Jun 15

Written by:
6/15/2011 9:44 AM 

Well, I was hoping that I would be able to use the Beta release to do this update, but I couldn’t wait to start getting the news out.

If you think of DotNetNuke 6.0 as a “visual” upgrade, you will be headed in the right direction.  I have been told that there will be a New Skin (yet to be released).  The secret of who is doing the skin is slowly leaking out and people are really getting excited about seeing it. 

This short blog will touch on four examples of the changes that I think will give you an Idea of what types of things to expect in the new release.

 

First, you will notice quickly the new style lightbox popup window. You can see an example of this by clicking the login link.  You will notice that the popup window now is a floating window (with the previous page grayed out).  The size of this example window is obviously not right, but in the build Will Strohl used at the ODUG meeting this had been corrected.  You will see proper sized message/popup windows in the Beta when it is released.  While many had worked hard to make this type visual effect in their content, now it is automatic in the Core. 

 

The next thing you will notice is the new Control Panel. While I am sure some people will not like the move initially, the Admin and Host menu items have been moved to the upper left on the control panel and are no longer in the main menu system. This is a good move! By hovering over either the Admin or Host link, you will get a nice overlay of the menu in the Mega Menu style.  Clicking the link will take you to a page with a Console module on it to help you administer the site or instance.

 

If you hover over the Control Panel you get a nice tabbed interface for the control panel.  This interface is following the premise now used throughout DNN 6.0 of giving the most common used item the most priority and visibility. By using a tabbed presentation of the information, the most common activities have quick and easy access as well as giving access to the complete suite of activities in the case you need something more than just the most common tasks.

 

The last screen clip for this session is a clip from the HOST-> Settings page.  You should notice that between the Tabbed interface and the collapsible sections, you can get to the section you need with no scrolling!  This type of usability efficiency can be expected in all of the core.  Module developers should take note!  As new DNN users enter the DNN World, they will not remember “the old way” and will expect this type interaction.  You will also notice at the bottom of the screen are several fast access buttons/links.  This is following the pattern of attempting to make the most common actions easy to get to without having to go through several layers and looking for the proper link.  Also, the most frequently used item (the “Update” button) is highlighted and in the prominent position!

 

Obviously this is just the tip of the iceberg for DotNetNuke 6.0.  Stay tuned for more info as the Beta is made publicly available.  All I can say is “Keep up the good work Team Nuke!”

Darrell Hardy