We are currently working on the major developments for the next version of Simple:Press Forum. Originally targeted as version 3.2, we have reluctantly had to take a long, hard look at our continued support for older versions of WordPress and found that it is becoming too problematic to justify, so the next version will become Version 4.0 and will require WordPress 2.5 or later. It will no longer install or upgrade on older WordPress releases. We hope we do not disenfranchise any of our users with this move which is the inevitable result of the frequency and scope of changes on the WordPress core.

At the same time we are also making it a requirement for the MySQL database being used to be version 4.1.21 or later which will allow us to further optimise queries and take advantage of newer features.

Version 4.0 has had further optimisation work developed that will aid in performance and CPU usage. Important bugs and problems are being fixed and there are many new features on offer most of which come directly from user requests. We are targeting the final release for mid November and all being well it will stay on track. We will be hoping to sign up some users for beta testing prior to that and will announce a beta period nearer the time. For full details of the bugs fixed and new features of version 4.0 - please visit our SPF Trac site.

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We will keep that under review until the last moment but I don't believe that the MySQL version has anything to do with plesk any more than it does, say, with cPanel. The MySQL version is determined by which version your host chooses to support and yours is supporting an older version.

YAY! I love new features. I've been up to my elbows in code trying to skin a Magento install, and it's kicking my butt. I'll be well tired of everything and ready to have some fun by the time this is released, so I'm happy to hear it.

Andy - PLEASE, I want to beta test!

Hello, Andy and Mr Papa

The version 4.0 is a good idea, and a very big job I can appreciate.

Of course, I visited the wiki, but I didn't understand if there is a reserved part for the requests. Maybe you will create a new forum for the V4 requests.

I have a request : The antispam tool can erase undesired subscribed users. It's perfectly explained that the action is unreversible. I don't remember how the command button is called in english, but the french translation is “manage the spam senders”. So I try to “manage” them… and a lot of my subscribers where directly deleted.

In the V4, is it possible to change the name of this command button, and/or add an alert “Are you sure ? All the subscribers described above will be removed !”

Thank you, and good luck for your new “baby”.

I am very excited about the new version.  Two questions:

1. Will 4.0 support upgrade from 3.x?
2. Is there an estimated date for release? I'd like to time the launch of my site redesign around this.

A Halloween release, nice!

I was just looking at the trac, and wanted to give my thoughts/opinions on post ratings:

Was thinking about tackling the post ratings request, so this will serve as some initial thoughts…

• Should we allow ratings of posts or topics? or both? certainly posts… could the topic be the “sum” of the posts? or its own rating?
• How do we rate? On some sort of graduated scale (ie 1 - 5), or thumbs up / thumbs down vote? user defined? first thoughts are not user defined due to complexity vs payoff… My initial thoughts are use the thumb up / thumb down…
• Who can rate? sounds like a new permission is in order for this… Should we keep track of who has voted and limit each person to 1 vote? sounds logical, but could be tricky tracking nonmembers if guests are allowed to vote…
• Should have a template tag for best rated… maybe even our own page view?

I think you should allow ratings of posts - a topic is basically just a starting post, right? Maybe do the topics like somehow designate which are “hot topics”.

I think a 5-star system is a good rating system. 10 is too many. A yes or no choice, as in thumbs up or down, doesn't leave a lot of room!

I don't think you should let guests vote by default - maybe make it a permission that the admin can set on a group basis? Definitely one person-one vote though.

YES! A nice template tag we can put in the sidebar, like the latest forum posts plugin.

That's my 2p! Or wait - you guys don't use pence anymore, do you? Okay, that's my 2 euros (dollars aren't what they used to be)!

RoseCitySister: Well I think you just about defined things as we did them so that's good! And NO…. we don't use Euro's in England. 'Pence' is good - and accurate!

jfv: That would just about be the only way that makes any sense - at least that was my conclusion.

Mr Papa said:

Absolutely you will be able to upgrade from 3.x or any previous version of SPF…  provided that is, you meet the minimum requirements for WP (2.5+) and mysql (4.1.21+)…

We have tentatively been planning on a beta release around the end of October, but that is subject to change…  With WP 2.7 due out before the end of the year, we are trying to make sure we are compatible with it too…

It will be a public beta, so watch for announcements…

No problem meeting minimum requirements.  Those are pretty easy requirements.  If your web host doesn't meet them you should get a new host.  Glad to hear about the upgrade.  You guys are awesome!

Thankfully, there are several hosting options and SQL implementations that do maintain a collection of preinstalled packages.

Parallels's Pre-Installed Software Packages for Plesk also include WordPress 2.5.1 (Latest Release Plesk v8.6)

Plesk by Parallels currently supports MySql up to version 5.0 Add-on support packages are also available for MsSQL and PostgreSQL with PgPHPAdmin.

Parallels Support office claims that their software is compatible with MySQL versions - RC5.1, 6.0Beta, and MySQL Miranda.

Sun Microsystems is pre-releasing Miranda to Major Software Houses for betatesting compatiblity option for hosts with Windows Vista Servers.

Dear Yellow Swordfish.

If users could just realise all the work and time you guys invest to make possible that a creative idea becomes a tangible tool for the people to use….

I really really appreciate the team work, time spent and devotion you guys are putting on SPF.

And I'm totally happy with the forim you created.

My 270 members too.

;-P

Gionata Nencini

http://www.Partireper.it

thank you sir!

Feel free to get an in depth view of what's coming in 4.0 via this link….

that very issue, I believe, was addressed with the 3.1.4 security release… you really should grab it…

as the PM interface, the changes are in work as we speak…  we certainly hope to address the issue you mentione…  I won't say its gonna make it until the code is committed, but we are working towards that end…  the entire PM scheme is getting a face lift and more capabilities…