Add support for Bootstrap in MeshCentral, along with a theme switcher

[marclaporte]

"Bootstrap (formerly Twitter Bootstrap) is a free and open-source CSS framework directed at responsive, mobile-first front-end web development." Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bootstrap_(front-end_framework)

We started working to add support for Bootstrap to MeshCentral.

The plan:

• Add Bootstrap support and make it possible to have multiple themes, such as https://github.com/thomaspark/bootswatch
• Encourage capacity for community-contributed themes (documentation, support, etc.)
• Pick an existing Bootstrap theme or create a new one destined to become the new default
• Have a theme picker so users can opt in to the new themes
• The non-Bootstrap themes will go in minimum maintenance mode (so we focus our energies on the future)
• When the community feels it's good enough, a Bootstrap theme will become the new default (and users can still switch back to legacy themes, use their existing custom theme or pick any other Bootstrap theme)
• In a few years, when almost everyone is using the Bootstrap themes, for a major version, we can remove non-Bootstrap themes (We will rediscuss this as a community in a few years)

The code so far: https://github.com/Ndaboom/MeshCentral

[cfoellmann]

I am with you. Time is sparse and I am in no way a node dev but I will support this effort as best as possible

[kambereBr]

A few screenshots of the MeshCentral Bootstrap version in progress. I will regularly provide updated screenshots as the work progresses.

Repo: https://github.com/Ndaboom/MeshCentral

[cfoellmann]

@kambereBr this looks very promising!!

When bootstrap is the foundation it will be far easier to theme. @si458 Is it possible to split the template files for the UI? I am totally oblivious how the nodejs app uses the templates but these mega files are very hard to handle.

[si458]

@cfoellmann The idea at the moment is to have another default.handlebars called default-bootstrap.handlebars

Then, when u specify like ui=1, it will use the new bootstrap ui or ui=0 and use the old one

I do believe the guys are looking at separating the ui into different .handlebar files then people can change certain parts to the hearts content rather than struggling with just a single .handlebar file!

[marclaporte]

We are making progress and we will be looking for testers in about 3 weeks.

[marclaporte]

Next step is a merge request against master and a documented flag on how to activate.

We will start monthly community meetings so we can discuss this and many other topics.

[si458]

New video showing the website is now responsive for mobile devices!

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/02925489-64fc-4b06-a4aa-e25a162250bf

[Ndaboom]

Hello everyone! I’m super happy to introduce our first Monthly MeshCentral Meeting coming this October 31 at 14:00 UTC. You’re all welcome to this community meeting where we will discuss project updates, share ideas, and connect with fellow members. We’re planning to have this meeting every 4th Thursday of each month, so please join us for the first one this October 31, 2024, at 14:00 UTC.

Welcome to all!

Please find more details about this event at the following link: https://github.com/Ylianst/MeshCentral/wiki/Community-Monthly-Meetings

[marclaporte]

@Ndaboom 4th Thursday of October is October 24th

[si458]

@marclaporte i think the 31st is perfectly fine for the very first meeting! it gives us change to fix issues, get things in order and then meet the community 👍 then going forward the 4th thursday of every month