5.0.1 - General thoughts?

[RIChristianscom]

To current Indexu 5.0.1 users who've upgraded from 3.1, what are your thoughts thus far?

To be specific, if you don't feel like writing me a book report, was it worth it?

As an owner for over a year now, I know all about the late nights debugging the script, etc. Coming from a zero knowledge PHP, SQL database background, I'm just starting to feel somewhat comfortable in really gutting the code to my specs., I'd hate to dive head in and realize I erred greatly.

I've yet to upgrade (just realized I could and there's a new version actually) and would prefer to hear from some current member here one thing, "Should I hold off or go for it?"

Any and all thoughts, opinions, feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[kservik]

It is pretty much to do if you have changed a lot and dont know that much PHP like me.

I am still testing the new version, as it is too big a job for me for now.

[dody]

if you have many hacked codes from 3.2, i could say that it's hard for you to upgrade. Version 5 is a big difference although the codes is based from 3.2

[RIChristianscom]

Thank you for your input, kservik.

And you as well, Dody. Anyone else care to share their thoughts? I'd really like some more feedback

My hesitation in upgrading lies in a few key areas:

1. Smarty Template Engine
I've read a little about this and frankly I'd prefer to have it as is where I do not have to rely on a system to assist me in any design changes. Granted this system perhaps makes things easier but I'd hate to find out I'm limited in making any sort of change that fancies me. I'd just prefer complete control and am afraid Smarty would hold me back. Am I wrong about this?

2. Design
Although the new design graphics are an improvement (I especially like the top navigational system, reminds me of others like Hotscripts), I prefer the lower body to look like the old system, including the shadowed borders. Would Smarty hold me back in configuring it to look like the old one?

There's some others, can't recall e'm right now though...

[dody]

Some other users said that if you're happy with the current work version, you may better not to upgrade it.

[santocki]

1. Smarty Template Engine
I've read a little about this and frankly I'd prefer to have it as is where I do not have to rely on a system to assist me in any design changes. Granted this system perhaps makes things easier but I'd hate to find out I'm limited in making any sort of change that fancies me. I'd just prefer complete control and am afraid Smarty would hold me back. Am I wrong about this?

I have personally used template based and non-template based PHP scripts. Most of the template based scripts are not flexible and almost impossible to have controle. Depending on the programmer's coding style, non-template based scripts can be a nightmare for you to edit by yourself, which occurs most of the time.

I am not an expert either but I found out that Smarty is simple and powerful because you are able to execute all the PHP commands by putting between the <%PHP%> and <%/PHP%> tags, so you do have overall controle over the script. Fortunately, INDEXU 5.0.1 is well coded, so I think it was really easy to change the web design without touching the PHP scripts.

2. Design
Although the new design graphics are an improvement (I especially like the top navigational system, reminds me of others like Hotscripts), I prefer the lower body to look like the old system, including the shadowed borders. Would Smarty hold me back in configuring it to look like the old one?

It is possible to change your design anyway you want by editing the templates, it was easy like editing the ordinary HTML files. I don't know about version 3.2 but version 5's designs are all done with the templates and CSS file.

[RIChristianscom]

Thank you for your feedback, santocki. After mulling it over a bit, I decided to keep my version as is but update the look (see an example at www.domainseven.com - not my site but the gentleman there was kind enough to sell me his theme package.)

I also decided buy phpMyDirectory for my main commercial site and keep Indexu as a hobby one. When I free up some time, I may install this version and play with it a bit.

Thanks to everyone for their input!

[esm]

I also decided buy phpMyDirectory for my main commercial site and keep Indexu as a hobby one. When I free up some time, I may install this version and play with it a bit.

Although I am not sure that I like the category URLs created by it, http://www.c97.net/dir.php looks dang interesting...



.

[kylef]

I'm happy with the upgrade I didn't have any problems as I know php and didn't have so many mods. You can see our new site http://www.fast2web.no
The 3.x version of indexu with our old design is at http://www.fast2web.no/shop/

[Frank71]

If you have not many own hacks update is mainly Smarty design work, but smarty is much better so you'll be lucky after you understand what to do.
No need to buy other buggy scripts

But it is fact, that 5.0.1 is now much more buggy than versions before so you should read reports here and decide if the bugs are related to your page.

Regards
Frank