The Next Generation Community Builder 2.0.1 is here
and it's free to download.
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Community Builder 2.0.1 is a maintenance release that fixes all issues (see discussion thread for detailed list) identified since the Community Builder 2.0 release.
I quick reminder for those that will be upgrading from a CB 1.9.1 environment:
- Unlike CB 1.9.1, CB 2.0 is now a single installable Joomla package that automatically installs component, modules and plugins
- Make sure your PHP upload_max_filesize parameter is set to at least 4M - see our Checking your PHP Settings tutorial for more info about this
- Check our Add-ons Compatibility Status page before you start and have latest CB 2.0 add-ons handy so you can upgrade them after your CB 2.0.1 installation
- Make sure that you have a full backup available before you upgrade
- If possible test your upgrade process on a cloned environment before attempting to upgrade your live site
Don't be alarmed by these steps as they are just precautions that you should really take whenever you do any upgrades on your live sites.
Enjoy this free update and discuss this on our forums.
The Next Generation Community Builder 2.0 is here
and it's free to download.
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CB 2.0 is a major release and has hundreds of new features that cannot be listed in this release announcement but are summarized in the following benefits/features summary brief:
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And all of this is built on the state of the art powerful XML MVC AhaWow engine technology that will help the development team roll-out even more fantastic new features.
We have also followed the Joomla example and now provide online free help pages for all our Community Builder administration pages. All you need to do is click on the Help button from any CB 2.0 backend page. We will be moving all our documentation to an online format and we are also in the process of updating our website also.
What about the add-ons, you ask ?
Yes, Community Builder 2.0 ia totally free but there is so much more you can do with our Advanced and Professional add-ons. We have been working to get all our add-ons CB 2.0 ready and have manage to complete this task with some exceptions. As we did not want to delay our announced release date we will be working as quickly as possible to fill in the gaps. Your are welcome to follow our add-ons compatibility releases progress and give your feedback.
One noteworthy fact that we are really proud about is that our free Community Builder 2.0 has been bundled with eleven (11) previously commercial add-ons!
What about the CB Packager page ?
We are working to get our CB Packager page updated to work with CB 2.0 dependencies. In the meantime we have created 2 mega packages in the Advanced and Download areas that each contain all CB 1.9.1 compatible add-ons just in case you need the latest CB 1.9.1 compatible add-ons in one bundle. The CB 1.9.1 compatble Advanced download bundle and the CB 1.9.1 Professional download bundle containing the latest CB 1.9.1 add-ons and the CB 1.9.1 compatible Quickstart PRO package is also available.
Did I hear someone mention Continuous Integration ?
Yup, starting now we will be providing daily (or nightly) continuous integration releases of CB 2.0 to start with and of all our other add-ons as they get their FC status releases. This way paid members will not have to wait for minor bug fixes as they will be able to grab the latest CI release with latest fixes. Of course you need to do your own testing to make sure everything is ok as such CI releases are not following the normal release procedure.
Language Plugins ?
Our Community Builder Transifex project has been updated with latest CB 2.0 language resources and our translation teams are working to get their language translations completed. We will be introducing a new language plugin area that will automatically create daily builds from individual transifex projects. So if you are interested in helping out this is your chance.
What is this Powered by Footer ?
CB 1.9.1 and earlier releases have the Community menu on user profiles with copyright information. Its removal is authorized to all paid members. We are switching to a different concept. So as of CB 2.0 the Community Menu is gone and in its place there is a new Powered by Community Builder footer link on frontend CB pages. Paid members are once again authorized to turn this off by downloading and installing/publishing the new CB Footer plugin (Advanced download area)
We have also introduced a less expensive method for people that just want to remove the footer. You can purchase a CB Footer removal subscription to download and the CB Footer plugin for all your CB 2.X websites for the introductory price of 10 euro. Considering other similar practices this contribution is in-our-opinion very reasonable. But to make it even more attractive as a CB Footer removal subscriber you will automatically receive a 10 euro coupon for your next Joomlapolis membership, CBSubs, or Templates purchase. Learn more by reading the Community Builder Footer Removal article.
The Next Generation Community Builder 2.0 RC3 release is here and 2.0 stable is just around the corner !
All Community Builder 2.0 RC2 identified issues have been fixed and all planned features implemented!
We are now in deep feature freeze mode and we will only be addressing reported bugs. This way we will reach a Community Builder 2.0 stable release very soon.
Once again, this RC3 build is available for download by all paid supporters (Advanced, Professional and Developer members) from the Advanced download area.
Totally and completely mobile ready
One of the ongoing tasks of the Next Generation Community Builder is to make everything perform as best as possible on all viewing devices. We have been testing frontend and administrative pages on mobile phones and tablets and the results are impressive.
A mobile device is not recommended of course for heavy configuration tasks, but if needed - with CB 2.0 - you can do any administrative task using your hand-held smartphone. User management, workflow approvals, profile banning, user blocking and even CB Mass Mailer tasks are now completely mobile ready!
New RC3 features
This latest RC release has the following major new features implemented:
- Easy access to administrative tasks with new dashboard page
- Awesome mobile and tablet usability experience with improved responsiveness on all administration pages
- Quick tab, field and list cloning with new Save as New and Save as Copy buttons
- Easy mass changes to users are now a piece of cake with the new Batch tools on CB User Management page
- Cool and clean looking Yes / No radio buttons with new styling for Yes/No toggles on administration pages
- Quick access to administrative tasks with new submenus in Joomla navigation Community Builder menu
- Non-intrusive Powered by footer that replaces the Community About CB menu
Roadmap to CB 2.0 stable
CB 2.0 RC3 is the last planned release candidate build. Our goal is to only address reported issues and release CB 2.0 stable.
During this testing period we will be working on preparing new CB plugin releases for our existing add-ons (CBSubs, CB Activity, CB Auto Actions, CB Connect, etc.) and releasing them when CB 2.0 stable is released.
So, our tentative plan is:
- Release CB 2.0 RC3 to paid-up members (done).
- Gather feeback from testing community and fix bugs and of course continue our own internal testing.
- Work to get all our existing add-ons fully CB 2.0 compatible
- Release CB 2.0 stable 1-4 weeks (depending on testing feedback and reported issues) after our RC3 release.
How can I help ?
CB 2.0 RC3 is available to all paid members for downloading and testing (not recommened for live website usage yet). We need a full spectrum of testing, including new website first time CB installations and upgrades from CB 1.9.1 sites. We have prepared some test case scenario outlines and posted them in our discussion thread below. The more testing feedback we get the quicker we release CB 2.0 stable.
Community Builder 2.0 RC2 is here with all identified CB 2.0 RC compatibility issues fixed and with new column sorting on all administration pages!
CB 2.0 RC2 has awesome features and benefits and is another major step towards the stable 2.0 release. Once again, this RC2 build is available for download by all paid supporters (Advanced, Professional and Developer members) from the Advanced download area.
Check our is CB 2.0 RC for you section to review how to use CB 2.0 RC2 on your existing or new Community Building projects.
We need your help and feedback to test this new release and quickly reach a stable 2.0 release. We will continue keeping you informed by updating our CB 2.0 RC2 Issues and Progress reporting thread.
As announced, the next generation Community Builder 2.0 RC is here and available for download by all paid up supporters from the Advanced Download area.
CB 2.0 RC has an awesome new look, new styles for profile images, new user list grid layout, new canvas fields, new gallery images, 22 built-in field types, powerful batch processing and advanced searching administrative tools. Everything is now nicely wrapped into a single installable Joomla package that provides extensive flexibility for you to support your specific community / members website.
CB 2.0 RC has over 135 new features, 80+ bug fixes, newly designed and responsive page layouts, new graphics library, new jquery library, fontawesome and icon support, new configuration parameters and the powerful XML MVC AhaWow engine technology under its hood.
Is CB 2.0 RC right for you?
The following statements will help you decide if CB 2.0 RC is right for you.
CB 2.0 RC:
- is a major features release primarily meant for testing purposes and early adaptors
- is compatible with Joomla 2.5.24 / Joomla 3.3.3 or better
- is not a stable release and this is not recommended for live production sites
- is not compatible with Joomla 1.5 or Joomla 1.0
- is not fully compatible with CB 1.9.1 plugins
CB 2.0 has been addressing backwards compatibility with CB 1.9.1 released plugins, but we have identified some CB 2.0 plugin compatibility issues that will need new plugin releases to resolve.
Our recommendation is that you can use CB 2.0 RC:
- on your new (under development) websites
- to test and evaluate its functionality
- on your clonned Joomla 2.5.24 / Joomla 3.3.3 CB 1.9.1 websites (see CB 2.0 plugin compatibility issues) to test and evaluate
Next Steps
The roadmap towards a CB 2.0 stable release is:
- Gather testing coverage and problem reports from memberhip community (please test and post feedback on this article discussion thread - see link at end of article)
- Address all identified issues and post weekly progress reports
- Release new RC builds if needed and back to step 1
- Release CB 2.0 stable when number of unresolved major RC reported issues is zero
In parallel we are working on our new online documentation areas for CB 2.0, but in the meantime all CB parameters have their own embedded tooltip assistant messages and we are always available to help on the forums.
- Joomla 3.3.3 and 2.5.24 Released
- Community Builder 2.0 beta 5 released !
- Joomla 3.3.1 and 2.5.22 Released
- Community Builder 2.0 beta 4 released !
- Joomla 3.3 Beta 2 Released
- Community Builder 2.0 beta 3 released !
- Joomla 3.2.2 and 2.5.18 released - CB 1.9.1 needed
- Community Builder 2.0 - CB 2.0 beta 2 released!
- Community Builder 2.0 b1 released!
- Joomla 3.2, 2.5.16 and CB 1.9.1 released!