I've upgraded the Thinklings tonight to Bloo Beta 2. This is a pretty big release, and it involved a ton of refactoring and rewriting, as this was the "fix any architecture problems now while there's still time!" release. For those of you with an inner geek, the full list of what was done can be seen here.
For the rest of you, here are the highlights:
- Rewrote the way the components of Bloo ("SnapOns") load, so that it only loads what it needs. Generally re-architected the SnapOns, and in Bloo, everything's a SnapOn, darnit!
- Implemented the CTCode extension SnapOn. This is a spam checker that is quite effective against both trackback and comment spam, and that doesn't require the commenter to answer SimpleHumanCheck questions. This is a Bloo port of the spam controller that my good friend Salguod hipped me to.
- Improved the Comments interface
- Added Theme Screenshots to the administrative interface for Themes
- Improved the Theme administration panel
- Implemented Session messages, to provide a common facility for displaying information and warnings.
- Cleaned up and upgraded the Quicktags buttons, and added Quicktags to the comments form (optional)
- Added extension SnapOns that protect the user from losing unsaved changes to posts or comments if an errant back or close button is pressed.
- Added new themes: Lush, Jill, Quentin, Monochrome.
- Now administrators can associate a blog logo image to their blog.
- Theme Credits now can appear at the bottom of the main page
- Fixed general problems with the RSS interface
- Fixed the problem with Smilies not displaying properly in edited posts and comments.
- Fixed the problem with the PopularPosts extension SnapOn that had it counting removed spam comments in the total comments count.
- And performed a lot more behind the scenes enhancements and fixes.
I've also ported the venerable "Seven Samurai" theme over to Bloo, and it's now the default theme. Soon I'll put back the old "skin chooser" so you can choose your favorite theme to enhance your Bloo experience. Coming later.
Glad this one's done. It was a big, honkin' amount of work because there was so much re-architecting done.
The next version of Bloo will be the big one - the full-fledged Production version 1.0 [insert nerdy "that's so cool!" snort-noises here].
- C.S. Lewis
Trackback URL: http://thinklings.org/bloo.trackback.php/3649.
Glad I could help. :-P
I thought that MT plugin was brilliant in how it created the hidden CAPTCHA and rejected any comments not generated through the comment form. That's cool that you could decipher it and implement it in Bloo.
It's certainly a load off my mind not to have to decide if Blo is real or not every time I comment.
Salguod
Yes, it's brilliant - I've been running it for a few weeks on one of my other Bloo blogs and have yet to get a spam comment. Hopefully we'll have the same success here. Thanks!
TBird - he works at our church with Stroke and Quaid. Not sure why he's not blogging much anymore.
Have you noticed that the line breaks aren't working on your sidebar? Everything is running together. Or perhaps that's on purpose?
I love that graphic too--kudos all around.
As for the sidebar, the line breaks are fine for me, anyway.
I might end up using Bloo for my business website. Granted, its blog software, but I'm definitely liking it.
As for the sidebar, the line breaks are fine for me, anyway.
could it be because I use Firefox?
Hi Maripat,
I use FireFox too and had the same problem. It was fixed when I pressed the refresh button. I did change how sidebar links are styled, and that's what caused it.
Let me know if pressing refresh doesn't fix your problem. Thanks!
David -
Thanks!
If you decide to do that, let me know, and I can be standing by to answer any questions, etc.
OOOOOOH! Buttons in the comment section! I don't have to speak tech to quote anymore! Yippee! Woo hoo! Now, if only there were emoticons, you would get to experience the true cheesy sensation of my essence. :D But then I might not get to come back. :'(
Seriously, it's lookin' good! I love the seven samurai, too. I don't understand all the geek stuff, but this version of Bloo seems a bit like beta-heaven from the features you listed. I'll have to make sure my hubby can get me an official version when it becomes...drumroll...ONE POINT OH!
I don't make nerdy noises. (Snort! hehe)
Rob T is still lurking at Thinklings. We comment live-form at the office. He's probably reading this right now.
Hey Rob!
Damon
thanks for letting me know - could you give me more details as to what's going on? The only issue I know of that I haven't resolved is that Bloglines was having a problem showing old posts as updated. I contacted them and they thought it might be on their end. I'm not sure.
Let me know what the problem is and I'll try to fix. you can email me at bill AT outofthebloo DOT com. Thanks!
I use FireFox too and had the same problem. It was fixed when I pressed the refresh button. I did change how sidebar links are styled, and that's what caused it.
Let me know if pressing refresh doesn't fix your problem. Thanks!
De - that took care of it - thanks! MP
Let me know what the problem is and I'll try to fix. you can email me at bill AT outofthebloo DOT com.
Done. Thank you senor. (you'll just have to imagine that the little squiggly line is over that "n". :-)
And the RSS feed address changed... which I just realized. :)
De - How about adding an option in the comments section of being notified when someone responds to your comment?
Okay, maybe this isn't new, but I just discovered the automatic link when posting a Bible reference. To quote Parker Lewis:
COOLNESS!
Love the Seven Samurai graphic!
