The reference is a very old product. We're not sure if we're going to keep maintaining it.

We understand that some people use it as a reference for Elgg functions, but if you use a good IDE like PHPStorm or Eclipse you can link Elgg and have autocomplete features and all the references you need.

In the beginning (+/- 12 years ago) I used the reference as well, but ever since I switched to Eclipse (+/- 10 years ago) I haven't looked at it.

There are a lot of good free PHP IDEs available, it'll make coding for Elgg so much easier. Have a look around.

Well, I still used to make use of the reference site. I would be very happy if it could be kept alive!

Not everyone would make use of an IDE. Maybe beginners will do their first steps without. And even after years of coding on Elgg stuff I'm still not using one and definitely don't need it with my style of work... still the reference site was helpful (even more so with better styling that came with Elgg 3). Searching in the engine folder also works (if you prefix your search term with "function "), but if the maintenance isn't too much the reference site would still have its fans.

While an IDE does make coding Elgg easier, Elgg absolutely needs a good reference tool.  I use Zend (running under Eclipse) and love its autocomplete code feature, but this is a terrible way to learn Elgg.  My biggest frustration with Elgg over the years has been its LACK of comprehensive instruction.  I have used the reference site, but the learning curve for using it is super steep and frustrating to start as a new developer.

Supporting and nurturing new users is essential for the long-term success of the Elgg framework.  If anything, I would like the Elgg community to reaffirm its commitment to supporting new users ... going well beyond refeference.elgg.org and learn.elgg.org.  My favorite example of an excellent learning environment is docs.servicenow.com.  

I've updated the config. Hopefully it should update the site tonight with new branches.

Not everyone would make use of an IDE. Maybe beginners will do their first steps without.

true

And even after years of coding on Elgg stuff I'm still not using one and definitely don't need it with my style of work...

Once you start you'll never want to go back ;) Having autocomplete on functions is soooo usefull

Supporting and nurturing new users is essential for the long-term success of the Elgg framework.  If anything, I would like the Elgg community to reaffirm its commitment to supporting new users ... going well beyond refeference.elgg.org and learn.elgg.org.

Any contributions are always welcome. This can also be in how we could improve the beginner experience. Please post your suggestions op https://github.com/elgg/elgg

After some more changes the reference should work again. (Until it breaks again)