Finally have a tolerable JSP (java server pages) interface up and running. I’m no web designer but after firing up CSS Edit and reading (then re-reading) the 1.5.2 DSpace manual, I was able to chase away most of the “boxy-ness” of the default JSP interface.   Some things have changed since I last understood DSpace internals (roughly the 1.2 release) but it was similar enough that in no time at all I was back in that “find DSpace and replace with MARS” groove.
I’m certainly ready to say the JSP interface is more stable than Manakin–seems to run smoother and use fewer resources too. Downside? It’s more work to bend it into something visually interesting and it is clearly less flexible.
Given the experience of the past few weeks, today I’m thankful for stable.