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Open Discussion: XenForo's next version 1.1 around the corner?
Some months ago XenFans.com announced as one of the first that XenForo's next version (1.1) is already in the works. We estimated roughly a release in the third or fourth quarter of 2011. And at the point of this writing I believe it's being tested internally. We suspect (and hope) a roll-out on http://xenforo.com/community possibly near the end of the UK summer.
To get us started, we will share some quotes, links to discussions about 1.1, and offer you some questions to think about.
What does version 1.1 mean to XenForo Limited?
Personally I believe it helps mature the product and the company enough to be taken serious in the bbs market. And that means that I hope it gets in front of more site owners that either a) want to start a new site (http://xenfans.com/threads/1208/), or b) feel confident enough to convert away (http://xenfans.com/threads/872/) from their existing software.
I think 1.1 is helping XenForo Limited to show itself off to the top three competitors such as Invision Power Board and Internet Brands, as well as free solutions such as phpBB Limited. Many people that run communities, including myself, welcome competition to the market, and personally I find it a shame that the competition has to resort to questionable acts in order to fight of competition (such as http://xenfans.com/threads/138/). The company and the products speak for themselves, and 1.1 is a step in that direction hopefully.
We've asked the same question to XenForo Limited, and here's their response:
What does version 1.1 mean to XenForo customers?
New customers will have it easy. Less bugs, more stability, new features, and a big community that already exists and has the experience to help out getting them started, including sites like ours here at xenfans.com.
Existing customers might be provoked to build more sites, extend their account with one or more licenses (don't forget, there is a bulk purchase option!), or at least upgrade their current 1.0 board to 1.1 to get all the extras.
Installing or Upgrading XenForo has proven to be a little bit too easy with version 1.0 - I think it's fair to say that it won't be any harder with version 1.1, and we suspect that despite it being a bigger version upgrade that it will be a breeze. XenFans.com is a discussion away with XenForo Limited to obtain a temporary beta version to confirm this on a customized board.
We've asked the same question to XenForo Limited, and here's their response:
What do we expect version 1.1 to cost?
Nothing, to be honest. If you were an early adopter and paid either $100 for the first license, $115 perhaps for your second, or just the normal $140 as existing customer, you get a year of support and service, upgrades and updates. We at XenFans.com found no evidence that version 1.1 will come with an upgrade price. And we strongly believe it will be out before March 2012, when the first batch of licenses will expire for most early adopters. In other words: a free upgrade.
New customers however of course have to invest in their first license, which will be $140, as we have found no evidence of a potential price increase. Here's a trick though: If you fear a price increase, buy your license before the price increase.
Ok, I am starting to confuse everybody I think, summery: New? $140, already have 1.0? Then it's a free upgrade.
What is new in 1.1?
Besides (expected) code optimization, improved core engine / framework, bug fixes and extended options / permissions for features, we have learned various facts and rumors, please .. do .. note .. these are 'expected', which simply means if they're unstable, buggy, no-time, or otherwise prevented from being in the first release of 1.1, they might be in 1.1.1 or 1.2 or 2.0, or shelved. Grain of salt moment, no promises, hoping and wishing, etc.
What we do know: (official source)
It seems there is mention of a public beta:
http://xenforo.com/community/threads/1-1-release.17852/#post-232371
We recommend to a) backup, b) consider if it's suitable for your site, c) report bugs and give feedback, if you do participate. Unfamiliar with beta testing? Then we strongly recommend to a) backup anyway, b) wait until the stable is out.
What is the roadmap?
We suspect it to be as follows: Development, Private Beta. Rolling out on XenForo.com in Summer. First public beta, perhaps an RC, and then a stable (gold) release before the end of the year.
OMG I want it now, why does it take so long?
It's not long actually, there's no sign at this point 1.1 is not on schedule. Now an explanation:
From what we at xenfans have observed, it's because they want to do things right.
They're not hacking together some code into an existing product. They're engineering and trying to be innovating. This takes time. And they want to do right by the user.
Finding the right balance of user experience, user interface, progressive enhancements, using modern technologies for improved usability while keeping a light-weight product feature rich and easy to use by admins, staff and visitors.
Oh, and they're a small and new start up that's got claims filed against them by competitive corporation; This tends to eat up your time as well.
We want to discuss 1.1 with you - please participate. New information can be added by our team members to this first post.
Some months ago XenFans.com announced as one of the first that XenForo's next version (1.1) is already in the works. We estimated roughly a release in the third or fourth quarter of 2011. And at the point of this writing I believe it's being tested internally. We suspect (and hope) a roll-out on http://xenforo.com/community possibly near the end of the UK summer.
In this open discussion we want to share what we know, what you know, and discuss our opinions about the product progress from the first public beta of 1.0 to our first experience with 1.1.
To get us started, we will share some quotes, links to discussions about 1.1, and offer you some questions to think about.
What does version 1.1 mean to XenForo Limited?
Personally I believe it helps mature the product and the company enough to be taken serious in the bbs market. And that means that I hope it gets in front of more site owners that either a) want to start a new site (http://xenfans.com/threads/1208/), or b) feel confident enough to convert away (http://xenfans.com/threads/872/) from their existing software.
I think 1.1 is helping XenForo Limited to show itself off to the top three competitors such as Invision Power Board and Internet Brands, as well as free solutions such as phpBB Limited. Many people that run communities, including myself, welcome competition to the market, and personally I find it a shame that the competition has to resort to questionable acts in order to fight of competition (such as http://xenfans.com/threads/138/). The company and the products speak for themselves, and 1.1 is a step in that direction hopefully.
We've asked the same question to XenForo Limited, and here's their response:
"1.1 to XFL demonstrates our rapid development cycle, our continuing commitment to the highest quality possible in web software, and to delivering features that our customers want", Kier Darby.
What does version 1.1 mean to XenForo customers?
New customers will have it easy. Less bugs, more stability, new features, and a big community that already exists and has the experience to help out getting them started, including sites like ours here at xenfans.com.
Existing customers might be provoked to build more sites, extend their account with one or more licenses (don't forget, there is a bulk purchase option!), or at least upgrade their current 1.0 board to 1.1 to get all the extras.
Installing or Upgrading XenForo has proven to be a little bit too easy with version 1.0 - I think it's fair to say that it won't be any harder with version 1.1, and we suspect that despite it being a bigger version upgrade that it will be a breeze. XenFans.com is a discussion away with XenForo Limited to obtain a temporary beta version to confirm this on a customized board.
We've asked the same question to XenForo Limited, and here's their response:
"1.1 to customers means a new array of features to make the job of administering a XenForo forum even easier and removes many of the previous barriers to adoption that may have existed", Kier Darby.
What do we expect version 1.1 to cost?
Nothing, to be honest. If you were an early adopter and paid either $100 for the first license, $115 perhaps for your second, or just the normal $140 as existing customer, you get a year of support and service, upgrades and updates. We at XenFans.com found no evidence that version 1.1 will come with an upgrade price. And we strongly believe it will be out before March 2012, when the first batch of licenses will expire for most early adopters. In other words: a free upgrade.
New customers however of course have to invest in their first license, which will be $140, as we have found no evidence of a potential price increase. Here's a trick though: If you fear a price increase, buy your license before the price increase.
Ok, I am starting to confuse everybody I think, summery: New? $140, already have 1.0? Then it's a free upgrade.
What is new in 1.1?
Besides (expected) code optimization, improved core engine / framework, bug fixes and extended options / permissions for features, we have learned various facts and rumors, please .. do .. note .. these are 'expected', which simply means if they're unstable, buggy, no-time, or otherwise prevented from being in the first release of 1.1, they might be in 1.1.1 or 1.2 or 2.0, or shelved. Grain of salt moment, no promises, hoping and wishing, etc.
- Full text of posts in notification emails didn't seem to make it to 1.0, but let's hope it's in 1.1. http://xenforo.com/community/posts/166358
- Resource Manager (first at xenforo.com, then THE WORLD)
- Tags (we heard mention of it, can't find confirmation)
- Thread Prefixes: http://xenforo.com/community/posts/231671
- Warning system? http://xenforo.com/community/posts/231422
- Mobile style ? (seen mention but no confirm)
What we do know: (official source)
- Right-to-left layout mode for Arabic (etc.) language support
- Thread prefixes, definable at a per-forum and a per-user group basis
- Warnings for trouble-making users
- Ability for members to ignore other members
- Custom user profile fields
- Daily statistics
- Admin CP search
- Improved admin and moderator logging
- Additional thread viewing permissions
- Criteria-based user group promotions
- A notice system to display messages to your users in certain circumstances
- Big-Board Search
- Resource Manager
It seems there is mention of a public beta:
http://xenforo.com/community/threads/1-1-release.17852/#post-232371
We recommend to a) backup, b) consider if it's suitable for your site, c) report bugs and give feedback, if you do participate. Unfamiliar with beta testing? Then we strongly recommend to a) backup anyway, b) wait until the stable is out.
What is the roadmap?
We suspect it to be as follows: Development, Private Beta. Rolling out on XenForo.com in Summer. First public beta, perhaps an RC, and then a stable (gold) release before the end of the year.
OMG I want it now, why does it take so long?
It's not long actually, there's no sign at this point 1.1 is not on schedule. Now an explanation:
From what we at xenfans have observed, it's because they want to do things right.
They're not hacking together some code into an existing product. They're engineering and trying to be innovating. This takes time. And they want to do right by the user.
Finding the right balance of user experience, user interface, progressive enhancements, using modern technologies for improved usability while keeping a light-weight product feature rich and easy to use by admins, staff and visitors.
Oh, and they're a small and new start up that's got claims filed against them by competitive corporation; This tends to eat up your time as well.
We want to discuss 1.1 with you - please participate. New information can be added by our team members to this first post.
