Bloo version 0.17 is finally released! Well, “released” is a strong term as I still continue to stingily keep this code out of the public domain. I still have those last few bows to tie on the top before I’m ready to open the kimono (plus, I have a wiki to setup).

This one has a lot more internal/behind the scenes improvements than external improvements. Here is the list of what’s been done:

• Fixed the RSS feed so that it would translate those funky Word characters correctly
• Developed a Quotes package. This page has the Quote of the Day snapon (QOTD) enabled. There is also a Random Quote snapon I wrote – they both inherit from a common object and just vary the quote selection algorithm. I love quotes!
• Created an extension architecture. This is for snapon packages considered outside the base product. Right now the Quotes package and the Bible package (which gives you the verse of the day snapon in the navbar) are in the extensions area.



Me and my doppelganger De

feeling the wind in our hair

(note: not really)


• Did a lot of enhancing to the “Lists” package. An example of a List is the bloogroll, for instance, or the quotes. The Lists package gives a common set of snapons for maintaining lists. I added a lot of flexibility to the lists, allowing for dynamic overlays and snapons in the maintenance area. I know, that probably makes no sense. You’d have to see it – but let me just say that I’m definitely feeling the wind in my hair now.
• Multiple bloogroll categories: Now the bloogroll can be grouped into multiple categories. I’ve added an “LJ Friends” category where livejournal bloggers I know now find their home in the Bloogroll. If you ever want to gain some hope for the future, read those!
• Now all the blog settings are stored in a list, rather than in a configuration file. Again, this is behind the scenes, but it really makes maintenance a lot easier
• Finally, I rewrote the security module. Originally Bloo implemented a “levels-based” security ala WordPress or B2. But I’m not completely satisfied with that method. I wanted something more flexible, so I’m now using Role based security. Each user of the blog is assigned a role – and roles can contain privileges for other roles, etc. It’s a better security method, imo, and I’m glad I got that in now, rather than later. That’s one reason (excuse) this upgrade took so long

Well, there you have it. Bloo version 0.17 is now live. I look forward to getting started on the next incremental release.

Watch me for the changes . . .