[Dev] VLO 3.0 beta version

[Twan Goosen]

Hi everyone,

VLO  3.0 has reached the next stage and has been deployed at the VLO 
*beta* location at <http://catalog.clarin.eu/vlobeta/> for your viewing 
and testing pleasure :) Since this is a beta version, it is functionally 
complete but has not been fully tested so you may encounter unresolved 
issues. If you do so, or have any other kind of feedback on its 
functioning, please send a message to the following address: <vlo at carin.eu>.

As stated before, this version has a complete redesign and largely a 
reimplementation of the front-end. There are three important design 
changes that you may need to get used to initially if you are used to 
the current VLO, but we think will improve the experience for the 
average user:
- the 'opening page' of the VLO no longer presents all the facets, but 
rather invites the user to make a primary selection or enter some search 
terms; it also has links to go on browsing through the entire collection 
of records;
- search results are far more prominent, while not all facets are always 
'expanded', leading to a less cluttered view;
- selection of a specific collection has been visually separated from 
the other (more cross-cutting) facets to guide the user in making a 
relevant selection.

Also, please take note of the following:

- The following additions, among others, have been made since the alpha 
release of VLO 3.0 in March:
     * Added a 'simple search' front page
     * Added expansion of search results items to see more details
     * Added federated content search support
     * Added links to help and error report form
     * Added support for themes, including a CLARIN-D theme
         e.g. <http://catalog.clarin.eu/vlobeta?theme=clarin-d>
     * Added a filter or 'quick search' input to facet selection panels
     * Added an advanced search options box with the option to filter on 
FCS records

- Planned for later (>=3.1):
     * Refined layout and theming
     * Localisation (e.g. a German version)
     * Possibly an advanced search form (complex queries, also allowing 
for AND/OR)
     * Improvements to the facet mapping

- The web applications utilises JavaScript and AJAX quite extensively 
but should be completely functional with JavaScript disabled; if you 
encounter any issues concerning this, please report!

- If you would like to report errors or other issues encountered, please
mention the (approximate) time and date of occurrence so that we can try
to link these to our own logs and reports.

We hope you will like this new version of the VLO front-end and/or send 
your feedback to <vlo at clarin.eu>!

Best,
Twan

On 21/03/14 15:31, Dieter Van Uytvanck wrote:
> Dear CLARIN developers,
>
> An alpha version of the newly designed VLO frontend is available at
> <http://catalog-clarin.esc.rzg.mpg.de/vlo/>. Since this is an alpha
> version, it is not feature complete and it has not been fully tested.
> However in its current state that does capture many of the most import
> user interaction and design aspects.
>
> So feel free to send us your feedback on its functioning, at the
> following address: vlo at clarin.eu
>
> Please take note of the following:
>
> - The following features, among other things, are on the roadmap for the
> beta and final release but are not present in this alpha release:
>    * A 'simple search' start page;
>    * Advanced search options;
>    * Expandable details within the search result list;
>    * FCS search per record or result set;
>    * Theming including a CLARIN-D theme;
>    * An error feedback form;
>    * A cleaned up/revised layout (possibly using Bootstrap CSS);
>    * Showing the actual (current) locations get shown instead of the
> handle of resources
>
> - Some errors may occur if the page is used with javascript disabled
> (reports of this are very welcome!);
>
> - The host of this alpha version is less powerful than the VLO
> production server, which might lead to suboptimal performance. However
> if you do experience performance issues, reports of this are very welcome.
>
> - It you would like to report errors or other issues encountered, please
> mention the (approximate) time and date of occurrence so that we can try
> to link these to our own logs and reports.
>
> best regards,


-- 
Twan Goosen
CLARIN ERIC
www.clarin.eu | tel. +31-(0)85-0091277 | skype: twan.goosen