[ANN] Alpha test of the W3C Markup Validator (0.7.0-alpha1)

Dear all,

We are, this week, starting an "alpha test" of the next version of the
W3C Markup Validator (aka HTML Validator).

The test instance will be located at:
    http://validator.w3.org:8001/


* About the next validator version *

The last public release of the validator was version 0.6.7, released
last July. Since then (actually, even before that), the small team of
volunteers (and yours truly) behind the development of the validator
and other tools have been working on another version, tentatively named
0.7.0.

The new version will include a number of changes and bug fixes, for
which we are in the process of building a changelog at:
http://esw.w3.org/topic/MarkupValidator/ChangeLog

For the user, this next version tries to continue the work made in the
last few releases by further improving explanations for the error
messages, and for the cases where the explanations are not sufficient,
by giving better ways to search for answers and/or interact with
www-validator (this list). 

On the architectural side, among other things the validator now uses
templates for its output, which will eventually make it possible to
localize the validator's interface, hence making the tool more
accessible to people around the world.


* Goal of this test *

By opening the next version of the tool to the community of validator
users, we are hoping to get:

- bugs!
  While not revolutionary, the changes in codebase have created a number
of bugs. We have been reasonably squashing them in the past few months,
but having a number of fresh eyes will help spot the remaining ones.
  
- feedback on the course we are taking
 What do you think of the main changes listed in the changelog? Would
you suggest to alter this course, would you add anything? This is not a
requirements phase, so we won't change directions radically, but changes
are still possible at the alpha test stage. Also, now is a good time for
suggestions for improvements of the documentation. 
 
How to contribute? Through the usual channels: either bugzilla if you
are comfortable searching it first and then using it, or sending a
message to this list (as usual, using a good subject and thorough
explanations of the issue you are addressing). 
More instructions at: http://validator.w3.org:8001/feedback.html


* Next steps *

I hope that we can update the test instance every couple of weeks with
a new alpha (and later beta) test, and eventuall release early this
summer... but that will obviously depend on your feedback.

Thanks!
For the W3C Validator Team,
-- 
olivier Thereaux - W3C / QA / Tools
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You can help improve the validator:
http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/www-validator/2005Apr/0031.html

Received on Monday, 23 May 2005 09:40:45 UTC