Forums Template Editor

[johnhenley]

The Forums module uses a number of HTML templates (https://github.com/DNNCommunity/Dnn.CommunityForums/wiki/Templates) to render the module's content. As we continue to modernize the Forums module, more and more content that used to be generated from code is now being rendered using templates.

Our goal is that all content is templated. With v8-v8.2, we are getting closer. But we have a big change coming with v9, where templates will be naming convention-based (#477). You will no longer need to specify which templates are used with which forums. Also, since we now have so many templates, the template editor in the control panel UI will need to be updated to support all of the templates.

But before we do that, we need your help to find out -- "is it worth it?". Does anyone really use the template editor? If not, can we just remove it and focus our energy elsewhere?

In deciding our path forward, which group are you in?

1. We use the templates delivered with the community-default or community-bootstrap themes. No customization is done, and there is no need for a template editor.
2. We customize (either ourselves or using a DNN agency perhaps) but have access to the underlying file system and prefer to work outside of the UI to update templates. We have no need for the template editor.
3. We install DNN, and either use a hosted environment or don't have file system access but still want a way to customize the templates. We prefer the template editor.

Please tell us where you fit, and how you want us to proceed....