September '09 Update - Comments

[brucet]

This is the supporting thread for the September '09 News Update.

[grantglendinnin]

The addition of the 'Condition' tag for Google Base...but not others which are most likely set to be mandatory come the release of v10 (eg. weight)?

[Jan]

Actually weight would be a good one to add - even if it's just as a user defined property because the information can be entered into Actinic but ATM there is not easy way to get it out again.

Regards,

[brucet]

That's a possibility. The reasons for including the Condition field specifically in v10 are:

1) Google has already started to enforce it
2) Actinic has no existing field for it - so it requires a change to the database, which is something we do our best to avoid in minor releases.

[Darren B]

the one click complete to send emails, will this also include the bug that leaves the part "order shipped" from the subject will be fixed aswell?

[pinbrook]

so it requires a change to the database, which is something we do our best to avoid in minor releases.

Personally i'd consider v10 a major release.

[grantglendinnin]

...v10 ... minor releases.

This'll make a lot of existing customers happy. Not.

[Golf Tee Warehouse]

I don't think Bruce was calling v10 a minor release, I think he was giving the reason why Actinic have not included this in V9.0.5 which he was referring to as a minor release, although I might be wrong.

[Jan]

Yep I think you have both misinterpreted that, it's in V10 not V9 because it requires a db change. V10 is definitely a major release.

Regards,

[Darren B]

V10 is definitely a major release.

LOL i guess that depends on the interpretation / feature list

[george]

Suppose I'll add some feedback on the v10 list.


• Real-time stock control - Great, hopefully this feature will work as it should from the first release.

• A new and more streamlined checkout - Not too bothered, the stuff has to be filled in if its on one page or three. I've never not completed ANY checkout once I've decided to buy (apart from 3D `secure` issues but thats another issue innit).

• The ability to include product images in the checkout - Who needs this? Have I missed something?

• Integration with Google Checkout - Boat, missed, etc. (is GC getting more or less common nowadays anyway?)

• A built-in 'Condition' field for the Google feed - I use the workaround thingy

• New order-picking functionality & enhanced user access control for Enterprise - *sighs*

• The ability to 'shred' payment card details automatically - Who keeps 'em nowadays anyway?

• The ability to use an Outer Layout for extended information pages - You what mate?

• Enabling one-click order processing to send confirmation emails automatically - Oh, err, ok.

• The ability to choose which site to open on startup - It opens on the one I want as it is.

[Jan]

The ability to use an Outer Layout for extended information pages - You what mate?

This means that your extended information pages can have the same look and feel as standard product pages, they will have a breadcrumb trail and a buy button. Very useful if search engines return links your extended information pages (without the layout stuff, customer click through to the page and are then stuck, unless they edit the address in the menu bar). It's also a good way of listing on google base if you have more than one product per page (if you are using my product mash that is). You could do it in V9 but it was an advanced user guide thingy in V10 it will be easier.

Regards,

[Rich Brady]

Actinic version 10 is still a few months away from production release

Do not rush this release. Retailers are going to be up to their eyeballs with Christmas orders, so it's unlikely that anyone is going to upgrade before hand anyway.

You're probably going to see a drop in beta testers before the festive season too, so wait until January please?

[brucet]

I probably should have said that all the new features in v10 have been requested multiple times on our wish list, and that is a key reason for including them.

Hopefully there is something in there for most users; few people, if any, will want all the things on the list, and some won't want any of them. That's how it is with off-the-shelf software.

[Steve G Griggs]

Do not rush this release. Retailers are going to be up to their eyeballs with Christmas orders, so it's unlikely that anyone is going to upgrade before hand anyway.

I agree with WebD totally, I for one would never install a new version or upgrade of Actinic just before xmas--that's asking for trouble. I would be happy if it came out in late jan or feb. As for beta testing over xmas I think not, I like some time away from work occasionally.
Lets try & catch the bugs before it's released, give V10 a nice long beta test period.