ILance 3.0.0 Beta 2 Is Here!

[Peter]

Greetings,

Beta 2 introduces Templates Management and Enhanced Windows OS support:

WHATS NEW

XML Manager: Import / Export Language Phrases and Email Templates for easy online/offline language management
Template Manager with advanced "Skin" technology (makes adding, updating, removing of templates/CSS a breeze)
Auction Manager (search auctions, moderate auctions, update auctions, remove auctions, etc)
Attachment Manager (search, moderate and review global marketplace attachments from one central location!)
Credentials Verification Manager (view pending and paid profile verification requests)
Referral Manager [w/New Tracking Feature] (view referral activity from members luring other members)
WYSIWYG [+ BBCode Editor] Supports Rich Emulated HTML code for auction descriptions and LanceKB articles!
FlashDB (Similar functionality to PHPMyAdmin only via 100% Flash MX technology that manages your DB!)
PMB Private Message Attachment Support (members can now upload/download media within PMB area!
PMB Private Message Support (staff can now join in on a private message conversation from admin cp!)
PMB Popup width and height globally configurable via Admin CP
WHATS CHANGED

Admin CP > Settings > Templates MOVED TO: Admin CP > Languages > Templates
No More Floating "V3 Left Nav" CHANGED TO: Pure Members Control Panel with Side Left Menu
Date functions re-written to support international languages and locales (Eg: May, Mai, etc)
Time functions re-written to support [posted 1 min ago, 1 hour ago, 1 week ago] enhancing user experience
TECHNICAL

Advanced Template Conditionals (extend the development nature of the templates within new v3.0.0 framework)
Interactive Example
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<if condition="$is_member">
<tr>
<td>Account Menu</td>
</tr>
<else />
<tr>
<td>Please Login</td>
</tr>
</if>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Regular <if name=""> condition example (still available):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<if name="is_member">
<p>Welcome back member!</p>
</if name="is_member">
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHATS FIXED

Multilanguage Concept (some issues with certain lanaguages -- FIXED!)
Category Manager (some issues with creating subcategories for the product category system -- FIXED!)
Firefox / IE Visual elements and issues within the Client Side / Admin Side Navigation system -- FIXED!
Paypal IPN Class (not updating members accounts -- FIXED!)
TODO

[=] Moderator CP (25% complete)
[=] Escrow Manager (90% complete)
[=] Bids Manager (25% complete)
[=] Feedback Manager (25% complete)
[=] Merchant/Service Provider Pulldown Feedback Menu (90% complete)
[=] LiveSync Windows OS support (currently unavailable)
[=] Client Navigation Menu Configurability (pending)

COMPATIBILITY

There are no known compatibilty issues on any flavor of linux operating systems other than the turing image (registration security feature) on servers running on Solaris (which can now be disabled). Windows Operating Systems work as long as the database is MySQL running with Apache + PHP server installed. Due to the eCommerce abilities within 3.0.0 (supporting live credit cards), Windows servers will be required to install CURL and/or LibCurl over SSL to make a valid connection to Authorize.Net and/or PlugNPay.com payment processor.

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RELEASE?

This upgrade applies to all ILance beta testing customers who purchased ILance and have an active support membership (12 month support period). In order to login in the clients area use the password received in the welcome email or when you originally ordered your beta 1 license. For more information, contact us directly.

IS THERE A ONLINE DEMO?

Yes, v3.0.0 beta 2 was thrown up in minutes on one of our domains. Have a look:
http://www.iphp.ca/

WHERE CAN I DISCUSS THIS RELEASE?

Beta Testers may discuss this release within this forum:
http://ilance.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=50

WHEN WILL 3.0.0 RELEASE CANDIDATE 1 BE RELEASED?

After the final release of ILance 3.0.0 Beta 3. This is beta release #2. Hold yer horses folks! http://ilance.ca/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Peter]

Greetings,

It's been brought to our attention that with the new release of ILance 3.0.0 beta release #2, and all the multilanugage nature of the application good to go, it seems some servers cannot make use of a regular PHP function:

mb_detect_encoding()

From the PHP.net manual:



(PHP 4 >= 4.0.6, PHP 5)

mb_detect_encoding -- Detect character encoding
Description

string mb_detect_encoding ( string str [, mixed encoding_list [, bool strict]] )

mb_detect_encoding() detects character encoding in string str. It returns detected character encoding.


We will be adding this installation "checkup" to the new installation system of ILance v3.0.0 beta 2. If you do not have this module enabled, please contact your website hosting provider to "enable" this module else the installation system will not continue it's regular installation tasks.

We are presently looking info a quick workaround (perhaps a customized function) that can perform the same actions as mb_detect_encoding() without the need for this additional module from your hosting provider.

Please stay tuned for more news about this topic.

Notice to ILance Hosting Customers - This module is enabled and functioning normal. Your installations should not be affected by this function.

Update -

We will be using this function to check if your PHP software has the appropriate function available:


if (function_exists('mb_detect_encoding'))
{
echo "MultiByte functions available. [CHECK]\n";
}
else
{
echo "MultiByte functions are unavailable. [FAILED]\n";
}


Peter

[pipedragon]

Wow!!! Peter, the Demo looks fantastic!!! Can't wait to load it up!! :D

[keifa]

:confused:
Hi,
I was really disappointed on the release of the v.3.0.0, I knew it will be different but not so different, why adding product buying/selling like thousand of website are doing?.
The design is so different this one looks horrible where is the nice and smooth one from the 2.1.7 with this beautiful start page way more attractive than the 3.0.
Ok sur I admit that the new one has a lot of more options, more security and reliable.
But it's that possible to keep the design and the options of the v2.1.7 and just applying the main update (like security, languages,advertising...) of the v3, or is that just something totally different?
Tell me please.

[Peter]

:confused:
Hi,
I was really disappointed on the release of the v.3.0.0, I knew it will be different but not so different, why adding product buying/selling like thousand of website are doing?.
The design is so different this one looks horrible where is the nice and smooth one from the 2.1.7 with this beautiful start page way more attractive than the 3.0.
Ok sur I admit that the new one has a lot of more options, more security and reliable.
But it's that possible to keep the design and the options of the v2.1.7 and just applying the main update (like security, languages,advertising...) of the v3, or is that just something totally different?
Tell me please.Yes, it's very different in terms of almost everything (design, framework (big one), and another big change is "templates" and how easy it is to add, remove or update a template (no php codes, just html and css).

Features within ILance v1 and v2 have also been integrated / ported to the new v3.0.0 framework but provides less clutter, much more orgainzed in terms of programming / development and makes it almost too simple to add a new template, page, section, etc to your marketplace (for the average webmaster to dig in and be a part of without reading 10 books on how to use HTML and/or PHP languages).

Another thing I'm noticing is you are showing as "Unlicensed". I'm just wondering if you have had a chance to not only review the "front end / new design of v3) but the actual "features" and control you have as well.

Keep in mind, we understand it's almost impossible to please every customer, at the same time, the templates have been reduced, much easier to maintain and work with (so you can do what you like), and those points you've made about:

Security
Languages
Advertising
Play almost the biggest role of your investment when making the choice to move towards the solution ILance provides among others you presently see available.

Further more, I'm not sure you will find another web application as secure as ILance. For example, please take a much closer look at version 3 (our iphp.ca) demo located here:

http://www.iphp.ca (http://www.iphp.ca/)

The "output" looks great right?

Take a closer look -- do a View > Source from within your web browser and scroll down until you see the main layout or content HTML. You will find the source is secure (html source?) :) But you will not find the source encrypting the main HEADER or FOOTER sections of the template since your ILance powered marketplace stills need to been indexed by the major search engines to promote your website and so on (thus, the meta tags are in plain text).

As for your comment:


why adding product buying/selling like thousand of website are doing?.
I'm honestly not sure what you mean exactly. ILance provides a number of pages to allow buyers, sellers, merchants and vendors to engage into your marketplace, do what they need to do (sell, buy or promote).

Is your question "Why are we doing this" or "why are we not doing this". Please clarify (thanks).

Without getting into too much details, I think it's best that you make use of ILance v3.0.0 demo software. We are currently in our 2nd beta phase, and we're pretty excited about the upcoming full release. If you are a licensed customer (but forum status has not been updated as of yet) you may download the beta software.

If you are a unlicensed customer, you can obtain version 3 beta by purchasing an ILance powered product. You will fall under a 12 month support and updates service we offer and gain exclusive beta licenses for our new and upcoming product releases.

Peter

[php4ever]

Peter; why does the installer place all the folders with an underscore?

ie _adm, _images, _functions, etc....


Jared

[Mike]

Peter; why does the installer place all the folders with an underscore?

ie _adm, _images, _functions, etc....


Jared

Probably because of users who have 2.1.7. They might accidentally install it in the 2.1.7 directory. What if the underscore wasn't there and this happens...? There go 2.1.7.

[Mike]

:confused:
why adding product buying/selling like thousand of website are doing?.


Hey Dude,
Some people like butter, some people like bread. That's why when you go to a restaurant they bring you bread and butter. Angrily, you could shout, "why bring us bread and butter when we all eat bread" or you could understandably just let the waiter do his job and don't spoil his day by accepting both and eat only the bread.

If you do not want Product Auction simply take 30 minutes of your time and remove all references to it. It's that easy. Just respect the hard work these guys are doing to get V3 out and the new features that's been added to it.

If you do not like the appearance and some of the features and you get angry over that then contact ILance and get a quote for a customizable version. Be pro-active rather than reactive. I don't like the layout of V3 myself, but I am not complaining. Some people do. I just simply redesign it. And it if you copy and paste you can create a template for ILance V3.

[keifa]

Hi ulocha,
I loved the image with the bread and the butter, and I like to take it back,sure people like bread other butter, but I prefer to eat a good bread, well finished, than a bread half good with butter to hide the bad taste.
In one word I would have prefer that the ILance team stay on the same idea of ILance, and do a perfect version of ILance v2 with no bugs, and the core of the v3, but no use of adding new options at the moment, I prefer simple things working and secure than a lot of options and choices bugging the whole time.
For your info, I respect a lot the team, and told them already that they did and they do a perfect job,they are working hard, and they are there the whole time if you have problems or questions.
I just had an opinion and wanted to say it, is that liberty?
Anyway I will work along with the v3 and try to customize it, (even if I'm not really good in doing that, that's why I was a bit annoyed).
I hope, Ulocha that you won't take offense.
It's with a bit of criticizing that people progress in life, ;)
So once again, best of luck for the team, I still love your work.

[Mike]

It's with a bit of criticizing that people progress in life, ;)
So once again, best of luck for the team, I still love your work.

Well it's nice to know that you didn't take offense to my repose. It wasn't intended to be viewed that way. Rather it was intended to view in a way that a company can't satisfy one customer without dissatisfying another. One customers trash is another customers treasure. A lot of people I talk to that are using ILance are over-joyed about the product auction idea, which, again can easily be removed! ;)

[Peter]

A lot of people I talk to that are using ILance are over-joyed about the product auction idea, which, again can easily be removed! ;)You are absolutely right. I just noticed one of our customers have already "conditioned" their site through the use of <if conditions> that turn his Service/Product marketplace into only service portal (no product support). However, these templates are unofficial but they do seem do to the trick just fine for what he was after. ;)

Referring Post: http://www.ilance.ca/forum/showthread.php?p=941#post941

Neat! :)

[dunbar]

Hi, this topic is titled ILance 3.0.0 Beta 2 is here! But it's still in testing isn't it? Is it possible to get a rough idea of when it will be available (ie days, weeks, months)? Don't mean to be annoying, but I have no idea how long we can normally (is there such a thing?) expect the testing phase to take. Thanks in advance for any pointers you can give.

[xponet]

Hi, first of all congratulations for the ilance team for the prettiest script on the market - taking 2 years in marketplace business, and with a daily routine of monitoring the market for new releases - I can declare it for sure. My company uses one commercial and one self developed e-commerce script, and we are still considering to buy the new 3.0 release - since a year - especially now when we are before a bigger renewal. I like the option 'buy and sell products', my only problem with it, that if there is only a single item selling possibility it may press down marketplace's quality, converting the marketplace airy. I think adding a "buy now" ability, somethig like on elance, or a cart engine, where product providers could open a shop to sell their products, could have been a more serious opportunity, harmonizing better with a hi-tec marketplace like ilance. Is there a possibility ordering customization like this? (For extra fees of course.)

[Peter]

Hi, first of all congratulations for the ILance team for the prettiest script on the market - taking 2 years in marketplace business, and with a daily routine of monitoring the market for new releases - I can declare it for sure.Thanks for your kind words. They are appreciated! http://ilance.ca/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif


My company uses one commercial and one self developed e-commerce script, and we are still considering to buy the new 3.0 release - since a year - especially now when we are before a bigger renewal.
Yes, it's been quite a journey from the beginning of version 3 development to now. With beta testers actively helping us with finding and eliminate any issues with the new upcoming release should prove to be a very solid one indeed. We took many months to research how we could improve the software for the new version .. especially for designing and template management. We have seperated the application logic from the presentation layer *huge request to seperate PHP code from HTML visuals*, and added tighter support to allow designers to dig in with advanced template controls and functionality without ever touching the php code framework.

With that aside, the entire customer and administrative control panels have also been updated and situated in a way that allows for future development for the software, with a consistant programming nature. This along with the ILance developer handbook (to be released) should give more than enough information on how to create, modify or add on to an existing template or control statement(s) within the software. There is even a CMS template system to allow administrators to create new web pages for the marketplace on the fly from within the Admin Template Management section.


I like the option 'buy and sell products', my only problem with it, that if there is only a single item selling possibility it may press down marketplace's quality, converting the marketplace airy. I think adding a "buy now" ability, somethig like on elance, or a cart engine, where product providers could open a shop to sell their products, could have been a more serious opportunity, harmonizing better with a hi-tec marketplace like ILance. Is there a possibility ordering customization like this? (For extra fees of course.)
Yes, stores have been a huge request and has popped up more than once on the ILance forum here. Since then, we have decided to go ahead with "Stores", here are some screen shots of whats coming up:






http://www.ilance.ca/images/vbforum/stores.jpg


http://www.ilance.ca/images/vbforum/viewstore.jpg


http://www.ilance.ca/images/vbforum/viewitem.jpg


http://www.ilance.ca/images/vbforum/viewcart.jpg




Regards,

Peter

[petertcm]

Hi Peter,

Like others, I've been waiting patiently since last year for the 3.0 release. Thank you for taking the time.

Quick question: Will Stores be part of the core 3.0 release?

Thanks
Peter Tan.

[Peter]

Great question.

Stores will be released in the upcoming 3.0.0 beta 2.6 release in a couple of days. This will allow our beta testers to fully reviews the stores aspect of the software before we release it as a addon.

Due to the amount of templates and core PHP programming for the entire stores concept in v3, it will be available as an addon for version 3 for a very small price to existing customers. Customers whom are actively beta testing the 3.0.0 beta version at present will receive a gracious discount for both, the full upgrade from v2.x to the new ILance 3.0.0 RC1 release and the new stores addon. This is only fair.

A few reasons why we will be releasing this as an official paid addon is due to the flexibility within the v3 stores engine:

Subscription Matrix System for Stores (similar to v3 subscription system now). This means you as the store owner may charge for paid and free stores which will also provide "limitations" to each subscription again similar to v3 subscription system (ie: Category creation (and depth) limits, Item / inventory creation limits, etc
Subscription Matrix to fully support store upgrades (to different store subscription levels)
Commission for items sold via Stores Matrix (defined via store subscription levels). ie: Store Subscription Level 1 may be $9.95 per month to store owners with a 8.0% commission rate whereas Store Subscription Level 2 may be $19.95 per month to owners with a 4.0% commission rate and so on
Store owner "unlimited depth" definable categories
Store owner definable shipping partners and destinations for their items/inventory
Online Shopping Cart system to calculate numerous scenerios for both Product and Service style storefronts (example: Order process will detect Tax zones for customers from the site, will calculate shipping costs for the total amounts, and options to allow the customer to add "updated shipping price" information if the store owner agrees to ship items to further distances which would require additional shipping cost support for those particular customers
Store owner customizable email templates (post order email, order complete email and thank you/follow up email templates supported)
Store owner definable HTML "Home Page" feature which allows your store owners to create customizable web site designs which seamlessly integrate with your ILance 3.0.0 powered marketplace for their customers to see and review
Store owner terms and agreements definable templates
A lot more!
Payment Process
The v3 store addon system will also provide an instant process to let the customers review stores, add items into their carts (multiple stores/carts supported) and purchase the items within stores almost instantly. How it works is very straight forward and is fully integrated into the ILance 3.0.0 Billing and Payments System. For example:

Registered Customer A reviews stores. He reviews an item he wishes to purchase. He adds that item into his cart. On the checkout preview page, the ILance software will calculate total available funds in the "customers" online account which will then predict if the customer has enough money to cover all costs related to the order being placed.

If the customer does not have any funds within his/her online account, the system will advise the customer that the only method to pay our store front owners is via your online account. That customer may choose to "Deposit" funds into his online account from either his/her Credit Card (which requires an authentication process at first anyways) and/or using Paypal and the IPN (Instant Payment Notification) technology offered through ILance. Once the member has sufficient funds to cover the order amount within any store, the process will be instant informing all parties including the admin. Funds will then be debitted from the Customers account into the Store owners account (minus any commission final fees to you as the site owner for offering the service).

Store Owners "customer" MiniCP
There is also a "mini" control panel for "customers" of your "store owners" that can log-in to your "store owners stores" and review the shipping and/or service deployment aspect of their order. When the order was successful, and the store owner was paid for the item, the "amount" is held in a "store escrow account" until the purchase is fully delivered to the "buyer". Store owners will have contol to view "order distribution" to update the shipping and /or service aspect of that particular order for the customer.

Aside from the stores within v3.0.0, we do plan on leaving LanceKB (knowledge base) along side with LanceAds (Advertisers Addon) as an integrated entity for the release of 3.0.0. We felt these two modules should be integrated into v3.0.0 for the final release as it should help increase more traffic and / or ROI for new marketplaces without even getting involved with the bidding and auction environments.

That should give you a more clearer idea about v3 stores. More information with much more detailed information coming soon.

Regards,

Peter

[petertcm]

HI Peter,

Sorry to pick but best to be crystal clear on these issues. I would assume that LanceAlert will be part of the core 3.00rc1. This is a crucial piece (for me particularly) that will remind 'users' (who have very poor memory) to revisit the site whenever their system is online.

Thanks
Peter Tan

[Peter]

Yes of course.

If you have purchased LanceAlert for the previous version of ILance, this will be provided to you when the release of v3.0.0 is available without additional charge. If you did not purchase LanceAlert when you purchased ILance v2.x, it will be available for a small fee to existing customers.

LanceAlert for 3.0.0 has been updated to support both nodes in your main menu for Products and Services (old lancealert focused only on service auctions). So we're working on this upgrade process to be completed when 3.0.0 is ready.

Regards,

Peter

[Arcturus]

I received LanceAlert as a limited time free addition to version 2, will I get LanceAlert for version 3?

[Peter]

Yes, if you were provided LanceAlert at any point in the past, this entitles you to the LanceAlert for ILance 3.0.0. Keep in mind, LanceAlert for 3.0.0 is a little different logic in terms of logging in, product auctions and improved chat support. LanceAlert for ILance 3.0.0 will not work on ILance 2.x framework and vice versa.

Regards,

Peter