News from the Top

We have received a number of reports that the “add fav” button isn’t working for a number of you. If you use the “NoScript” add-on for Firefox, make sure javascript is allowed for HeavenGames:

Otherwise, if you are using other browsers, make sure scripting is allowed for HeavenGames.com.

The first of the features under “C9” have been deployed. The Favorites feature will allow download section users to quickly add a file to a collection of favorites that other users can view on your profile. The feature was implemented to cater to the group of download users who do not have the time to write an in-depth, detailed review of the file. This is the first iteration of the feature; there are other aspects that are being worked on.

Thanks to Elpea for coding the feature; Jay for writing the functional specifications; Pecunia for guidance and the deployment of the update; and our small team of testers who provided valuable feedback during testing – LukeG, Shelper, and Kester.

The download system at all heavens has been updated to version 0.6.5.3.

Bugs fixed:

• Advanced title search added a ‘C’ in front of the title to search on, which caused the “next” pages to fail.
• Submission text: changed ‘“Edit” button’ to ‘“Update” button’ and made a mention of WinXP’s built-in zip function

New features:

• Download admins can now choose to keep the review ratings when they move a file.
• New configuration flag: read-only mode, where file and comment submissions are disabled. Useful for archived sites.

The download sections at all heavens have been updated to version 0.6.5.2. This release fixes two bugs:

• Email notifications to file authors for new comments and reviews didn’t work properly
• An infinite redirect loop when logging in has been eliminated

The download sections at all heavens have been updated to version 0.6.5.1. Improvements and new features:

• Downloads staff now have a “staff” title below their name, like the “Official Reviewer” tag
• Added support for authors to opt-out of comment notifications. Users can opt-out via their forum account profile on the forums.
• Email notifications of comments and reviews to the file author now say that it’s an automatic email
• Admin: File update notification emails no longer (incorrectly) state that the file needs approval

By far the most important change is that email notifications are now by default turned off. You can enable them in your forum account profile.

Right on the heels of filling the previous PHP Programmer position, we’re looking for an additional PHP programmer to assist with our downloads system. This is a volunteer position.

Prerequisites:

• 2+ years of experience with making web applications in PHP
• Previous game scenario design/modding experience
• Experience with SVN and Trac a plus

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to us at zen (at) heavengames (dot) com.

Dear downloads section contributors,

An upcoming change will affect how you receive new comment notifications on your submitted file. If you wish to continue to receive new comments, it is imperative that you go to the “My Account” area in the forums, check th “Yes, I wish to receive notifications from the downloads system” option underneath your email address, and save the changes. This will ensure comment notifications are sent to you after the new update is installed.

If you do not wish to receive comment notifications, do nothing – once the new update is installed the notifications will not be sent.

We’ve also set up a Trac for the downloads system. If you find a bug in the downloads system or have an idea for improving the system, please report it.

The HG Downloads System on all heavens has been updated to version 0.6.5 this morning. Changes from 0.6.4:

• BUG – Fixed a possible XSS vulnerability
• BUG – Fixed broken /downloads links (without trailing slash) on Zope sites
• BUG – Ratings from unapproved/deleted reviews are no longer counted in a file’s overall rating in the RHS bar
• BUG – Updating a file would fail if the summary started with whitespace
• BUG – Admins are now able to edit reviews for their own files, without turning the review into a comment
• NEW – User Profile: Added link to view all comments by the user
• NEW – User Profile: Added ability to view file and review/comment statistics for the user even if a forum account is not found. This is a backward-compatibility fix for sites that was converted from the Blacksmith system
• NEW – Files: BBCode implementation for descriptions
• NEW – Files: Added optional category description in the configuration file
• NEW – Comments: Authors are now notified via email when a user comments on their file
• NEW – Comments: You can now view the latest comments in any file category via a link from the main page, or from the New Comments link in the categories navigation box on the left.
• NEW – Comments & Reviews: They are now searchable.
• NEW – Comments & Reviews: Added an “edited on..” at the bottom of edited reviews and comments
• NEW – Comments & Reviews: Official reviewer feature and “best files” list added
• NEW – Administration: You can now run rudimentary IP check on users
• NEW – Administration: Removed the file upload limit for downloads admins
• CHANGED – Updated the URL encoding scheme for filenames. It was still using the old s/ /+/ trick which doesn?t do it for other special characters that needs to be encoded.
• CHANGED – mmcache → eaccelerator
• CHANGED – Search: Improved message when a search doesn’t find any files
• CHANGED – Administration: Miscellaneous changes and fixes to the error notification emails
• CHANGED – Administration: Tables in the file and comment admin screens should look better now
• CHANGED – Files: More error checks during file updates
• CHANGED – Review guidelines link only shows up if a guide URL is set in the configuration file

The HG Downloads System was updated during the blog’s downtime. Here’s the changelog:

• BUG – Fixed a possible XSS vulnerability
• NEW – User Profile: Added link to view all comments by the user
• NEW – User Profile: Added ability to view file and review/comment statistics for the user even if a forum account is not found. This is a backward-compatibility fix for sites that was converted from the Blacksmith system
• NEW – Comments: Authors are now notified via email when a user comments on their file
• NEW – Comments: You can now view the latest comments in any file category via a link from the main page, or from the New Comments link in the categories navigation box on the left.
• NEW – Administration: You can now run rudimentary IP check on users
• NEW – Comments & Reviews: They are now searchable.
• CHANGED – Updated the URL encoding scheme for filenames. It was still using the old s/ /+/ trick which doesn’t do it for other special characters that needs to be encoded.