Rotate list of Sage dependencies on main web page

[wbhart]

Here is what I wrote on the sage-devel list describing this issue:

"I've been aware for a while that some libraries are not happy that their package is not explicitly mentioned by name on the sagemath.org home page and that you have to click through to the "and many more" to see their package credited.

I have a suggestion how this could be made more equitable for the many dependencies of Sage. The home page could randomly rotate the names of external dependencies that are listed on the main page so they all get equal exposure. It could even say, "Here is a selection updated randomly: ....... but there are many more". (My apologies if this is already the case, but after a number of refreshes, the list doesn't appear to change, presently.)

Obviously, the intention of this suggestion is to bring more prominent credit to authors of those other packages, which they deserve. As such, I'd prefer if we could avoid discussions to justify listing only certain packages on the main page (other than technical considerations, such as limited space on the main page), as this would have the opposite of the intended effect, which is to prominently recognize their work, which is well-deserved.

I'm aware there may be other technical considerations, such as static vs dynamic nature of the html, SEO optimisation considerations related to regular changes to the page, etc. I guess those need to be considered. But I also believe this is a very important social issue, or I wouldn't raise it.

(The alternative, of course, would be to remove the short list on the main page and only have the very long list on the "and many more" page.)

Sorry it's taken me so long to get around to mentioning this, after it had been repeatedly brought to my attention by various people over the years."

[nthiery]

I like the idea! This indeed is an important social issue.

[vinklein]

PR #134 propose an horizontal scrolling list solution, you can see an example here.

[vinklein]

I have created a poll to help the decision between an horizontal scolling list or a "static" selection updated randomly https://framadate.org/kxRhiWt1dx95MCr5

[mkoeppe]

Any progress?

[vinklein]

I don't really know what to do. Is ten vote on the poll enough ? I have a branch ready to push for the "A random sample of package generated on reload" if needed (https://github.com/vinklein/website/tree/issue133_randompkgsample).

[haraldschilly]

I don't know what the status of this is. In the sage-devel thread, several were against animations. I agree with them. Also, changing the poll after some have already seen it is maybe not the best way to gather objective data. I'm rather for a new thread with three concrete options:

• [ ] no change: i.e. show a selected sample of packages and a link to the page with all of them
• [ ] show only a link to the alphabetical list of all packages
• [ ] show a random sample of packages (about 5), with a link to the page with all of them

how about that?

[vinklein]

I agree