Wekan Appearance: Reverting To V7.xx Or Customizing V8.16

Are you a Wekan user who's not quite feeling the latest look in version 8.16? Maybe you're longing for the familiar interface of v7.xx, or perhaps you're just itching to tweak the appearance to better suit your team's workflow. You're not alone! Many users appreciate the flexibility to customize their tools, and Wekan is no exception. In this article, we'll explore the possibilities of reverting to the older Wekan appearance and delve into the options for customizing your current page in v8.16. Let's dive in and make Wekan work best for you!

Understanding Wekan's Appearance Evolution

Before we jump into solutions, it's helpful to understand how Wekan's appearance has evolved. Wekan, like any actively developed software, undergoes changes to its user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) to improve usability, add features, and modernize the look and feel. These updates, while often beneficial, can sometimes disrupt established workflows or simply not resonate with all users. Perhaps you've grown accustomed to the layout of v7.xx, or maybe the new color scheme in v8.16 isn't quite your cup of tea. Whatever the reason, understanding the changes is the first step in finding a solution.

The transition from Wekan v7.xx to v8.16 likely involved several visual and functional updates. These could include changes to the color palette, the arrangement of elements on the page, the styling of buttons and menus, and even the underlying CSS framework. While the developers aim to make these changes improvements, they acknowledge that personal preferences vary, and what works for one user might not work for another. That's why exploring options for customization and reversion is so important. To successfully revert or customize, you'll need to identify specific elements you want to change, whether it's the overall theme, the board layout, or individual component styles. With a clear understanding of what you want to achieve, you can then explore the available methods for making those changes.

Option 1: Reverting to the Appearance of Wekan v7.xx

If you find the changes in Wekan v8.16 too drastic and prefer the look and feel of v7.xx, reverting to the older appearance might seem like the ideal solution. However, it's crucial to understand that a direct, one-click "revert" button is unlikely to exist. Software updates often involve changes to the underlying database schema and functionality, making a simple rollback problematic. Reverting to the exact appearance of v7.xx would essentially mean downgrading your Wekan installation, which can come with its own set of challenges and potential risks.

Downgrading Wekan might involve restoring an older database backup (if you have one) and installing a previous version of the Wekan software. This process can be complex and could potentially lead to data loss or instability if not done carefully. Before attempting any downgrade, it's absolutely essential to back up your current Wekan database and configuration files. This provides a safety net in case anything goes wrong during the process. You should also be aware that using an older version of Wekan might mean missing out on new features, bug fixes, and security updates included in v8.16. Therefore, it's a trade-off between your preferred appearance and staying up-to-date with the latest improvements. If you're comfortable with the technical aspects of server administration and understand the risks involved, downgrading might be a viable option. However, for most users, exploring customization options within v8.16 is a safer and more sustainable approach.

Option 2: Customizing the Appearance of Wekan v8.16

Given the complexities and potential risks of downgrading, customizing the appearance of Wekan v8.16 is generally the recommended approach. Wekan, like many modern web applications, offers various ways to personalize the user interface. These customization options might range from simple theme selection to more advanced modifications involving CSS and JavaScript. By exploring these options, you can tailor the look and feel of Wekan to your preferences without compromising the stability or security of your installation.

One of the simplest ways to customize Wekan's appearance is through built-in theme settings. Wekan might offer a selection of pre-defined themes with different color schemes, fonts, and overall styles. These themes provide a quick and easy way to change the look of your boards and lists. Check your Wekan settings for options like "Theme," "Appearance," or "Display." Experimenting with these settings can often achieve a significant visual change with minimal effort. In addition to themes, Wekan might offer other customization options, such as the ability to change the background image, adjust the font size, or toggle the display of certain elements. These smaller tweaks can collectively make a big difference in the overall user experience. For users who want more control over the appearance, Wekan might also allow for custom CSS. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a language used to style HTML elements, and it provides a powerful way to modify the look of a web application. If you're comfortable with CSS, you can use custom CSS to override the default styles in Wekan and create a truly unique appearance. Keep in mind that custom CSS requires some technical knowledge, and it's important to test your changes carefully to avoid breaking the layout or functionality. By exploring these customization options, you can fine-tune the appearance of Wekan v8.16 to match your preferences and create a more enjoyable and productive workflow.

Diving Deeper: Custom CSS and Advanced Customization

For those who desire a truly personalized Wekan experience, delving into custom CSS offers a powerful avenue for customization. As mentioned earlier, CSS allows you to control the styling of web elements, giving you the ability to modify colors, fonts, spacing, and virtually every other visual aspect of Wekan. However, this level of control comes with the need for some technical understanding. If you're new to CSS, there are numerous online resources and tutorials available to help you get started. Understanding the basics of CSS selectors, properties, and values is essential for effectively customizing Wekan's appearance.

Before diving into CSS modifications, it's helpful to inspect the Wekan interface using your browser's developer tools. These tools allow you to examine the HTML structure and CSS styles applied to different elements on the page. By identifying the specific CSS classes and IDs used in Wekan, you can target your custom styles precisely. For example, if you want to change the background color of a specific list, you would use the developer tools to find the CSS class associated with that list and then write a CSS rule that overrides the default background color. When adding custom CSS to Wekan, it's important to follow best practices to ensure your changes are maintainable and don't conflict with future updates. It's generally recommended to create a separate CSS file for your customizations rather than modifying the core Wekan CSS files directly. This makes it easier to manage your changes and prevents them from being overwritten when Wekan is updated. Additionally, be sure to test your CSS changes thoroughly in different browsers and screen sizes to ensure a consistent experience for all users. With a bit of effort and experimentation, custom CSS can unlock a world of possibilities for customizing Wekan's appearance and making it truly your own.

Community Resources and Support

Customizing any software can sometimes be challenging, and you might encounter obstacles or have questions along the way. Fortunately, the Wekan community is a valuable resource for support and guidance. There are likely forums, online groups, and other channels where you can connect with other Wekan users, share your experiences, and ask for help. Engaging with the community can be a great way to learn new customization techniques, troubleshoot issues, and get inspiration for your own Wekan setup.

When seeking help from the community, it's important to be as specific as possible in your questions. Describe the problem you're facing, the steps you've already taken, and any error messages you've encountered. Providing clear and detailed information will make it easier for others to understand your situation and offer relevant advice. You can also try searching the community forums and documentation for solutions to common problems. Many users have likely encountered similar challenges, and their experiences and solutions might be documented and readily available. In addition to community support, the official Wekan documentation is another valuable resource. The documentation might contain information about customization options, CSS styling, and other advanced topics. By leveraging both community resources and official documentation, you can confidently tackle Wekan customization and create a workflow that perfectly suits your needs.

Conclusion

Customizing your Wekan appearance is definitely achievable, whether you're nostalgic for the look of v7.xx or simply want to personalize v8.16. While reverting to an older version has its complexities, the customization options within v8.16 offer a flexible and safer route. From simple theme changes to advanced CSS tweaks, there's a method to suit every user's technical skill and aesthetic preference. Remember to back up your data before making significant changes and leverage the Wekan community for support. With a little exploration and effort, you can make Wekan not just a powerful tool, but also one that feels uniquely yours. Happy customizing! For more information on web application customization and best practices, check out resources like Mozilla Developer Network (MDN).