1.18

[maverick]

Johnboy;

I can totally understand your frustration that version updates and patches won't be automatic if you've done any heavy modifications. I guess that's the price we pay for having the freedom of full access to the code that allows us to customize the script and add the features we want. I suppose that's one advantage that could be said for buying software with encrypted code, it restricts customization and altering of the code making patches and updates easier for all their customers. Typically all you can do with encrypted software is customize the skin.

When it comes to most open source CMS software, such osDate, Dolphin, Joomla, etc., updates and patches are often a problem as well. Just try updating to a major version change, you'll find lots of things that will break, including bridges, skins, and many third party addons you've included will no longer work.

Yes, even I get a bit nervous that something won't work properly after doing a manual update, and sometimes there's certain things in an update I'm not sure about, but I was fully aware what I was getting into before I started, and for me it's worth the headaches because it's allowed me to customize Etano to my hearts content and create features nobody else has.

You're right, some features you had done as custom jobs maybe should have been standard features and part of the core, but on the flip side of the coin you might be surprised how many little custom things Dan may have done for you that were unique and important to you and your site, but maybe not something others may have needed or wanted.

Dan and I have a had a few discussions about Etano on what would be the best direction for it in the future, and it's more complicated than most people might imagine, not everything is black and white like some software is.

I've worked on developing all kinds of sites using a variety of CMS software, including ecommerce sites with shopping carts, and I have to say Dating and SN sites are among the most complex to develop, especially if you want something full featured and unique.

So I guess I'm kind of sitting on the fence on this one, as I can see the pros and cons of both sides, it's like "damned if you do and damned if you don't" type of scenario.

[maverick]

Dan;

I got a couple questions about 1.18 before I actually upload the changes.

I'm not real sure what I need to do with the "skin_changes.php" or if it pertains to me when manually updating.

I also noticed the field classes files, such as "01field_textfield.class.php", and was wondering about addon and custom field classes, such as for Yahoo or Skype, etc. Do these not need to be edited as well?

I noticed a common change seemed to be with the function string, such as ...

Code:

function field_textfield($config=array(),$is_search=false) {

TO

Code:

function __construct($config=array(),$is_search=false) {

[maverick]

In regards to the issue or bug that zytus mentioned about after making only one main photo from public to private.

I'm not sure I totally understand exactly what issue zytus is having, but on my site if the member only has one photo in their gallery which becomes their default "main" photo, then they try to change it from public to a private photo, it still shows as their main photo, the only thing I noticed is it no longer shows up when you browse photos, and when clicking the thumb image of their main photo on their profile page, the large version doesn't appear in the popup window. Again this scenario only happens if a user has only one photo in their gallery and tries changing it from public to private.

Maybe the answer and fix would be, a photo that's been selected as a main photo can't be made private, they will need to select another photo as their main photo first. If they only have one photo in their gallery then they are stuck with it being public and set as their main photo.

[zytus]

And what to do with user, who don't want show any foto, but need to have some private photos after some time (for example this user previous had main photo public, after some time he need to change this)?
All other dating sites in my country, what I know, do not have any issue with photos like here.

Maybe the answer and fix would be, a photo that's been selected as a main photo can't be made private, they will need to select another photo as their main photo first. If they only have one photo in their gallery then they are stuck with it being public and set as their main photo.

[admin2]

@johnboy: That's our business model. We can't live with a one time $180 for which you get free updates forever. And by free updates I mean both bug fixes and new features. Also, note that I am really struggling to keep the hourly fee low so I am not really getting rich off your site.
You can try solving the conflict in common.inc.php by changing

Code:

$tplvars['js_lib_v']=<whatever number you have here>;

to

Code:

$tplvars['js_lib_v']=9;

If it's already 9 then you really do have other changes in the file.
And if you want to patch the vulnerability and don't need the other things just unzip the patch and copy files/includes/sco_functions.inc.php from the patch to your server in includes/sco_functions.inc.php (overwrite).

@zytus: I'm going to have a look today. Not sure but I think you have some modifications to the photos. Anyway, if there's something general I will fix it and release a patch for everyone.

@maverick: skin_changes.php does skins.diff for every skin you have. It just adds a css class in a css file.

[zytus]

Before patching I've uploaded clean photo_settings.php from base etano installation package (I had the same diff error...)
All modifications was maded by You, but you said, these modifications will be in new release 1.18
But this error was before patching too, I was writed about this 1-2 weeks ago to Your email and still exist.
Also do not forget to check wetopay addons - this also stopped work.

Thank you Dan

I'm going to have a look today. Not sure but I think you have some modifications to the photos. Anyway, if there's something general I will fix it and release a patch for everyone.

[Johnboy]

Thank you Dan, I will try those things out when I get a chance soon. Thank you Maverick for enlightening me on some areas I was not aware of.

[admin2]

I also noticed the field classes files, such as "01field_textfield.class.php", and was wondering about addon and custom field classes, such as for Yahoo or Skype, etc. Do these not need to be edited as well?

You're right! Back to work with me

[maverick]

You're right! Back to work with me Smiley

No problem, that's a pretty easy thing to over-look. Just glad I caught it before updating 

Since I have so many customizations I have a tendency to browse through most of the files to try and see if anything may have a possible affect on any of the customizations. If I notice anything I do a file comparison. What first struck me about these is I noticed there were only 9 field class files to be changed, yet the folder on my site contains 14, three of which are custom fields.

I'll just hold off updating until you advise me what needs to be done, or what I need to do.

[maverick]

And what to do with user, who don't want show any foto, but need to have some private photos after some time (for example this user previous had main photo public, after some time he need to change this)?
All other dating sites in my country, what I know, do not have any issue with photos like here.

Well I guess it depends on the type of site you're operating. Most dating sites that have profiles that show "No Photo" as a main photo, most people assume they don't have any photos at all, and will typically ignore or overlook their profile. Another thing to consider, when people do a search they often select the "With Photo" box, and those that have all their photos private and don't have a "main photo" their profile won't show up in the search results. Not displaying any "main photo" is rather counter productive, both for the user and your site.

If people want to make all their key photos private, that's fine, then they should simply upload some type of generic image or avatar of their choosing and make that their main photo so their profile at least appears to have photos and they are more apt to show up in search results.

[admin2]

I uploaded the fields too. You should download and install the latest versions of the fields. It's a regular addon installation.
@maverick: I also added the playlist.com field as an addon and added it to your list of addons so you can download it easily. It should work with regular addon installation too.

[maverick]

Thanks Dan;

However, I couldn't download the Playlist field, said it failed, it did sort of download but the zip was empty. Not sure, could have been firefox that caused the failure, but I'll have to wait 24 hrs and try again.

There's also one other custom field for my zodiac signs.

[zytus]

After upgrading (before I don't remember how it was..) I saw this:

Got to Admin panel ->any user and click "Send On-site Message"



Is it ok or no? And how to fix if not ok?
But message was sended.

[zytus]

.

[ShadowMachine]

Ok before I start this, please note, I have the greatest respect for Dan and his product, and he has been very fair in any dealings I have had with him.
........... but as time goes on the more and more I am beginning to feel that Etano was released way too early, it still isn't a finished product. The custom jobs I have had done were mainly getting features done that are stock standard features on most dating software, and were standard features on DSB. Things such as Admin being notified when a new member joins(fairly critical if you ask me) a popup on the header when someone has new mail(which has now disappeared since the last update), plus other minor stuff I can't even remember as its been so long now. The only feature I had customised that I feel shouldnt be stock standard was getting flashchat integrated into etano, I feel thats fair enough.

Now I remember manually doing one of the updates and it took me hours and I didnt do it right and in the end I had to pay Dan to fix it. Gee Maverick if it takes someone with your skills and efficiency 2 hrs per update, it will take me at least double that and I would probably stuff it up, so, what is my ONLY choice, but to pay Dan to do it.

To me that means the price of Etano isn't $180 its $180 plus custom jobs to get it to an acceptable level to operate efficiently, plus I will have to pay Dan everytime a update happens as I have had custom jobs done, that were not really custom jobs, they were adding features that should of been there from the start.

Now I findout that if I do not update to 1.18 my site can be hacked, due to some sort of security flaw in the software. So I HAVE TO update, and I will have to pay Dan to do it, as I do not have the skills to do it. Most software updates automatically.

I don't want to sound like a whinging whining unappreciative tosser, but I really think ETANO was released before it was finished, and I have to pay for it, and will have to keep on paying everytime there is an update. I am not aware of any other software that works like that.

Am I the only person who feels like this? OR Is it because I am not as skilled as many of the other Etano webmasters and I am ignorant as to what is required to run a dating site? 

No, you are not alone.