We’re excited to announce the release of BMLT Server 4.0.0, a major milestone that brings a completely redesigned user interface to the Basic Meeting List Toolbox.
What’s New
Brand New User Interface
The headline feature of 4.0.0 is a completely rewritten user interface built with modern web technologies (Svelte). This new UI offers:
- Improved responsiveness across all devices, from desktop to mobile
- Better accessibility following modern web standards
- Enhanced user experience with faster load times and smoother interactions
- Multilingual support with translations for Spanish, French, Danish, and more
- Modern design that’s easier to navigate and more intuitive to use
The new interface maintains backward compatibility with existing workflows while providing a foundation for future enhancements.
Custom Login Notices
Administrators can now display custom notices on the login screen using the new $bmlt_notice configuration parameter. This is perfect for communicating important updates to your users:
$bmlt_notice = 'We've upgraded the BMLT to 4.0.0 with a new interface! Please report any issues to bmlt@example.org';Bug Fixes
- Fixed a bug that prevented the NAWS Export from working with newer versions of MySQL
Breaking Changes
While we’ve worked hard to maintain compatibility, there are a few important changes to be aware of:
Installation Process Changes
The installation wizard has been removed in favor of a simpler, more reliable installation process. If you’re setting up a new server, please refer to the updated installation documentation in installation/README.md.
Deprecated Settings
The $default_minute_interval auto-config parameter has been deprecated and is now fixed at 5 minutes.
Technical Improvements
Under the hood, 4.0.0 includes significant architectural improvements:
- Improved TypeScript support for better code quality and developer experience
- Enhanced API error handling with better feedback to users
Upgrade Notes
Before upgrading to 4.0.0:
- Ensure you’re running PHP 8.2 or higher
- Back up your database and configuration files
- Review the changelog for any changes that might affect your specific setup
- Consider testing the upgrade on a staging environment first
The upgrade process will automatically migrate your data and settings. The new UI is enabled by default, providing immediate access to all the new features.
Language Support
Thanks to our dedicated community translators, the new UI includes translations for:
- Spanish
- French
Future releases will contain translations for more languages
Looking Ahead
This release represents more than just a new interface, it’s a foundation for the future of the BMLT. The modern codebase will enable us to more easily respond to the evolving needs of NA service bodies around the world.
Get Involved
The BMLT is an open-source project maintained by volunteers. We welcome contributions of all kinds:
- Report bugs or suggest features on our GitHub repository
- Contribute code – see our contributing guide
- Help with translations to make the BMLT accessible to more communities
- Share your experience and help other service bodies get the most out of the BMLT
Resources
Thank You
A special thanks to all the contributors, testers, and service bodies who helped make this release possible. Your feedback and support continue to drive the BMLT forward.