Blog Entry
Last week, if you missed it, 2.0.1 of the ExpressionEngine public beta was released. In a follow-up to this release, el jeffe Leslie Camacho has blogged about it on the ExpressionEngine blog. The post is mostly about the distinction between a version and a build.
A Version, also called a Point release, is considered a substantial update and can be identified by a change in the Version number.
ExpressionEngine 2.0.0—> ExpressionEngine 2.0.1
Version updates typically contain fixes, updates, and possibly new features. The bigger the change in Version number, the more substantial the changes.
A Build is an update to ExpressionEngine within the same Version/point number. For example, ExpressionEngine 2.0.0 has Build 20091207 and Build 20091211
Mr. Camacho also goes on to point out the excellent Build Forums whose RSS feed you can subscribe to by clicking here
Blog Entry
In a blog post last Friday (forgive us, we were ill), famed PHP admirer Paul Burdick announced the release of two great Solspace add-ons, one an upgrade and another an original:
1. Repeet 2 — $19.95:
Repeet allows the user to simulate repeating events. When used in a template, Repeet tags display EE weblog entries as though they repeat at an interval set by the author. The repeating effect is only simulated; the EE database is not modified in any way.
2. Template Inspector — $19.95:
The Template Inspector module provides a set of tabs below templates in the template edit page in ExpressionEngine’s control panel. The tabs—Notes, Embeds, Tags, Access, and Preferences—show information about the template currently being viewed.
Congratulations to Solspace on both of these launches.
Blog Entry
Hop Studios has updated their list of the top-trafficked (via Alexa) ExpressionEngine sites. Much to our relief, celebrity news and Canadian deals have all made the list. It really is great to see the diversity of ExpressionEngine and we really do mean diversity: pornography, change and gadgets. Do we even have to make wise-cracks at this point?
For your pleasure, here is the top 10:
- Change.gov: Transition site for Barack Obama
- allkpop: Korean celebrity news
- iLounge: All about iPod and iPhone
- Periódicos Zócalo: newspaper in Mexico
- Totally NSFW: adult content (porn)
- Red Flag Deals: shopping deals
- The Frisky: celebrity news
- Gear Live: gadget news
- SpeedTV: NASCAR news
- Top Gear: BBC car show
Well done, Hop Studios, on putting this together.
Blog Entry
Today marked the first update to the EE 2.0 public beta since it’s initial release last month. Dozens of bugs were fixed, some new functionality added and even a handful of treats for hungry developers.
If you’re interested in the fine details, you should read the Change Log for the full run-down. License holders can get the update in the Downloads section of their ExpressionEngine.com account.
Blog Entry
We’ve all seen the user and system messages that, if unaltered, appear in the standard ExpressionEngine blue. We see it when we log in, we see it when there’s an error. But beside some basic markup and CSS there’s little we can do to affect how they look. We certainly can’t add EE tags or use regular EE templates.
Not until now, that is.
Brian Litzinger today released Custom System Messages, a EE 1.6.8 extension that allows you to customize the messages and use normal EE templates.
This extension lets you define any 2 templates within your template groups to be used as the error page. You have access to all the usual variables from the Specialty Templates, plus a new one, {referrer}. So on top of any EE template tag you want to use in the error page, you have {title}, {meta_refresh}, {heading}, {content}, {link}, and {referrer}. {link} can also be changed to render without the JavaScript history.go() method if you desire. There are 3 options which I called Accessibility in the extension settings.
Read Brian’s forum post and download the extension: Custom System Messages Extension
Blog Entry
This is a on-going series of entries where I highlight EE experiences.
ExpressionEngine 2.0 beta.
Love at first login.
Jason Robb via Twitter
*groan*
Blog Entry
Third cousin site, Devot:ee, is starting a series called Spotlight to discuss how developers build their websites. Their first Spotlight is with the infamous Brandon Kelly.
The spotlight discusses Brandon’s first EE site Navigant Consulting and Brandon’s use of add-ons in the project. The “Spotlight” series holds a lot of promise and we look forward to more from Devot:ee.
Blog Entry
Last week, Ben Croker of PutYourLightsOn released a new module for ExpressionEngine 2.0: FireMail.
FireMail is a complete email tool that replaces the Communicate tab, but that reuses the best of EE’s built-in email libraries. It adds a WYSIWYG editor when composing emails, supports batch sending for sending of mass mails, and allows you to track opens, clicks and unsubscribes resulting from any email you send.
Ben was kind enough to send over a copy of the module for EE Insider to try out.
Viewing email report in FireMail
The reporting lets you view the number of unique opens, how many click the links in your emails received, the number of unopened emails, as well as how many people unsubscribed from your email list after receiving the email.
Composing an email in FireMail
Composing emails in FireMail is just as simple as using the Communicate tool but it includes WYSIWYG editing using CKEditor (the same editor on which Wygwam is based).
FireMail could be a replacement for CampaignMonitor or MailChimp, if you’re sending to low volume lists. If your email lists exceed 100-200, you should use a dedicated service (like the two just mentioned). But for small mailing lists (local clubs, churches, etc), this is a great option.
This module is available only for ExpressionEngine 2.0, costs $49.95 per site and is available now.
Additional Information
Blog Entry
After losing some work while writing in EE, Jamie Rumbelow learned of the partially-implemented autosave feature in EE 2.0.
One of the great new features that have been implemented in the EE2 BETA is autosaving. With autosaving enabled and the publish page open, the system will repeatedly save the current post you’re working on, so if the unforgivable happens and you loose your post, you can get it back from the autosave feature. Unfortunately, in 2.0, autosave isn’t enabled by default, but it’s easy enough to do.
Jamie provides instructions on how to set that in your config.php file. As he notes in his blog post, autosave is only working for the edit form and not for the publish form when you’re creating a new entry.
Read his entire post: Enabling autosave in EE2 BETA
Additional Information
Autosave hidden configuration variable for EE 2.0
Blog Entry
Theme creator and retailer WooThemes have announced the availability of themes for ExpressionEngine. They’re calling them “WeeThemes” and there are now three available for ExpressionEngine 2.0: Bueno, Coffee Break and Fresh News.
The cost of the themes are $90 and $180 depending on which license you select. The more expensive option is a multi-site license and includes the PSD files.
Read their announcement: Welcome to WeeThemes
(Thanks to Omkar Nalamwar for the tip via email.)
Blog Entry
The Webdesigner Depot offered up a list of “40 Excellent Websites Showcasing Expression Engine [sic],” which included some great EE sites like Devot:ee and 31Three.
I would argue that these sites, all of which I find beautifully done, aren’t showcasing ExpressionEngine. They’re showcasing the pool of great design talent that is using ExpressionEngine. That isn’t a criticism; it is a huge asset to our community that so many talented designers are using EE.
There are thousands of beautiful sites not on EE. They’re not wonderfully-designed sites because of the software they use but because of the talent of the designers and developers. Heck, you could probably even design a beautiful site in Joomla! if you tried hard enough (but I encourage you not to). ExpressionEngine just lets us get our sites built faster, with more flexibility and, yes, without imposing layout and design restrictions.
Check out the entire showcase and see a nice snapshot of the great design talent in our community.
View the showcase
Blog Entry
CartThrob, a new shopping cart add-on for EE, is looking for beta testers. I know many of you have been looking for a truly great integrated shopping cart solution. Here’s the description:
CartThrob is truly integrated with ExpressionEngine, extremely flexible, and offers full integration with payment gateway systems (including Authorize.net, and Paypal Website Payments Pro.) We’ve been using it on production sites for over 6 months now, and the front-end cart portion of the software is very stable. However, we’re in the process of simplifying the backend setup & installation, refining features and functionality, and finishing the documentation, so we still consider it beta and we’re looking for feedback and real world usage.
You can find information on how to join the beta in the forums.
UPDATE: Thanks to Erik for letting me know that this is Pro Network only invite. My apologies to those of you unable to sign up through the forums, but you can submit your application here
Blog Entry
For the first time, bringing CDN interaction to ExpressionEngine, his Lordship Pragmatic Grand Admiral Stephen Lewis has launched BucketList. The description says it all:
Introducing BucketList. Seamlessly integrate Amazon S3 with your ExpressionEngine website, for just $39.
We’ve been using BucketList here at EE Insider and loving it. I highly recommend this add-on if you’re doing any sort of content serving, which most of you are. The benefits of a CDN directly in ExpressionEngine can not be hyped enough. Look forward to a screencast from us here at EE Insider this week and congratulations to our man across the pond for getting this together in such a wonderful form.
Blog Entry
EECI 2010 (Yank edition) has launched. The conference, which goes from May 31st-June 2nd features some of the finest members of the ExpressionEngine community. So what is EECI?
If you are enthusiastic and passionate about ExpressionEngine and CodeIgniter, then EECI2010 US is the conference for you. With internationally renowned speakers and a packed social schedule, EECI2010 is bringing the best of the community to San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center. Come with us, break new boundaries and meet new friends.
Speakers include our infamous leader, Ryan Irelan, Rick Ellis, Leslie Camacho, Erskine Design, everyone else from the last conference, plus Mark Huot: who alone is worth $275. That’s the early bird registration fee though, so expect it to cost more at a certain point.
It looks like a great conference, and is in yours truly’s backyard (a fine city). I suggest you grab your tickets while they’re still available. Congratulations are in order to the entire EECI 2010 team for putting this great-looking conference together.
Blog Entry
This is a on-going series of entries where I highlight EE experiences.
And so begins the task of converting 5 years of Wordpress posts to ExpressionEngine. Wish me luck.
Jesse J. Anderson via Twitter
Good luck!
Blog Entry
Rather than point out all of the little instances in separate entries, here’s the deal with some parameters in EE 2.0. “On” is now “Yes,” “Off” is now “No.”
The biggest change (at least as far as the first response to any EE problem is concerned) is dynamic=“off”. It’s not off, it’s no!
{exp:channel:entries limit="5" dynamic="no"}
...
{/exp:channel:entries}
This also goes for dynamic_start, relaxed_categories_mode and sticky.
So, next time someone asks why their most recent entries won’t display in the sidebar of their site, you can shout: dynamic=“no”!
Blog Entry
It’s a little late, but here is your weekly Devot:ee, returning from its holiday break.
Thanks to Ryan Masuga for putting this together.
Blog Entry
Michael Lohrman launched a new design blog last month called That Dead Pixel. The blog is running the freshly baked ExpressionEngine 2.0.
There is still slim pickings for EE 2.0 add-ons, but for this project Mike used the Gravatar and Twitter Timeline plugins.
Visit That Dead Pixel
Blog Entry
Top selling products on PragProg.com, as printed in the January 2010 of PragLife.
Thank you to everyone who purchased the ExpressionEngine 2.0: A Quick-Start Guide beta book. I found out today that it was the top selling book at the Pragmatic Programmers (my publisher) online store for the month of December. This is among books on Ruby, Ruby on Rails, iPhone development, Java and more. This is a great showing for the ExpressionEngine community!
I hope everyone that picked up the book is finding it helpful. If you have any feedback, please use the errata page to report suggestions, incorrect information or typos.
I’m busily preparing the final book to send off to the printers. After that the printed version of the book will begin to appear in bookstores and online retailers like Amazon.com.
I wanted to share this exciting news with you. Viva la ExpressionEngine!
Blog Entry
Brian Litzinger has released Redeemer for ExpressionEngine 1.6.8. What, precisely, is Redeemer?
Redeemer is the first ExpressionEngine module for managing coupon codes. You can create them from the control panel, and even let users create their own codes based on an action they perform. On Twitter I mentioned I was building this and I got a couple of responses along the lines of “why don’t you just use EE’s built in Weblog to create coupons?” I could have done this, and thought about it, but you can only create a basic coupon code system with EE’s built in features. You won’t be able to easily, if at all, manage the number of times a coupon can be redeemed before it is invalid, limit by the user’s IP address, or member ID. You also won’t be able to generate new codes in the templates, and creating randomized codes would still require an extension or plug-in.
I love these little pocket add-ons for small tasks. Keep on rockin’ Brian. Keep on rockin’.
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