ExpressionEngine 2.1.5 Beta Released
The EE 2.1.5 Beta has been released. This will be the final beta version before all functionality is rolled into ExpressionEngine 2.2 in June, which will become the new stable version and mark the beginning of our brand new release schedule, quality assurance guidelines (aka, how bugs are handled in a way you can count on), along with a host of other changes here at EllisLab that are geared to make EE the rock solid choice you need it be. We’ve been listening carefully these past five months and we’re excited about bringing changes you’ve asked for very soon. We’ll be writing about these changes between this release and EE 2.2! Now, let’s talk about 2.1.5 and what it brings.
The most significant change in this release is the move to storing file information in the database. The release also includes includes over 50 bug fixes, the removal of the Blogger API module, as well as the addition of some feature requests. During the update process, you’ll see a link for an optional survey to help us identify the core strengths and weaknesses of ExpressionEngine as it is right now. It is completely option, but we’d appreciate it if you could fill it out.
As with the prior beta, this release should not be used on mission critical sites and you do so at your own risk. Please consider using the beta on development sites, personal sites, and sites that are easily rolled back to the stable version should an undiscovered issue prevent you from using the beta version.
So…. you want a little more detail before checking out the beta? A lot has changed. File Upload Preferences have been moved from the Admin section to the File Manager, and a new permission has been added to control who accesses upload preferences. Also added is the ability to set ‘thumbnail’ image sizes and watermark preferences per upload directory. These thumbnails will be created whenever a new image file is uploaded.
A simple ‘Synchronization’ on the File Upload Preferences page allows you to have all files in that directory imported into the database, with the appropriate thumbnails added. You’ll want to synchronize your files as soon as you’re done updating!
Significant changes have also occurred within the file upload modal, which is now used in both the File Manager and the Publish page. Expect more changes here as we add back image manipulation, category and other metadata fields, and greater flexibility when using the new thumbnail features.
This version has been released as a beta version due to complexity and breadth of the changes to file handling. The Wiki, the Moblog, SafeCracker, and the Metaweblog API have all been updated to include the new file handling methods. Third party addons may need adjusting as well.
There are several known issues with this release:
*The ‘File’ module is available in the installable modules, though tags are not yet available for frontend use
*Editing images is not yet reflected in the database records and can result in improper dimensions used in system generated HTML when an edited image is inserted into a textarea field
*The Profiler is displayed during a new install or update
We’ll be working hard to address these issues and any others that arise during this final beta release. There are some ‘must have’ features that you can expect to make it in as well (renaming files, resizing in the file modal, doing something with all of those handy thumbnails you can auto-generate). This beta represents the ‘big move’ to the database approach to files. While we attack any issues that arise from that change, third party developers can catch up with the code changes before we move this to a stable release.
So let us know what you think, what you want, what works and what doesn’t. We’re moving into the final stages of development on this one, and your input is more valuable than ever.
