Custom sorting for page contributors

[ziadbkh]

I would like to report an issue on the Page mechanics page at /page_mechanics. Description of the issue:
Can we do a custom sort for the contributors of the page based on how they appear in the metadata?

[bedroesb]

This is a difficult one, since the contributors are a built in include in the layout of the website, so parameters are not a possible route. I could add a website wide option in the _config.yml file, but I m always a bit hesitant with that 🤔

[ziadbkh]

I am not sure about the website-wide option as I think the order needs to be more flexible as it might change across different pages depending on the roles, contributions, and modification date ...
Very difficult for me to help more without understanding what happens in the background! :(

[ziadbkh]

Is it possible to keep the order as it appears in the list? without using any parameter.
This is more comprehensive, if the user wants to order alphabetically, they can put the names in the list in this order. If it does not matter, they can list the names any way they want.

[bedroesb]

In other places where we use the theme, we don't want to give priority to contributors since they change all the time, and for that we use the (un)fair - alphabetical order (depends how you see it ;)). Out of experience I can tell that people do not place the names alphabetically by themselves, and the fact that it is done automatically takes out any debate.

Long story short, the automatic sorting should stay as an option to take out possible 'drama' that comes with author listings ;)

[ziadbkh]

Last attempt! How about if the first string in the list is sorted, the list will be sorted from the second element. Otherwise, it does the usual behaviour? or too much!

[bedroesb]

You mean the word unsorted so the list will be used as is, and without it it gives the usual alphabetical sorted list? ;)

[ziadbkh]

yes for this case it should be unsorted.
but also the first keyword will act as a parameter to customise whatever you want with the list, for example, to sort according to the roles or group by role and sort within the groups ...