New System Features – Summary

The following is the list of new system features available in version 8:

1
The system now accepts PNG files:

In this new version, all the image upload fields are now accepting png files. (NOTE: Transparent png files are not accepted)

2
Location Hierarchy can now be changed:

In the new version, if the site manager/sponsor added locations to the wrong hierarchy, the site manager can make a bulk update or edit the location to put it in the right place. After which a cronjob will run (the cronjob runs every 5 minutes) to update all the items related to the affected location.

3
Check in on Listings for iPhone users

In this version, the eDirectory for iPhone now has a “check-in” feature. The user must be logged on to his directory or Facebook account to use this. If a user searches for any listing, the check-in option will appear in the summary and detail pages. If a user checks in, the information will be posted on his Facebook feed as well as on Twitter, once the site manager configures the Twitter key.

4
Brand New Theme

In the new version, a new theme named ‘eDirectory Default’ is now used as a default theme, replacing the old default theme which was renamed to ‘eDirectory Version 7’.

5
Link your accounts to Facebook and/or Twitter

If the user has a directory account he can link his Facebook and/or Twitter account to the directory account. If the user uses a Facebook account to sign in at the directory, he can link his Twitter account to this account.

6
The GeoIP Feature

In this new version, the ‘where’ field is now integrated with the geoIP feature to show the user’s current location. If the user signs in on the directory with his Facebook account, he can use the Location he has on his Facebook settings to be the default ‘where’ location on the directory.

A Brand New Deal

One of the major changes on version 8 is the enhancement of the Coupon module, now called “Deals”. The sponsor can now add new fields like the discount information, to show how much the user will save if they take advantage of the deal. Aside from the capability to control the start and end date of the deal, it now enables the sponsor to control when to show the deal (visibility feature).

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Promotion Feature

What’s new?
Upon adding a new deal, you will notice the new fields that were integrated in the feature:

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The sponsor can now choose if the deal will be visible for 24 hours (until the end date set) or only for a specific hour range. He needs to fill out the ‘item value‘ (regular value) and the ‘deal value‘ (value with discount), and the amount of deals available.

The users/visitors have to redeem the deal to avail the discount offered by the sponsor. They can also redeem it by posting it to their Facebook wall. The users can also write a review for the Deal.

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Another enhancement made is the detail page now available for the “deals” intead of a normal thickbox. This will allow the users to read more information about the deal.

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Facebook Account
The user needs to sign in with his Facebook account to print the Deal, and the deal will be posted to the user’s Facebook wall. When the user signs in with his Facebook account, a new account is created at the directory wherein he can also link this account to his Twitter account. So when the user redeems the deal, it will be posted on both accounts: Facebook and Twitter.

The site manager can configure the Deal to be redeemed without the Facebook login. In this case the user can redeem the deal using the directory account or by email.

The Package Builder Feature

Another important feature added to this new version is the Package Builder feature available not only for a single site but for multiple sites as well (this is if the sitemgr has more than 1 site). The Package builder lets the sitemgr create a custom package that can be available on all his sites or on a specific site only. The prices can be different from one site to another depending on how the sitemgr wants.

Adding A Package

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To add a new package, go to sitemgr>Packages and select add. The sitemgr has to put the first two important settings first, which is to select what package to offer if a client will take advantage of a particular module level.

It can be any of the following example:
1. for a different site: If you buy a showcase listing at site#1 you can add a listing showcase at the site#2 for a half price (or set a specific price)
2. for the same site: If you buy a showcase listing you can add an article for free
3. custom: If you buy a showcase listing you will get a FREE item

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The site manager can add different packages, but only 1 package can be activated for each module level.

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The packages are offered to the sponsors when they purchase an item at the Sign Up page or at the Sponsor Area (depending if you have created a package for the level that the sponsor will purchase).

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NOTE: The site manager is not able to create a package for the Banners module. However, the banner could be offered with a discount

Modify your Navigation Links

The new version has integrated the feature of allowing the sitemgr to modify the Navigation links without the need for custom development. It is now easier for the sitemgr to add any links on the navigation for the header and footer.

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To modify the navigation, simply go to Sitemgr->Site Content->Navigation Configuration. Choose which navigation you would want to modify, (header or footer) by clicking on it.

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Upon choosing a section to modify (in this case we will be using the header section), a thickbox will appear, wherein you will have an option to add a new link or delete an existing link (which you can restore anytime by clicking on the restore button). You can also easily drag the links if you want to reposition them.

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Adding A New Link

When the sitemgr adds a new link, by default it will be placed on the first row beside the home button. You can add an external link on the navigation, or from a custom page (NOTE: if there is still no custom page, it will ask you if you want to create a new one) that was created on sitemgr.

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You can also individually insert a module page if you have deleted them in the past and you want to add a specific module again by clicking on the Use module URL link.

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New and Improved Dashboard

The new and improved dashboard shows the summary of the number of listings added, number of items added (banners, events, classifieds and articles), number of visits on the site, as well as the monthly revenue. It also shows the ‘To be approved‘ list that have links for the pending items of all sites and the ‘Recent Activity‘ list wherein the site manager can see a list of the last 20 actions made by the sponsors on all sites.

In relation to the new feature of adding multiple sites, eDirectory sitemgr dashboard was re-designed for better navigation of the multiple sites. If the sitemgr has more than 1 site, the home panel will display the configuration for each site. When the site manager has different sites a new dashboard will appear.

If the sitemgr wants to see the data of a specific site, he can click on the site name at the dashboard main table and the normal dashboard of the selected site will appear.

The home button panel was also optimized for better navigation of the sitemgr. Accounts, Sites and Support links can be seen on the top right portion of the home panel. while on the left side panel, the configuration buttons for most of the module settings can be seen, as well as the old navigation on the previous versions.

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Introducing The New Multi-Domain Feature

The new version is reconstructed to work on several sites. This means that aside from the main site, the user can create another domain (subdomain) that can be accessed on a different URL. The new domain will also have its own dashboard, so the sitemgr can track and have access to the new domains settings, like a sitemgr access.

Adding A Site

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1) To add a new site, go to sitemgr>sites and select add new sites. (this can be found on the top menu on the dashboard)

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For this example, our main site name is “demodirectory.com” and we will add the new site called subdomain with the url address “subdomain.demodirectory.com”

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The sitemgr needs to fill out the fields “site name” and provide a site URL. This can be any site name preferred and the URL should be valid. The sitemgr can choose which modules to add for the new site, except for the Listing module which is a default module and is already included. Click on the submit button to create the new site.

2) This process may take some time so DO NOT LEAVE THE CURRENT PAGE until it has finished loading. After the site has been successfully added, you will be redirected to this page:

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When the site manager creates a new site, the support team will receive an email with the information to configure the server. The status is currently pending after the site is created. This is because the support team needs to configure your server before the new site will be activated.

The following settings will also be applied to the new created site:
SSL: OFF
Branded print: ON
Zipcode proximity: ON

If the sitemgr would want to change the setiings, the support team would have to be notified.

When a new site is added, the database is created on the same server that the edirectory was installed, if the site manager wants to change the server for the site, the support team will have to be notified so they can implement these settings for the next sites that the site manager will add. A dropdown will appear so the sitemgr can choose which server will be used to have the new site database.

Deleting A Site

If the site manager wants to delete a site, he can go to sitemgr->Sites and click on the delete icon.
Once a site is deleted, the data will be saved for one week, allowing the data to be restored by the support team in cases wherein the sitemgr accidentally deletes a site.

Enjoy the same features on your new site

The other configurations that are available for a normal directory in the sitemgr section are also available for a multi-domain directory. This means that each site created will have a different configurations and settings. They will have their own dashboard for the control settings.