DOCman v1.4.0 BETA2 released!

The Joomlatools team is proud to announce the release of DOCman v1.4.0 BETA 2.

*** IMPORTANT ***

PLEASE READ THE UPGRADE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW WHEN UPGRADING FROM AN OLDER VERSION!

ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR SYSTEM'S FILES AND DATABASE BEFORE (UN)INSTALLING ANYTHING!


About DOCman
------------
DOCman is an open source document management and download system for Joomla! v1.0.x and v1.5. With this component you can manage documents across categories and make them available for download.

These are the main features of DOCman:

* Infinite categories and subcategories. The documents can be organized across custom categories and subcategories;
* Files can be hosted locally or on a remote server
* Access control: Documents can be assigned to specific user or to custom groups of users
* Download counter and log. You can display a download counter per document and all the downloads can be logged (by user, IP, browser, date and hour);
* Own search system. Documents can be searched by name and/or description. The search system integrates with Joomla! using an optional mambot;
* Anti-leech system. The built-in anti-leech system avoids direct linking to documents;
* Path protection. Real paths to documents are never displayed to users;
* Themes: The layout can be changed using custom themes;
* ... and much more!

Version 1.4.0 BETA2 features
---------------------------
Some of the changes since v1.3RC2:
* Compatible with Joomla! v1.5 (using legacy mode)
* Document and Category descriptions can use content mambots (optional)
* Reworked user interface
* Uninstalling or reinstalling preserves your data. Instead, data can be removed using the new 'Clear Data' feature
* Simple progress bar during upload
* Pathway integrates with Joomla
* 'Unapproved documents' admin module
* Themes can have separate icons for browsers that don't support PNG alpha transparency
* Huge performance improvements!
* Some minor security issues were fixed, about a hundred language strings were added and about a hundred other bugs were fixed. Please see the included CHANGELOG.php for a (near) complete list.

Installation
------------
1. Install DOCman using Joomla's component installer.
2. If you're new to DOCman, we highly recommend you click the 'Add sample data'-button.
3. Review the configuration settings and save.
4. To use the integrated search, install the optional search mambot and publish it.

Joomla! v1.5 and Legacy mode
----------------------------
In order to use DOCman in Joomla! 1.5, you need to turn on legacy mode. In the administrator section, go to Extensions -> Plugin Manager and publish the item 'System - Legacy'. You need to use v1.5RC2 or later.

Upgrading from v1.3 RC2
-----------------------
Please follow these instructions carefully to make sure no data is lost.
1. Install com_patch_docman_v13rc2.zip using Joomla's component installer.
2. [Optional] Make a backup copy of /administrator/components/com_docman/docman.config.php to a different location
3. [Optional] If you have custom themes, make sure you backup these separately. They're in /components/com_docman/themes
4. Uninstall DOCman 1.3 RC2. Your files, documents, categories, licenses, logs and groups will be preserved.
5. Uninstall docman13rc2_patch
6. Install the latest version of DOCman
7. [Optional] Restore docman.config.php and your theme
8. Review the configuration settings and save
9. [Optional] Uninstall old addons and install the new versions

Upgrading from v1.4.0 Alpha or later
------------------------------------
If you have any version of 1.4.x, you can always upgrade to the latest version without loosing your data, EXCEPT the config settings and the theme.
1. [Optional] Make a backup copy of /administrator/components/com_docman/docman.config.php to a different location
2. [Optional] If you have custom themes, make sure you backup these separately They're in /components/com_docman/themes
3. Uninstall DOCman 1.4.x Your files, documents, categories, licenses, logs and groups will be preserved.
4. Install the latest version of DOCman
5. [Optional] Restore docman.config.php and your theme
6. Review the configuration settings and save
7. [Optional] Uninstall old addons and install the new versions

Official Addons
---------------
These are currently available from the official site:
* DOCLink
Joomla editor plugin that allows the insertion of links to DOCman files using a popup dialog.
* DOCman Search
Mambot for searching DOCman Files
* mod_docman_catdown
Shows the documents from one specific category
* mod_docman_latestdown
Shows the latest added documents
* mod_docman_lister
Show a list of popular/latest documents
* mod_docman_mostdown
Show the most downloaded documents

Useful Links
------------
* Official Site:
http://www.joomlatools.org

* Joomla!Code Project Site:
http://joomlacode.org/gf/project/docman

* Download the latest version and add-ons:
http://joomlacode.org/gf/project/docman/frs/

* Get help and help others on the forum:
http://forum.joomlatools.org

* Report bugs and feature requests:
http://joomlacode.org/gf/project/docman/tracker/

* Vote at the Joomla! Extensions Directory
http://extensions.joomla.org/component/option,com_mtree/task,viewlink/link_id,82/Itemid,35/

* Vote at Ohloh
http://www.ohloh.net/projects/6141?p=Joomlatools