Category Archives: Release

Oxwall 1.3: Private Groups, User Block, Invite Friends, etc.

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The long awaited Oxwall 1.3.0 is finally here after extensive quality and beta testing. A huge thank you goes to all the testers for their participation.

Don’t forget to BACK UP YOUR SITE before starting the update. This essential step could save you serious headache in case anything goes wrong. Once again, these are the steps required for a proper update:

  1. Back up your site;
  2. Update the platform (Instructions);
  3. Update all of the installed plugins;
  4. Update your themes;
  5. Enjoy the new version;

New Features

Private Groups (as suggested by users)
This new plugin allows users to create Private Groups, invisible to others. New members can be invited either by admins or by other group members.


Private Forum
Admins and Moderators can now create Private Forums for specific User Roles.

Block Users (as suggested by users)
Users can now block each other. Once blocked, a user will no longer be able to send IM/PM, become friends, follow and add comments to content of the block initiator. Blocking a user will immediately sever all Friendship and Follow links.

Major Improvements

Invite Friends
We’ve completely revamped Invite Friends feature, which is now compatible with new Facebook and Google APIs.

Mass Mailing
User roles can now be selected for mass mailing.

WYSISYG Editor
WYSISYG editor was replaced by simple text area for mobile devices.

Enhancements and Bugfixes

Unsubscribe
We’ve added an additional step to confirm unsubscription.

Maintenance Page
Maintenance Page login link was added for easier Admin access in case the page needs disabling.

Verification Mail
The system no longer sends two emails at once – instead it sends a Verification Letter first, and then a Welcome Letter after the verification.

Google Chrome Attachments
Issue with incorrectly displaying full-size attached pictures in Google Chrome fixed.

Events Improved
Events End Date completely reworked to appear after check-box is ticked.

Mass Mailing Variables
Variables can be added to the Subject now.

User Profile and Dashboard Pages
Minor improvements for these pages management through the Admin Area.

Privacy Improvements
Private album bug fixed.

To prevent any questions regarding the Auto Update – it will appear in your Admin Area within 24 hours after the launch of the update. We hope you like the new release. Do tell us what you think in the forum or in the comments bellow.

Oxwall Launches Beta Testing

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Great news, everyone!

We are launching beta testing for the new build of Oxwall Software. While we continue to improve the quality of the new release, some of you will be able to get your hands on Oxwall 1.3.0 ahead of everyone else.

Now, since we have limited resources to process all bug reports, and also to raise the testing efficiency, we are going to limit the Beta Testing Team this time over. Only Community Leaders, Oxwall Club members, and users with items in Oxwall Store can apply for the access to Beta Testing this time. To do so, simply drop us a line at [email protected], with Claim Beta in the subject line.

Good luck!

 

 

Oxwall 1.3.0 Is On The Way

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Recently we’ve been asked in the comments about the launch of the new Oxwall version. Good news – it’s coming up pretty soon. We’ve been extensively testing the new build in-house, and the quality testing will go on for about one more week.

This time over we’ve prepared some exiting new features for you (including the much anticipated Private Groups and Friends Invite), enhanced many of the existing ones, and also fixed most of the reported bugs. The full list of new features and improvements will be released along with the update, but I think you can get a head-start by attending Oxwall Google+ Hangout on Thursday, January 19, and get the word directly from Oxwall co-founder Emil.

Oxwall 1.2.6 & Oxwall Store Update

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Your eyes don’t deceive you. The second Oxwall release in less than a week is indeed here. We thought that it’s worth pushing it out ahead of schedule. Here’s why.

With this release we open the doors of the Oxwall Store to all paid plugin developers out there. As you might know only free plugins were available for download until recently. Now any developer with a worthy product can set a price on their plugins and sell them at our store. Of course, said plugins (or any other goods in Oxwall Store for that matter) must comply with OSCL – Oxwall Store Commercial Licence.

Note that plugins not developed by Oxwall are sold as is – we are not responsible for any trouble they might cause to your sites, so check all the accompanying documentation very carefully.

To make sure everything is working as it should, please back up your site and then upgrade the software to 1.2.6. Alternatively, just wait for the Auto-update Button, which should appear in the Admin area of your network within 24 hours after the launch of the update.

 

Oxwall 1.2.5: Feature and Quality Improvements

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As promised last week, we have completed Quality Group testing and are ready to bring you Oxwall 1.2.5. A slew of bug fixes and feature improvements are in store.

Now, remember to follow these simple steps to avoid any potential troubles, if you are really impatient and want to update your software manually:

  1. Back up your site
  2. Install the update

Or you can just wait a couple more hours for the Auto Update button (advisable) to appear in the Admin area (it will show up in the span of 24 hours after the launch of the update).

Here is a list of changes:

Newsfeed and Events Improvements

  • Status Update is now integrated into the Newsfeed;
  • Changing Event icon in Newsfeed is now functioning properly;
  • Birthdays can now be configured to show up as Newsfeed items;
  • Changes to Group descriptions and icons are now reflected in the Newsfeed;
  • Notification system for Event commenting added;

User Features Improvements

  • Users without permission to create Groups will no longer see a link allowing them to do so;
  • A bug appearing when reaching photo upload limit is fixed;
  • Search field in Forum now recognizes “/”;
  • ‘Featured’ tab (with user photos and videos) is no longer visible unless there is actual featured content present;
  • Attachment Button functions properly in Internet Explorer now;
  • Right-to-Left text input is now available for WYSIWYG;
  • Option to open a link in a new window is added for WYSIWYG;
  • Option to disable favicon is added;
  • Userlist recognition of ‘&’ symbol is fixed;
  • Language issues fixed in Mailbox and Events;
  • Guest visitors are now asked to Sign-in before viewing Friends Lists;
  • Blog and Links widgets will not be visible on the frontpage until an appropriate item is added;
  • ‘More’ button is functioning properly now on the Blog and Links pages;

Admin Features Improvements

  • Software installation is now possible with an empty password field, if applicable;
  • ‘Page’ GET parameter is fixed in the Forum;
  • Flagged pictures are now reachable even without included description;
  • Mass Mails can now be sent only to active users with confirmed emails;
  • Maximum photo file size in Mailbox can now include decimals;
Enjoy!

Upcoming Oxwall Release

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Dear Oxwall users,

As some of you have noted in the comments section, it is indeed time for another software update. The entire next week is scheduled for the quality testing of feature improvements and bug fixes we have found since the last release.

As usual, have some patience and keep an eye on our blog, for a special notice about the launch of the update. Everything should be ready in about a week and a half.

This time the new release will not bring any major changes, but rather will feature a load of requested and necessary fixes for Newsfeed, Events, Groups, Forums, Mailing Lists, etc. We want to polish up the software in its current form before taking another major step by introducing new features and functions. The full list of Oxwall 1.2.5 improvements will be released along with the update.

Oxwall 1.2.4: Improved Newsfeed, Photo and Video Attachments, oEmbed Compatibility

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Following up on the most recent post about the New Release Scheduling System, I’m bringing you the news about the new Oxwall Update.

According to the new schedule, we have completed the Quality Group Testing last week and are now ready for the public release. This time it is a combination of a major bug sweep operation, as well as the introduction of several key improvements and new features.

As always, don’t forget to follow three easy but crucial steps during the update:

  1. Back up your site
  2. Install the update
  3. Upgrade themes

Here is what’s in store:

New Features

  • Introduction of oEmbed compatibility for the Newsfeed (pasting a link into the Newsfeed will now generate a summary with title, picture or video, like in Facebook or Google+):

  • Introduction of Photo and Video Attachments for Status Updates and Comments:

Improved Features

  • Major improvement in Newsfeed response time and server load;
  • Elimination of WYSIWYG input in Status Updates and Comments (since it didn’t work with iPhones and iPads);
  • Birthday Lists are functioning properly now;
  • Addition of Military Time in Events;
  • Numerous minor improvements system-wide;
  • Numerous minor bug fixes;

Enjoy the Update and lets us know what you think in the comments or in the forum.

The New Release Schedule System

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As promised in the comments section, I bring you some wonderful news. To benefit both end-users and our development team, we are switching to a new Release Scheduling System. Allow me to demonstrate it with a few helpful pictures first.

Up until recently our releases were a combination of scheduled fresh features with all the bug fixes picked up along the way. This system looks nice on paper, but in reality it often led to unexpected delays.

Imagine that we have set out to introduce a New Cool Tool for network Admins. In the past our development team would start working on it, all the while fixing up all the reported issues. But then, instead of releasing quick patches in demand, we had to wait until said New Cool Tool is absolutely ready and can be bundled together with the fixes. Sometimes it would take weeks or even months to be sure the New Cool Tool is actually cool enough for prime-time. Needless to say, the extended waiting period can be grueling, thus we decided to change the situation dramatically.

As mentioned in one of the prior posts, the switch to Mercurial DVCS gives us more flexibility. Namely we now have two development branches in place – Dev and Stable. Dev is reserved for big features, like the aforementioned New Cool Tool, while Stable will cover all the bug fixes and minor improvements.

Let me explain how the new system will work. The end-users will no longer have to wait for the new release in the dark. They will know for sure that the new release will be here every month, bringing along all the Stable fixes that are ready by the deadline. In the meantime the Oxwall team will be busy with two weeks of active development work, and a week of testing and compiling documentation. If, during this time, the New Cool Tool will appear to be ready in Dev, it will also end up in the release, along with the fixes.

Here at Oxwall we believe the new system will further improve the software development dynamics, and reinforce our commitment to producing the best professional user-oriented social network builder out there.

Oxwall 1.2.3

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Well, it looks like three’s the charm, so get ready for another quick update.

This time we have fixed several critical errors:

  • WYSIWYG Java script glitches in Floatboxes
  • Bugs in RSS feed
  • Navigation problems (linked to hidden components)
  • Several general Mailbox issues

As always, be sure to follow instructions during the update!