DNN 5 - List of Changes and Additions from DNN 4.x to DNN 5

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Posted by: mamlin 12/5/2008 2:23 AM

I've seen quite a few people around the 'net asking for a list of major changes from DNN 4.x to DNN 5.  I have always found it a little frustrating that there never seems to be such a list (outside of brief Gemini Change Logs) when new versions of the DNN framework or even new module versions are released.  We often get bits and pieces via blogs and forums but rarely a solid list of features as you'd normally find for a commercial product release.  To this end, I decided to make and share my own list of the more notable DNN 5 features...
 
 
Official Change List
There is usually only one offical list of changes for a DNN framework or a DNN core module.  The list is spread among a project's various RoadMaps and Change Logs at Gemini.  Fortunately you can see a consolidated list of all the DNN 5 Roadmap files here.  Unfortunately it is not exactly "reader friendly" for those looking to quickly scan a concise list of new features.  If you want the "official" line on changes, though, Gemini is where its at.  
 
You can view the full Gemini page for DNN 5 here:
http://support.dotnetnuke.com/Main.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fproject%2fRoadMap.aspx%3fPROJID%3d2&PROJID=2

(Update 1/22/2009)  
See a list of problems with the DNN 5.0 release and what's getting fixed in the 5.0.1 release:
http://www.eguanasolutions.com/DNN_Blog/EntryID/21.aspx
 
  
New FRAMEWORK / SKIN Stuff
Let's jump right to the list, shall we?  Remember, this is my own list of what I happen to deem to be the more notable features in DNN 5.

  • Added a minimized jQuery library to DNN core.  Requires a special include statement to load it for module use (i.e., the jQuery library is not loaded by default). 
     
  • Added IE8 "Web Slices" support. 
     
  • Expanded support for XHTML.  Compliant DNN sites -- who would have thought?
     
  • Added "Widget" framwork.  This allows easier use of JavaScript, especially for those not familiar with JS programming.  Use of Widgets may be eclipsed by the more-recent addition of jQuery. 
     
  • Improved Skin Object declarations / design.  External XML files are no longer required plus skin designers will now have the ability to have full skin object WYSIWYG support at the HTML level (i.e., before uploading and transforming into the final ASCX version).
     
  • Personalization for Anonymous users.  Use cookies to remember personalized settings for users who are not logged in.
     
  • SEND PASSWORD gets "ReturnURL" support.  Now users can select "Send Password" and be returned to their original page (just like the default LOGIN and REGISTER links now do) instead of being left stranded on the "Send Password Reminder" page.
     
  • "Remember Login" feature now optional.  Admins can now configure whether portals provide the "Remember Me" option for the Login module.
     
  • "Send Password" errors now reported.  Previously if a "Send Password" attempt failed for any reason the failure was logged but no debug information was provided.  Now error logging will include failed password reminder degub info. 
     

New PAGE / MODULE Management Stuff

  • Removed distinction between ADMIN modules and DESKTOP MODULES (user modules).  This means that admins can grant Admin module rights to users on a per-module basis.  Previously Admins would have to trick DNN into exposing these modules as detailed in this post.  
     
  • Added ability to set "DENY" permission for pages and modules.  Woohoo! This has been about the most obvious missing feature in DNN for the past several years. 
     
  • Added new Page Edit view.  The new view hides pane titles and dotted boundry lines while in EDIT mode.  Selecting a module's destination panel from the Control Panal's dropdown list with briefly display the boundry lines and panel title.  View a brief video of this feature here. 
     
  • Add RESOURCE FILE support for skins.  Skins may now define a .RESX  file to aid with creating localized skins. 
     

Other Stuff
I'll add to this list as time goes on and I discover / determine that other features are notable enough to list.  Please feel free to comment and point out items I've missed or have not yet come to fully appreciate.
 
 
(Update 1/22/2009)  
See a list of problems with the DNN 5.0 release and what's getting fixed in the 5.0.1 release:
http://www.eguanasolutions.com/DNN_Blog/EntryID/21.aspx
 
 
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Re: DNN 5 - List of Changes and Additions from DNN 4.x to DNN 5    By Conejo Valley Unified School District on 9/2/2010 8:56 AM
User Defined Table module is now called Forms and List. Text/HTML module is now called HTML. Admin -> Newsletters is now called Admin -> Bulk Email
Re: DNN 5 - List of Changes and Additions from DNN 4.x to DNN 5    By mamlin on 9/2/2010 9:01 AM
Thanks, CVUSD. When I noted changes for the initial versions of DNN5.x I was focused on the technical additions and didn't even consider mentioning the UI changes for existing features. The improvements to the Forms and List module alone are well worth a few blog entries.

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Total control over the user signup process.  Create custom forms, execute your own SQL, use the integrated payment processing features to assign user roles, validate USERNAMEs via AJAX and much more.  Very cool.
 
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Change to friendly URLs that really ARE friendly.  Add keywords into your page URLs for better SEO.  Create 301 redirects for individual pages.  Force visitors (and search bots) to a single domain (i.e., make everyone use the "www" version of your site's URL or vice versa).  One of the single best upgrades for any DNN site.
 
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Rock-solid form module for data collection.  From simple feedback / email forms to complex, multi-part tabbed forms.  XMOD is different from other form modules because XMOD does not create a new database table for every new form definition -- an important feature if you plan to create dozens or hundreds of forms over the life of your DNN instance!  Excellent support from the developer and an active community around this module.
 
If you desire your form module to create a new DB table for each new form definition, a great alternative to XMOD is the Dynamic Forms module from DataSprings.  Dynamic Forms offers direct DB access beyond that found in XMOD as well as an easy drag-and-drop form builder option to help you get up and running very quickly.

  
     

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