Raptor Services

I've been off to a very busy start for 2010, and have just released new bugfixes for the EZ* range of software products, some new modules and a new Support FAQ's.

EZ Realty 5.4.6 has had a range of bugs fixed - including the bookmark link, an intermittent bug with the CSV import function, mapping resolution on the full details page template and profile details output, as well as some updates to a couple of frontend style classes.  I also added in some new redirects - which have now replaced the 403 no access redirects that have caused some confusion with users.  There have also been some tweaks to the following modules:- featured listing, featured agent, latest sellers, multi-featured properties, new listings, random listings and menu links.

EZ Autos 5.4.4 has also had a similar range of bugs fixed - including the bookmark link, an intermittent bug with the CSV import function, mapping resolution on the full details page template and profile details output, a bug with the sms display on the full details page output, as well as some updates to a couple of frontend style classes to improve layouts in some circumstances.  I also added in some new redirects - which have now replaced the 403 no access redirects that have caused some confusion with users.  There have also been some tweaks to the following modules:- featured listing, featured dealer, latest sellers, multi-featured listings, new listings, random listings and menu links.

EZ Rider 3.3.3 has also had a similar range of bugs fixed this time around - including the bookmark link, an intermittent bug with the CSV import function, as well as some updates to a couple of frontend style classes to improve layouts in some circumstances.  New in EZ Rider is a mapping resolution setting for the full details page and profile details page - so you'll be able to control the initial level of zoom shown on a map.  I also added in some new redirects - which have now replaced the 403 no access redirects that have caused some confusion with users.  Also in this release are some tweaks to the following modules:- featured listing, featured dealer, latest sellers, multi-featured listings, new listings, random listings and menu links.

Customers will also be happy to know that EZ Realty, EZ Autos and EZ Rider all have a new fading slideshow module which has numerous configurable options - and some nice overlay effects for screen descriptions.  As usual - customers can log into their accounts for the latest download packages so they can upgrade their sites when they have the time.

I've also been writing a new Support FAQ's document this year - to streamline the support process.  Customers will be able to download the new Support FAQ's from their customer accounts and from the support site - and it'll be your first point of reference if you encounter a problem or have a question.  The FAQ's contains information on common error messages and how to solve them, common problems, basic customisation issues and more.  It's a very comprehensive document - and as with all documents - I'll continue to add to it as I encounter new and interesting support issues.  Customers will still have access to the support site services - so don't panic.  The new Support FAQ's is simply a consolidated reference resource to get you going quickly, and I'm sure customers will find it a great resource.

It has been a busy day today, with a full round of small bug-fix releases for EZ Realty, EZ Autos and EZ Rider.

EZ Realty 5.4.5 is a small change which has swapped out Letterman integration for ccNewsletter integration for Joomla 1.5x native users.

EZ Autos 5.4.3 has had a bug with the vehicle condition selector lists in the admin area and frontend area add/edit listing form fixed, Letterman integration has been swapped out for ccNewsletter integration for Joomla 1.5x native users, and the vehicle makes module has had the database queries updated to ensure a correct vehicle count is displayed based on the type of expiry management system being used.

EZ Rider 3.3.2 has had a bug with the admin area branding corrected for brand free license holders, a magic quotes bug with the category descriptions in the admin area has been fixed to strip out backslashes from descriptions, Letterman integration has been swapped out for ccNewsletter integration for Joomla 1.5x native users, and the vehicle makes module has had the database queries updated to ensure correct motorcycle counts are displayed based on the type of expiry management system being used.

Customers can download the latest packages from their customer accounts at http://www.raptorservices.com/customers/ as usual, and there are bug-fix packages, upgrade packages and new installation packages available in each of the distribution packages.  Upgrade instructions are as per usual, and you can refresh your memory on what these are by having a read of the user guide.  Remember to always be safe when doing an upgrade.  Don't do it while you're tired, rushed, annoyed or otherwise distracted.  Make a full database backup - including table structure and full data inserts before beginning the upgrade work, and make a full backup of your site files too before beginning.  These simple precautions will save you much grief if you make a major mistake with the upgrade procedure.  Sites can be quickly and easily restored from backups - so this is a good habit to get into prior to any upgrade to your site :-)

After the distractions of last week - I'm pleased to announce the release of EZ Rider version 3.3.0 - which has been designated a small new features upgrade.  New in version 3.3.0 are the upgrades to the profiling system - to enable seller privileges, the upload of a business banner and logo, as well as PDF advertising material for the dealership and listed motorcycles.  The configuration area has had a number of new settings added too - to allow various sections of data in the add/edit motorcycle details form to be turned off, a new custom features list manager has been added to the EZ Rider admin cPanel to manage items on a multiple select list, the AJAX make/model selector lists have been replaced by php/javascript chained selectors due to problems experienced by customers using languages with special characters, and a new google feed has been added.

The search module has been updated with the new selector list code so you'll also need to upgrade this, and the motorcycle makes module has been modified with an alternative dropdown selector list as a more compact option to the bulleted list of modules - so I'm sure there will be many who are keen to test out this update too.

Customers can access their upgrades by logging into their customer accounts, and upgrades are as per the instructions in the user guide.  As always - make a full backup of your site and database prior to doing the upgrade, remember to press the "upgrade database" button after doing the upgrade, and don't do the upgrade when you're tired or rushed.

We've released a new "Developer" license for EZ Realty in response to the requests for access to modify more than has been possible in the past, and we're sure customers will be happy with this new package.  You can read more about the "Developer" license over on the EZ Realty product page - and you'll find it available for purchase from our online store .

We'll follow this release up with "Developer" licenses for EZ Autos and EZ Rider - so our other customers will not miss out either.

Our Mambo and Joomla 1.0x customers will be happy to hear we've released an EZ Realty 5.4.3 package for use on these platforms in line with our earlier commitment to do this.  New customers will also have a choice of platforms for EZ Realty's latest version - including the Joomla 1.5x platform which has been available for some time.

Customers can download EZ Realty 5.4.3 for Mambo/Joomla from their customer accounts as usual.

EZ Autos version 5.4.1 has been released today, and it's a small bugfix release to address a couple of recent issues. Fixed in this release includes:-

• updated the images.php file to correctly process xls and doc uploads
• updated the redirect URL's on the frontend delete pdfs and profile images functions so they return to the correct listing

EZ Autos customers can download the latest version from their customer accounts as usual, and the distribution package contains bugfix packages, an upgrade package and the usual full installation package.

EZ Realty version 5.4.3 has been released today, and it's a small bugfix release to address a couple of issues that have been brought to my attention recently. Fixed in this release includes:-

• problem with mls/id search on the multilayout opening page when JoomFish is used
• updated the images.php file to correctly process xls and doc uploads
• fixed a bug with the delete states function in the admin area
• updated the redirect URL's on the frontend delete pdfs and profile images functions so they return to the correct listing

The latest version is available for EZ Realty customers from their customer accounts as usual, and the distribution package contains bugfix packages, an upgrade package and the usual full installation package.

EZ Autos 5.4.0 has been released this week, and it's classified a small new features upgrade.  New in EZ Autos is the Setcom payment processor, so this should now enable automatic paid listings functionality for many customers not serviced by PayPal.

Existing customers can access their upgrade packages as usual from their customer accounts.

I'm currently working on EZ Rider now - to introduce the Setcom support and a number of other features.

EZ Realty 5.4.0 has been released this evening, and it's classified a small new features upgrade to enable the introduction of some new search modules, a new payment processor, and a couple of other minor updates.  New modules for EZ Realty include a new search field module which allows for the city, state and postcode to be searched for, a smallish search form which allows for searching of the category, sale/rent properties, price range and city/state/postcode to be searched.  The keyword search has also been added back to the multisearch module as testing didn't show up any bugs with it this time - and there is also a new fading slideshow module with text descriptions called pictureshow.

The new payment processor is for Setcom, however as it hasn't undergone extensive post-development beta testing yet - you should consider it beta quality and test it before using it in a live production environment. I'm hopeful that the Setcom payment processor will prove useful for those clients in countries not serviced by PayPal - as it's available in 200 countries.

Customers, please report any bugs when testing the Setcom payment processor to me over on the helpdesk - along with a description of your settings and what the outcome was.

Also changed in this version is the calendar system, as the other one had a variable page position.  The new calendar system should popup next to the date field being edited.

Upgrading to EZ Realty 5.4.0 is as per the upgrade instructions in the user guide, and you'll find an upgrade package in the downloaded distribution package.  Remember to make a backup of your site and database table prior to doing the upgrade - and don't do an upgrade when you're feeling tired, stressed or otherwise distracted for whatever reason.  It never ends well ;-)

Raptor Services is pleased to announce the release of EZ Realty Lite - a really simple, no-frills version of the full-featured EZ Realty system.  EZ Realty Lite has been released for a couple of reasons - as a means to give users a taste of EZ Realty's simplicity - and for users with little in the way of skills or knowledge to get their real estate listings online.  If you find you need more in the way of features - then upgrade to the full-featured commercial EZ Realty system.

We've released EZ Realty Lite under the GNU GPL license, and you can read more about it on its product information page .