Even though I've wanted to focus more on MODx in this blog, I have to say I haven't done a very good job bringing this CMS and content management framework up for discussion. With the release of MODx Evolution 1.0 and the upcoming release of MODx Revolution 2.0 I have no doubt we'll be seeing more headlines for MODx.
Last week, MODx Evolution 1.0.1 was released. This release contains enough security improvements and bug fixes that the MODx developers consider the update a "mandatory upgrade" for any site running previous releases of MODx Evolution/0.9.X.
Some of the new features and improvements in MODx 1.0.1 include:
Security
Multiple areas have been improved to help protect against unlikely but possible CSRF attacks in the Manager. In addition, Ajax Search has been updated to version 1.8.4 which prevents content injection when JS is off in the browser and the Manager password reminder has been updated to prevent forged logins under different usernames.
ManagerManager
Manager Manager is now a part of the core distribution. This Plugin leverages jQuery to allow developers to completely customize the Manager experience for end users. Some useful input widgets are included by default (tagging, color picker, image TV preview) and new widgets can be developed to streamline your daily content management. ManagerManager gives you the benefits of a fully bespoke/custom CMS, coupled with the support of large Open Source Community and maintaining an upgrade path for future releases.
Transalias plugin
Welcome to multilingual SEO: This transalias plugin further enhances MODx's robust capabilities as a SEO site platform, the URL transliteration plugin automatically creates human-readable URLs from the page titles of each Resource in the MODx Site Tree. Transalias can be configured to handle your exact rules for characters allowed in URLs. With MODx it's easy to mix Russian Cyrillic, Japanese Kanji and typical English URLs all in one site.
Installer
The new MODx installer adds the time- and task-saving ability for developers to install MODx with their favorite and customizations of the Add-ons it handles. Simply drop your snippets, chunks, plugins and modules into the relevant directories as .tpl files, add a phpDocs formatted header, and the installer automatically presents the choices for you to install the Elements directly into the MODx database.
The MODx installer supports multiple languages including RTL languages, while installing the main application in the same or an alternate language. (The default language can be overridden a per-user basis in the Manager.)
QuickManager+
QM+ brings additional improvements have made this elegant front-end content editor even better for daily use.
Download links for MODx Evolution 1.0.1 can be found at modxcms.com.
Comments
How Essential
You mention that the 1.0.1 is a mandatory upgrade. I've been fearing upgrading some of my recently completed 0.9.6.3 sites because I'm worried about snippets and plugins breaking. I don't have a lot of addons on these sites, but I am making use of SiteMap and pHX. How worried should I really be?
Lee, Best place to ask for
Lee,
Best place to ask for customer support is on the MODx forums but in any case I will answer.
Since 0.9.6.3 MODx has had many enhancements and security updates that will reduce the likelihood that your site will be hacked or compromised. MODx takes security insanely seriously. Now, you should always back up your site files and database whenever upgrading your site. MODx 1.0.1 will not break standard implementations of most addons that ship with the core. There are minor changes to the way ManagerManager works but it didn't ship with 0.9.6.x. If you have made changes or written custom snippets or plugins they too should be okay.
We have had a reports of upgrades gone wrong but the causes of upgrades gone wrong are typically:
If you have further questions, we have some amazing folks over at the MODx forums who would be glad to help you out.
Thanks,
Jay - One of the MODx Folks.