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Well, I've made significant changes to the structure of the software system. Two weeks ago, most of the code was using my "Hermes" library. Since then I've changed over to my much improved "Focus" library, which has been a ground-up rewrite of the low-level internals, the very heart of Free Republic. This paves the way for new features, and more importantly, improved functionality of the existing features.

One of the most fantastic features this library provides is the ability to "Skin" the forum by implementing HTML templates to override the default. We'll finally have the presentation separated from the logic-- the HTML separated from the code-- which will allow others to easily create new or improved interfaces. And, with this separation, it should be feasible to implement alternative templates for wireless use, or to take advantage of the very latest in browser technology, while maintaining a trusted if only bland default.

This skinning ability made a brief appearance with the Template setting of several software versions ago. The Classic/Focus Template setting. That was maintained, with great difficulty, in code. This new library will allow those templates to actually be two (or more) distinct HTML files.

Furthermore, those files should be readily available to use in Dreamweaver, etc. We could accept user-submissions of the templates. A talented Freeper could completely recreate the look of Free Republic and share it with others. Such changes go far beyond style sheets (which, btw, are making a return.)