Download - What’s new in DotNetNuke 6.2
What’s new in DotNetNuke 6.2?
Bruce Chapman
iFinity Software
SEQDUG Meeting, Mar 22, 2012
What’s the big deal with 6.2?
• Original 6.0 release (codename :Hadrian) July 2011
• 6.0 : UI Improvements, but few new features
• 6.1 : Mobile device support
• 6.2 : Social + Services Layer
Main New Features of 6.2
• Integrated Social Networking features into core – integration of ActiveSocial into platform
• New MVC based Service Layer for building services
Social Features
• Journal Module
– Interpretation of Facebook status updates
• Member Directory
– Listing of site members
• Social Groups
– allows for sub-groups within the site
• Messaging
– member->member messaging
Journal Module
• Similar to Facebook, allows for Status updates posted by site users
• Allows for text updates, photo + attachments
• Set privacy per Journal post
• Administrator : allow photo/attachments, posts per page and length of posts.
• Developers: can post Journal items through Journal API
Journal Module
Member Directory
• Essentially a list of members on the site
• Provides comprehensive search for members
• Social actions : friend, follow
Member Directory
Messaging
• Member->Member private messaging
• Separate from existing DotNetNuke Messaging in User Profile
• Provides messages in conversation format, with replies linked together
• Can send to groups or individuals
• API to allow modules to insert messages
Social Messaging
Social Groups
• Social Groups are a public or private way of members to associate
• Similar in theme but not execution to Facebook groups
• Groups can have a group-specific Journal
• Social Groups are in reality extended Security Roles – ie, existing DNN roles with more metadata
• Implementation in Current CTP is very sparse
Social Groups
Summary of Social Features
• The social features will enable fast building of socially aware applications
• Possible uses:
• Community sites -> schools, sports clubs,social clubs
• Vendor sites -> support, user groups, product suggestions
• Niche social sites -> Facebook and Twitter don’t own the entire web.
• DotNetNuke will take a big leap over the competition with these features
New Service Layer API
• Service Layer – non visual way of interacting with the data stored in a DotNetNuke site
• Comprises of :
– Authentication: ensuring person accessing data is authorised to do so
– Core Functions :Get User Details, Post to Journal, Get Page Details
– Extensible : Implement your own Service functions specific to an individual DotNetNuke Module
New Service Layer API
• Technology– Based on MVC Service Layer with DNN specific
implementation
– Includes a Service Route Mapper to easily map requests to individual actions via the Service Url structure
• Uses in DotNetNuke 6.2 – All the new social features are ‘AJAXy’ – no
postbacks/page refreshes for status updates etc
– This will be expanded in future versions for more tasks
Service Layer API Possibilities• DotNetNuke modules can be opened up to
more than one device/platform
• Creates a large new field for innovation in delivering paired web/desktop/mobile apps for DotNetNuke
• Allows for implementation of new web programming paradigms, like Knockout.js
• Effectively renders the Webforms model of DotNetNuke irrelevant
Other new 6.2 Features
• Tab Hierarchy management – uses Sql 2005 CTE features to improve speed.
• SSL Offloading (PE only) – allows for network load balancing devices to enforce SSL
• Secure user settings – automatic encryption/decryption of personal details
• Profanity Filter for input text (also removes markup)
• Profile enhancements – Read only for user, public/private/friends visibility.
How does 6.2 affect you?
• Site owner : think about how to leverage social features for your site
• Solutions Provider : you can now start looking at combined mobile/desktop/web solutions for clients
• Developers : check compatibility for existing code, leverage new social and service layer
• Designers : large demand for social optimised skins and page layouts
Release Schedule
• CTP 1 : Feb 20, 2012
• CTP 2 : April 2, 2012
• Beta 1 : Apr 23, 2012
• Beta 2 : May 14, 2012
• RC : June 4, 2012
• RTM : June 30, 2012
Estimated release dates only, check dotnetnuke.com for accurate timelines
What to do with 6.2
• Check with vendors for compatibility
• Talk to designers about specific page designs for Journal, Profile pages
• Download CTP and Beta versions and test out upgrade process
• Get involved in feedback and Easter Egg hunt
Questions?
• Slides will be available on Slideshare
• Follow me on Twitter @brucerchapman for notification, or check blog on http://www.ifinity.com.au