PHPFox has just released PHPFox 1.5 Konsort Beta 2 which should be the last Beta release before RC1 is introduced next.
From the announcement:
Version 1.5 Beta 2 has now been released for clients to download. Below you will find some answers to some common questions that might come up. Please look them over before you install this new version.This new version is available for a fresh install only. The upgrade option will be released shortly. We first want clients to test this on test folders and not large live site’s as it is still a “Beta” product under works.
This version is NOT supported by our staff so all tickets will be directed to the forum bug tracker. Support for this version will be brought in once it has reached its stable release.
Once you have fully installed this version please take a moment and read up on this small FAQ which might answer some of your questions here:
http://www.phpfoxtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6172What is Konsort & version 1.5 all about?
Konsort is the new engine that will power all our sites in the near future. Konsort will be fully completed by version 2.0 and we decided to release a version in between our current release version 1.1 and 2.0. Which is where we are now with version 1.5. This is just a stepping-stone to version 2.0 and no major “features” have been added to this version. This system is being released mainly to bring a stable atmosphere for all clients using phpFoX and to get us one step closer to version 2.0. Course the new engine brings in a lot of new features within, like a new OOP driven system. This new engine will be more developer and designer friendly unlike past versions. Not to mention translating a site will be a lot easier as well, though the good stuff for multilingualism is coming in version 2.0. All templates are now stored in 1 main folder and separated from the PHP source code to give an easier time to designers. Plus this will also make things easier when it comes to future upgrades.Konsort also brings in a Plug-in system which will allow developers the chance to integrate other products like VBulletin, phpBB etc… with ease and not have to touch the core phpfox source code. Another handy tool for upgrades in the near future.
Not new for version 1.5 but would like to add just like version 1.1 the package will be 100% open source.
Another big factor and issues we have seen with older versions is how bots were not able to pick up data like they should for clients because the script was not built with SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in mind. This latest version to be released has every page built with SEO in mind and improvements of bots picking up your sites data should rise with this new change.
2 modules have been removed from this Beta version and that is the “Fun” and “Music” blocks. We have decided to release features from version 2.0 a little earlier then we had planned for but think it will be great features to have. These new modules are the “Video”, “Music” and “Games”. Each of these modules will allow your users to upload videos (mpg, avi) or mp3 songs (for music section) and games (flash) to your site. Note these modules are not available for this beta release and will be released as separate builds. Also since the “Fun” and “Music” modules have been removed, these will be released as free plug-ins once our stable version is released. Reason for this is we only want to test our system now before we bring in any plug-ins or 3rd party products. Currently our featured plug-ins are:
- Fun module
- Music module (mp3 uploaded included)
- Rss feeds
- Video module (mpg, avi uploader included)
- Easy HTML site editor
- VBulletin Integration
These will be released once the stable version is out.
We will release more details over the next few days on what’s new with Konsort and things that are coming as well with this new system. Below I have added a highlight of what’s new and some important information before you install.
Requirements and NOTICE before you install:
PHP 5 is still NOT supported with this build. This will be ready for our stable version.
Scripts Requirements:
Operating System: Solaris, Linux, BSD, Windows and Mac
Web Server: API Apache or IIS
PHP Version: 4.3.3 or later (not 5+)
MySQL Version: 4.1.x or later
GD: Yes
Send mail: Yes
PHP safe mode: OFF
PHP register_globals: OFF
PHP magic_quotes_runtime: OFF
PHP open_basedir: OFFSome details on what’s new in this beta version?
- Creating a quiz does not require all 10 questions like before; you must simply fill out 1 question.
- Sent box now added, so the inbox won’t be tied up with the sent box like in past versions.
- Uploading gallery images gives the user the choice if they want the image to be online for “18+” users.
- Uploading gallery images, the user can choose who they want to allow to view their image. (Everyone, Friends Only and Nobody).
- You can now manage your blocked users. Location: My Account >> My Items >> Blocked Users
- Entire Site has SEO URL/Title tags
- Top 6 Friends added to the account and profile areas.
- Ajax shout box now stores details in the database instead of a flat text file.
- Flash Chat included with the system now. (http://www.tufat.com/s_flash_chat_chatroom.htm). This chat software will replace our old chat system.
- All files that need CHMOD write permission are now all located in 1 folder and are only .HTML or TXT files so there is no more a security risk with PHP files being writable like in past versions.
- New class routine to help prevent any sort of XSS or JavaScript injections.
- SMARTY template system is now being used to create all templates.
- PHP and HTML are not separated from each other and all HTML template files are housed in 1 folder.
- PHP core is built around OOP environment.
- Plug-in system added. Will allow developers to easily create plug-ins into the phpFoX system.
- Admins can now ban/unban users.
- Profile fields are now fully editable from the admin control panel.
- Admins can now add/remove membership statuses. (Gold, VIP etc…)
- Watermarking of images has been brought back. (This feature was removed from version 1.1)
- For payment gateways you can now select different currencies: Example: (USD, GBP, EUR, CAD and JPY)
- Mass emails can now send 10,20,30 etc. messages per round instead of all the messages at once. Can also select the membership status you want to mail out, so for example if you only wanted to mail admins it would only send them the message.
- Admins can delete any messages that have been posted on your shout box.
- You now ban IP’s per for an hour, day, month or unlimited.
- New admin inputs, where you can select the “Min birth date year” and “Max birth date year” for your site.
- New themes released (Notice: Not for Beta versions)
- New default theme/logo released (Notice: Not for Beta versions)
Where can I see a live demo?
Right here: http://demo.phpfox.com/Where can I download it?
Go to: http://clients.phpfox.com/index.php?action=my_downloads
Once there download the full package like usual and then you should find a folder called “beta_v1.5” which has all the files needed for this version.
Does the phpfox team support this version?
No, sorry. Any Beta version is not supported so the only thing you can do is report bugs till the stable release is available.
Please report bugs here: http://www.phpfoxtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=52What about BUGS?
With Konsort we can’t add a list of bugs that have been fixed from past versions mainly because it’s a new engine and any bugs reported from past versions have been fixed from the time this version was created. Now course with that said this does not mean this engine will not have bugs since that is highly irregular, so if and when you have time try to use each and every feature the script offers and make sure its bug free. We are going to take time on this beta release and we will not release a stable version till the script is bug free and stable in your eyes. Our development team will continue to beta test the product and we will also hire a company to give us a security and stress test audit to make sure our script is fully stable and safe to release. Your help in improving our system is highly appreciated and is one of the best ways to test a product on a “live” environment with real users.Thank You!
