While we were in the midst of our JoomlaChicago meeting yesterday in Palatine, we got the good news that The Joomla! Project released the beta2 version of Joomla 2.5. You can download it and gie it a whirl at Joomla.org. While we don't recommend you use this beta version yet on your own live site, there's really no better way to get to know what's shakin' with the new version than giving it a test drive!

Unless you're a developer who digs into the code, you won't realize significant change to Joomla right away. The suspension will ride the same, handling's still great, with comparable acceleration and mileage. That said, you WILL realize the power of Joomla's re-engineering as new apps and add-ons are added to the Joomla repertoire, providing you with added "snap-on" flexibility to adapt, improve, add, remove and otherwise change and fine-tune your site capabilities as-needed, to fit your market. More to come on this subject...

Feature Changes: There have been a number of new features added to the Joomla Platform itself, which will be discussed in a future article. Feature changes to the Joomla CMS include the following:

• Add support to log deprecated API (Andrew Eddie)
• JToolBarHelper functions for Save and Create New and Save as Copy (Joseph LeBlanc)
• Mod_custom with backgroundimages (Angie Radtke)
• Allow preselection of categories in com_content (Peter Kneisel)
• Add JFormRuleOptions rule to validate type="list" parameters (Mark Dexter)
• Make copy/move consistent across components (Michael Babker)
• Update TinyMCE to version 3.4 (Rouven Weßling)
• New parameters are present for the language switcher (Jean-Marie Simonet)
• Translation teams can now include a css file in their admin pack to change the fonts used in back-end (Jean-Marie Simonet)
• Language manager now displays installed language in tabs (Michael Babker)
• (a few more are under review ...)

Issues & Bug Fixes: Thanks to the efforts of the Joomla! Bug Squad, Production Leadership Team (PLT) Member Mark Dexter reports that 375 bugs have been squashed! Kudos to all on the team who have contributed to these improvements for the entire Joomla Community!

Additional Joomla! Milestone Dates:

• 05 June - Joomla alpha 1 released for public testing
• 10 June - Feature freeze to prepare for beta release
• 13 June - Joomla beta 1 to be released for public testing
• 27 June - Joomla beta 2 to be released for public testing
• 4 July - Version 11.1 of the Joomla Platform to be released
• 10 July - Joomla 1.7 GA released
• 10 August - Joomla 1.6 reaches end of life and is no longer supported
• January 2012 - Next version of Joomla is released
• April 2012 - Joomla 1.5 reaches end of life

Read more on 1.7 on the  Joomla.org CMS Site here.

What is this release NOT for?

This alpha version of Joomla 1.7 is not suitable for production sites. It is to be used for testing only.

When is the final release due?

Joomla 1.7 GA (general availability) is due to be released on or about the 10 July 2011. The planned milestone before and after this date are:

• 05 June - Joomla alpha 1 released for public testing
• 10 June - Feature freeze to prepare for beta release
• 13 June - Joomla beta 1 to be released for public testing
• 27 June - Joomla beta 2 to be released for public testing
• 4 July - Version 11.1 of the Joomla Platform to be released
• 10 July - Joomla 1.7 GA released
• 10 August - Joomla 1.6 reaches end of life and is no longer supported
• January 2012 - Next version of Joomla is released
• April 2012 - Joomla 1.5 reaches end of life

Please note that dates may be subject to change depending on availability of volunteers and circumstances beyond our control.

How do I upgrade to Joomla 1.7?

Upgrading from Joomla 1.6 to Joomla 1.7 will be relatively easy. You will just use the Extension Manager just like you would upgrade from, for example, Joomla 1.6.2 to 1.6.3. This feature is not available for the alpha version of Joomla 1.7.

If you are using Joomla 1.5 then you will still be required to migrate your site using the jUpgrade component. When Joomla 1.7 GA is released you will be able to migrate directly from Joomla 1.5 straight to Joomla 1.7 (you can conveniently skip migrating to Joomla 1.6).

What’s new in Joomla 1.7 so far?

One of the major goals of Joomla 1.7 was to separate the Joomla Platform, that is the engine upon which the Joomla CMS runs, into it’s own product. The separation of the platform from the CMS, and its subsequent reinsertion, was completed last month. The new Joomla Platform includes many new features that will be of interest to developers. More information about those features and the platform will be made available closer to the release date.

Other features have been submitted to the Joomla Feature Tracker by members of the community and several of those are being reviewed for inclusion. Some have already been added to the 1.7 alpha package.

Compared to previous huge releases, such as Joomla 1.5 and Joomla 1.6, Joomla 1.7 is going to be a relatively gentle release with no big surprises.

What happens to Joomla 1.6?

Joomla 1.7 is the direct upgrade for Joomla 1.6. Joomla 1.6 will be supported for critical security issues only for a period of one month after the release of Joomla 1.7. After that time, only Joomla 1.5 and Joomla 1.7 will be available for download and will be supported by the Joomla project.

How can you help Joomla development?

The great news is you don’t have to be a developer to help build Joomla. The Joomla Bug Squad is one of the most active teams in the Joomla development process and is always looking for people (not just developers) that can help with sorting bug reports, coding patches and testing solutions. It’s a great way for increasing your working knowledge of Joomla, and also a great way to meet knew people from all around the world.

If you are interested, please read about us on the Joomla Wiki and, if you wish to join, email Mark Dexter.

You can also help Joomla development by thanking those involved in the many areas of the process. Since the release of Joomla 1.6, a whopping 375 issues have been fixed by the JBS. The project also wants to thanks all of the people that have taken the time to prepare and submit work to be included in Joomla 1.7, and to those that have worked very hard on the Joomla Platform separation project.

Related information

If you are an extension developer, please make sure you subscribe to the general developer mailing list as this is a place where you can discuss extension development and news that may affect custom development will be posted from time to time.

Following is a list of previous news and information about Joomla 1.7 and other sites of interest:

• Wanted: New features for Joomla 1.7
• Working with the Joomla Feature Tracker
• New features for Joomla 1.7
• Potential backward compatibility issues in Joomla 1.7 and Joomla Platform 11.1
• General developer mailing list
• Joomla developer network
• Joomla development strategy

New features - CMS

• Add support to log deprecated API (Andrew Eddie)
• JToolBarHelper functions for Save and Create New and Save as Copy (Joseph LeBlanc)
• Mod_custom with backgroundimages (Angie Radtke)
• Allow preselection of categories in com_content (Peter Kneisel)
• Add JFormRuleOptions rule to validate type="list" parameters (Mark Dexter)
• Make copy/move consistent across components (Michael Babker)
• Update TinyMCE to version 3.4 (Rouven Weßling)
• New parameters are present for the language switcher (Jean-Marie Simonet)
• Translation teams can now include a css file in their admin pack to change the fonts used in back-end (Jean-Marie Simonet)
• Language manager now displays installed language in tabs (Michael Babker)
• (and a few more are under review ...)

In addition, a number of new features have been added to the Joomla Platform. These will be discussed in a future article.

We have kept this event very affordable for everyone and this event is 100% focused on the Joomla CMS.

If you are a company that wants to grow your business then we also have very affordable sponsorship packages that will help get your brand more recognized in the Joomla community.

We are already having signups from all over the world so tickets are not going to last long. Especially at this price. So reserve your spot today!

Visit http://joomladaychicago.com for more information.

Microsoft Technology Center (Aon Center) 200 East Randolph Drive Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60601 Friday Aug 5th - Saturday Aug 6th, 2011
Event Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Oh, and did we also mention that on this same weekend another little event called Lollapalooza will be happening right across the street from Joomla Day Chicago? This event is gonna be AWESOME!

When: January 27th, 11am - 1:45pm
Where: DePaul University Conference Center - 1 East Jackson St, 8th Floor, Chicago
Cost: Complimentary
Lunch: Included (care of Arc Technology Group)

Quarterly CMS Connection meetings are geared toward business owners and managers, interested in using Content Management Systems like Joomla! to achieve successful business results.

Tech-discussion at the quarterly CMS Connection meetings will be relevant to project leaders, discussing business subjects such as ECommerce, SEO and Web-based Marketing, Analytics, Social & Instant Media, Business Strategy and more. Attending the CMS Connection is a great opportunity for business-tech leaders to network with others - live - here in Chicagoland.

Sign Up to Attend

What's the Difference Between JoomlaChicago and The CMS Connection?

Both initiatives are community-powered and organized by the CMS Association. The CMSA's mission is to support Content professionals in the technical, creative and businessworld. Here are the differences:

JoomlaChicago meetings are monthly, in Palatine.
CMS Connection meetings are quarterly, in the Loop.

JoomlaChicago monthly meetings focus on technical training for Joomla! users. CMS Connection meetings focus on business-related subjects for business decision-makers.

JoomlaChicago focuses on Joomla! CMS Connection centers on technology tools such as Joomla! to help business flourish.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Thank you to many folks coming together to foster the qualtiy growth of tech-business here in Chicago: All presenters have generously offered up their time and talents; facilities are underwritten by DePaul University; a delicious lunch is sponsored by Arc Technology Group, and the quarterly meetings are organized by the CMS Association, host of the annual CMS Expo.

Special thanks to Danny Mittleman and DePaul University for providing Chicago location. We hope to see you on January 27th, to come together to promote and strengthen your business through the strategic use of one of the best CMSes on the planet: Joomla!

Sign Up to Attend

At our December core team meeting, we discussed altering the JoomlaChicago Kickstart training sessions.  This will be about the 4th iteration of the KickStart for Joomla 1.5.  Every iteration built upon the previous and has become better and better as time progressed.  This one will be no exception.  The new format will be 5 parts instead of 4 and will include 1 new session run one time per year.

Here's the new cycle information:

Part 1 - Joomla Overview and Installation
Part 2 - Content is King
Part 3 - Content Layouts and Navigation
Part 4 - Templates and Extensions
Part 5 - Kickstart Roundtable Q&A

The new session we will run 1 time per year will be a take on a previous format we've used in our Must Have Extensions main event session.  Only, this time, we are gearing it towards a 101 theme and calling it Kickstart Toolbox: What every site should have.

In 2011, we are restarting the cycle at Part 1 in January to accommodate our new schedule. If you are interested in Part 4 of the current cycle, all 4 parts will be online in the month of January for your review.  We'll start with Part 4 since it is the latest one and get that published for you.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Here is the schedule for the Kickstart sessions for 2011:

January - Part 1: Joomla Overview and Installation
February - Part 2: Content is King
March - Part 3: Content Layouts and Navigation
April - Part 4: Templates and Extensions
May - No Kickstart due to CMS Expo
June - Part 5: Kickstart Roundtable Q&A
July - Kickstart Toolbox: What every site should have
August - Part 1: Joomla Overview and Installation
September - Part 2: Content is King
October - Content Layouts and Navigation
November - Templates and Extensions
December - Kickstart Roundtable Q&A

If you have any questions about our new setup for JoomlaChicago Kickstart, please contact myself or Linda Coonen.

At the last JoomlaChicago meeting, it was announced (I think again) that we were going to be rebuilding the Durty Nellie's website for the restaurant / pub.  I was very happy to hear we are going to perform this as a group effort.  Of course, there are always pitfalls to a "group consensus" design.  We just have to remember we can't ALL have everything we want in the design.  Compromise is key. :)

I'm personally looking forward to being involved either as a tester or developer / implementor of the site.  At the meeting, it was not announced who the leadership will be for the development of the website.  I believe the Core Team is hard at work discussing who to ask to take on such a project.  I'm sure that we will likely hear more about it at the next JoomlaChicago meeting.

Durty Nellies site rebuild should be a very interesting project to be involved with.  It will lend itself to explore quite a few possible avenues.  The venue is available for live concerts, dining, drinks with friends, and meetings.  What functionality will they need to accommodate all these different aspects of the business?  Will it all need to be on the site or will we just include some of it on the site?  What technologies are out there that could help with something like displaying concert information or linking to it from an external source like facebook as an event? 

I can imagine we may find some pre-built extensions that will work for what we need.  What happens if we can't?  Will we need to create a custom extension to handle some pieces of the site?  Will we have to modify some existing extension to work for our needs or change the design of the layout to match our site design?

There's a lot of unanswered questions.  You can be assured that the project will be a good learning experience for ANYONE involved in it.  If you want to be involved, let Linda or John know by putting your name on the evaluations you get at each meeting.  Yes, they do get read by the "management".   We value your feedback and input.

I don't know about you, but I'm really excited to see what JoomlaChicago can come up with for Durty Nellie's! 

Okay, so it's a bit of a strange subject, but it caught your eye, didn't it. ;) 

The subject refers to the kick off of our Business Index project.  I'm heading up this initiative with support from other Core Team members as well.  We're looking to develop a very useful business index that will allow Joomla Chicagoans to find assistance when they need it.  We hope that we are able to have a very strong participation amongst our Joomla Chicagoans.

Our goal is to have a useful, searchable and fairly heavily populated list of people in the Joomla Chicago group.  We want people to participate to not only identify resources in the group, but to also help people potentially increase their business from the group.  If people know about you or find you in the index, maybe they'll be more likely to chat you up at the next meeting!  This index could open up some new avenues for the shyer people in our midst, assuming they participate. :)

Check out the post in our JoomlaChicago group discussions in the site squad.  Oh, you aren't in that group, then join the group and you can read, comment, or just follow the progress of the group as we plan, build, and deploy our upkeeping JoomlaChicago Business Index!

Group discussion: http://www.joomlachicago.com/viewdiscussion/163-Business+Index+for+Joomla+Chicago.html?groupid=5

Interested in being involved?  Contact me on the discussion or through messages on JoomlaChicago. 

Welp, the mad scientists up at 'corePHP' in Battle Creek have gone and done it. As if the WordPress + Joomla! marriage of CMSes wasn't enough for their franken-CMS laboratory, they've gone and invitro-fertilized a Drupal egg with some Joomla! goodness, giving us - you guessed it - Droomla!

Aside from the gory detail of whether Droomla was delivered via C-Section, one wonders, why'd the folks at corePHP lash together Drupal and Joomla DNA, all in one CMS? A few reasons, which boil down to the following:

1. Get all the power of Drupal with Joomla! ease of use.
2. Short learning curve to get Drupal-esque site up
3. Access over 7,000 NEW Drupal-powered extensions (modules)
4. Easier templating options from the Joomla-side
5. Built-in capabilities such as blog engine, document repository, nested categories, etc.

Learn more from our pals at corePHP here.

Suffice it to say, we've nixed about a dozen robots for every fifty or so new members approved (the real-life ones).  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, especially folks who wish to comment on articles immediately (like Johan Janssens, on the recent Nooku article) but after trying out several other automated solutions which did not work, we shifted to the human touch. Hopefully, the human touch is working for you!