Version: 13 Jan 2005
Change summary
BUGFIX : page images can now be used as links (except on old level 2 template)
CHANGE : Level 2 sites will be moved into the 'black bar' style.
CHANGE : Image categorisation will leave fewer unnecessary categories now.
CHANGE : Empty image categories removed.
NEW : New content types for department home pages
NEW : New content types for highlighted links
NEW : New content type to display a subset of research projects
NEW : Completely re-written image management scripts.
NEW : Image usage information
NEW : Ability to browse for images in news, events and features content.
NEW : Partial support for GIF image format. Thumbnails are not available.
NEW : Now possible to edit meta data without editing the content itself.
Change details
Page images can now be used as links
This fixes the long-standing bug that it was not actually possible to make an image placed in the sidebar of a page into a link. Unfortunately, this bug could not be fixed in the current 'level 2' template used by most sites. These sites will be migrated (by arrangement with their maintainers) to either a new 'level 2' template or a 'level 3' template, depending on the site content (see the next item).
Level 2 sites will be moved into the 'black bar' style
The corporate templates for 'level 2' sites have been modified. We will be contacting site administrators to arrange re-templating of these sites to either the new 'level 2' templates (non-academic departments) or the new 'level 3' templates (academic departments).
Image categorisation will leave fewer unnecessary categories now
Previously, the image management system would, if you were on the page /my.department/a/b/c/d/ and looked for an image, create (if they didn't already exist) the image categories /my.department/a/, /my.department/a/b/, /my.department/a/b/c/ and /my.department/a/b/c/d/. Most of these categories then remained unused.
The system will now just use the most specific category that already exists. Categories will now only be created if you manually do so.
Empty image categories removed
As part of the above change, all unused image categories will be removed when the new version comes into effect. Each night after this, any new unused categories will be removed. Categories that have no images themselves but have sub-categories containing images will not be removed.
New content types for department home pages
'Level 3' sites will now have a special content type on their homepage which will allow for a variety of layouts. Sample pages showing the choice of layouts will be available shortly.
New content type for highlighted links
A content type is now available for creating decorative 'highlighted links'. Further details on using this content type are available inthe updated user guide.
New content type to display a subset of research projects
A new content type to display a subset of a department's research projects now exists.
Completely re-written image management scripts
The image management system has been completely re-written. Some of the changes as a result of this are mentioned above. Some new features are mentioned below. This change should allow further enhancements to the image system to be introduced more easily. The interface has been changed slightly, and hopefully will now be easier to use. The user guide has been updated to reflect the new interface.
Image usage information
By using the 'image usage' link in the image browser, you can see which pages, content items, news items, events and feature boxes use a particular image. Images that are not currently in use in any of these items can be deleted by a site administrator.
Note that it is possible in certain circumstances for an image to be in use and not appear on the list of used images (for example, it may only be used by pages outside theCMS), so please don't delete images that you know to be in use, even if the CMS will allow you to.
Ability to browse for images in news, events and features content
Previously, to add an image to a news item, event, or feature box, you needed to know the URL of the image and enter it exactly. You can still do this if you find it convenient, but we recommend that you instead use the image browsing functionality that has been added. You can now browse for an image to add at the same stage as assigning related links and categorisation.
Partial support for GIF image format
The image system will now let you upload a GIF format image. However, due to patent restrictions affecting the version of the thumbnail creation software in use, it is not currently possible to create thumbnails for these images. While this partial support has been added, we continue to recommend the use of the PNG image format instead of the GIF format.