope of the release and for providing a historical record of changes.
Custom Favicon Support
Allowing custom favicons is a nice addition for users. We are including documentation on how to upload and set a custom favicon. This will allow content creators to customize their e-learning projects further and reflect their brand identity in a more appealing and accessible manner, helping the content stand out.
Bug Fixes and Translations
Addressing critical bugs and completing translations are also key priorities for v3.0.1. Let's delve deeper into these areas.
TinyMCE Image/Media Plugin Fixes
We are targeting and addressing any bugs related to the TinyMCE image and media plugins. This ensures that users can seamlessly embed images, videos, and other media elements into their e-learning content. This is essential for rich content, so these functions must work without issue.
Translation Completion
We're trying our best to complete translations to ensure that eXeLearning is accessible to a global audience. This includes reviewing and finalizing all language translations to ensure accuracy and consistency across the user interface. We need to translate all text strings to support our global users.
Other Considerations and Future Plans
This release also addresses several other crucial elements and features to ensure a comprehensive update.
Windows Installer Signing
We are considering signing Windows installers with the current certificate. This step is necessary to assure users that the software is safe and has not been tampered with. This is crucial for user trust and security, and to avoid security warnings during installation.
iDevices i18n Mechanism
We're paying attention to the iDevices i18n (internationalization) mechanism. This is to guarantee that the content within iDevices is properly localized and that all users can view the content in their preferred language. This means checking all translated elements and making necessary adjustments.
Page Navigation and Preferences
We are looking at implementing a page dropdown menu to make navigation easier and quicker. This will simplify the process of adding child pages. We're exploring adding a new preference to hide the package title. This will give users more control over the appearance of their content.
Wrapping Up and Future Steps
This release is the culmination of hard work, careful planning, and a commitment to providing an exceptional e-learning content creation tool. We are working hard to ensure that v3.0.1 meets the highest standards of quality, accessibility, and user-friendliness. By addressing the issues outlined, from documentation to style refinements and bug fixes, we aim to deliver a release that empowers educators and content creators. We're very happy with the results of this release and we look forward to the next steps! Thank you for being a part of the eXeLearning community. Your feedback and support are very important to us.
For more information and updates, you can check the official eXeLearning documentation
