The blog module version 04.00.00 has been released and has a stack of great new features. Here’s an overview of what to expect:

New Modules

These four modules have been added to the Blog module suite, taking it from five to nine integrated modules:

• Blog_Categories: Enables the creation and management of blog categories. By clicking on a category users can view associated entries in the View_Blog module. Tags can be displaying as a tag cloud or tag list.
• Blog_Tags: Displays the tags which bloggers have created when adding blog entries. By clicking on a tag users can view associated entries in the View_Blog module. Tags can be displaying as a tag cloud or tag list.
• Recent_Comments: Displays recent comments for the selected blog. Comment layout can be modified.
• Recent_Entries: Displays the recent entries for the selected blog. Recent Entries layout can be modified.

I am currently documenting DNN 5.1 - both Professional and Community editions. If you would like to follow my progress and discoveries - you can follow me on Twitter. My username is DNNANGEL.

For anyone would is wondering where I have been hiding... I have been enjoying some maternity leave following the birth of my beautiful daughter Allegra Rose in October last year.

DotNetNuke User Manual (4.9+) is now published and ready for sale in the DotNetNuke Marketplace. If you do choose to purchase a copy please ensure you select the correct version. Version numbers are listed in the product name.

A full Table of Contents can be found at http://www.dnnangel.com/DotNetNukeUserManuals/DotNetNukeUserManualDNN49/tabid/242/Default.aspx.

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Here's an overview of what's new in this latest version:

Latest Version Releases for Modules

Documentation for these modules has now been updated to these new releases:

Documents (Version 04.01.00) Events (Version 04.00.02) Help (Version 03.00.02) Links (Version 04.00.01) News ( Version 04.00.00) Repository (Version 03.01.15) Survey ( Version 04.05.00) Text/HTML (Version 04.08.01) User Defined Table (Version 03.05.01) Wiki (Version 04.01.00)...

I have just submitted the DNN User Manual for DNN 04.09.00 to the DotNetNuke Marketplace. It should be available for purchase in the next couple of days. I will blog when it is published.

(Shared blog post with www.DNNangel.com)

Despite the fact our desks are only arms length apart, sometimes it can take a while for DNN information to filter across the space between us. Today I discovered Philip's WISDOM acronym and thought it was great. As a non developer working with DNN newcomers it seems that the foreign sound of the word 'DotNetNuke' can alienating enough to the newbie that their eyes can instantly glaze over at its mention and they instantly assume...

The Announcements module is one of the original DotNetNuke modules which on the surface appears to offer much the same functionality as when it was originally created. However the latest versions have a new settings that provide great control over the history of items displayed, the length of search and RSS description as well as the layout of each record through the use of templates. This blog post looks at customizing your Announcements using these templates and provides access to download four different templates.

I'm pleased to announce that Help module version 03.00.02 has been released and is available for download from the Help Project page. This release includes a number of bug fixes and enhancements, plus a new features.

Here's an overview of some of the new features and enhancements in this version:

New Features:

1. A new button enables editors to reorder tutorials in alphabetical order for any category.
2. Where the Forward and Back buttons are displayed (on tutorial pages) there is a new Page X of Y feature.

One of the latest DNN project modules to be released is the Chat module. This simple to configure and use module enables multiple users to chat with one another in real time. A range of basic formatting tools can be enabled to allow chat members to format the text of their messages and send smileys.

The module uses the standard view module permissions to control which roles/users can view a chat, but also includes a unique set of permissions for setting the roles/users that are permitted to join the chat.

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The FCKeditor is used extensively throughout DNN enabling Module and Page Editors and Administrators to create, format and manage content for modules such as the Text/HTML and Announcements module, as well as compose newsletters, notification messages and more. Whilst the standard layout and functionality of the FCKeditor (pictured below) will suit most needs, Administrators have the ability customize one or more instances of the FCKeditor.

In May I added a Feedback module to the DNN Online Help page requesting feedback on how to improve the online help experience, and to enable content errors or omissions to be reported.

Firstly, many thanks to those community members who did provide feedback and report errors – it is great to get an outsiders perspective. Unfortunately, after a one month trial I found that I was receiving around...

The next major release of DotNetNuke, DNN 5 or DNN Cambrian, is well on its way with Beta 5 currently in testing stage. Over the past few weeks I have spent many hours excitedly learning and documenting the numerous changes to the way Administrators and Hosts use the core functionality. At this point I’m guessing that this bevy of fabulous changes will to require the largest rewrite and expansion of the DNN Online Help to date.

DotNetNuke Online Help for DNN 4.8 is now live at http://www.dotnetnuke.com/About/DotNetNukeOnlineHelp/tabid/787/Default.aspx. I have also added a Feedback module for anyone who is interested in providing suggestions on how to improve this resource, or is able to report an error or omission.

As always I am keen for feedback from the community as I am dedicated to continually improving this resource. Looking forward...

The latest release of the DNN User Manual has gone on sale today from the DNN Marketplace. The complete Table of Contents can be viewed at http://www.dnnangel.com/Default.aspx?tabid=205.

I will post again as soon as the DotNetNuke Online Help page has been updated. The content has been submitted and should be live soon. Stay tuned...

(Shared blog post with www.DNNangel.com)

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A slightly belated announcement that the latest DNN user manual for DNN 04.07.00 went up for sale from the DotNetNuke Marketplace on March 3rd, 2007.The PDF version is available from the DotNetNuke Marketplace at http://marketplace.dotnetnuke.com/ps-339-11-dotnetnuke-user-manualdnn-040700.aspx.

I have provided the update to the DNN webmaster and am currently waiting for this version to go up on the DotNetNuke...

DNN Online Help for DNN 4.6.2 is now for sale from the MarketPlace. View the Table of Contents or Buy DotNetNuke Online Help! At over 680 pages this is the biggest and best edition to date.

(Shared blog post with www.DNNangel.com)

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I've just left the final session for OpenForce where all of the DotNetNuke Corporation members joined the DotNetRocks crew to discuss the road ahead for DNN.

As I mentioned yesterday - Cambrian is the name for the next major DNN release (DNN 5) - and here is the overview of what Cambrian will focus upon delivering over the next year:

Social Networking & widgets Workflow Core Modue Suites - CRM and Social Networking Dynamic content localization (multi-language) Enhanced...

Last day of OpenForce 07 today and I have just come out of Peter Schotman's session on menu controls for DNN skins. Although I don't do much skinning, it was still interesting to hear from an experienced skinner an overview of the range of menus available for DNN as well as the features, pro's and cons of each.

Of special interest to skin designers was learning about the capabilities of the upcoming DNN Menu version 2 (dnn:NAV 2.0). This menu is being developed by Jon Henning and is currently in beta stage - testers are encourages to get involved to help speed up the release.

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Sorry for the delay, I will post here as soon as it is online in the DNN Marketplace.

As I mentioned previously, I have submitted it to the Marketplace, however I am still waiting for it to go live.

I spoke to Joe yesterday and I do not expect it will not be available until after the conference as everyone who can get it live is busy here.

Apologies and thanks for your patience.

(Shared blog post with www.DNNangel.com)

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It is now day two of DotNetNuke OpenForce 07 and what a blast it has been so far! Here's my round-up to date.

Core Team Luncheon: The event began on Monday with a private luncheon for core team members on Monday afternoon. It was great to meet and greet the people I have been chatting to regularly online, as well as establish relationships with others who I have only met in group chats. Warning to my new core team friends - now I know you I'm more likely to hassle you for information for documentation!...

Only 9 days to Openforce and my first visit to the USA - getting very excited now!

As with a number of the DNN Core Team I have the volunteered to help out with manning the DotNetNuke booth. My time slot will be 12:30-2:30PM on Tuesday, Nov. 6th so please drop by for a hello if you have a chance. I look forward to meeting all of my fellow DNNers soon.

(Shared blog post with www.DNNangel.com)

I am pleased to announce that DNN Online Help of DNN 4.6.0 has just been published at http://www.dotnetnuke.com/About/DotNetNukeOnlineHelp/tabid/787/Default.aspx.

Online Help can also be accessed via menu of any module on your website (See 'Disabling/Enabling Online Module Help ' at http://www.dotnetnuke.com/Resources/Documentation/DotNetNukeOnlineHelp/tabid/787/TID/2425/cid/-1/Default.aspx...

I have been updating the DNN Online Help for the soon to be released DNN 4.6.0. I'm finishing off the Admin pages today and have the talents of Philip Beadle beefing up the Host section. It looks like we will be releasing the Help around the same time as DNN 4.6.0 which will be great timing.

So now to whet your appetite for DNN...

DotNetNuke community members around the world will be thrilled to learn that the first ever DotNetNuke OpenForce 07! conferences will be held this year. Whilst many open source communities struggle to create a professional face, the DotNetNuke team has successfully evolved...

There has been a fair amount of discussion in the forums regarding the visibility of the View/Edit mode of the DNN Control Panel. I believe the new 'Control Panel Security' option in DNN 4.5.5 solves this concern nicely, by giving the Administrator the option of choosing how users experience this feature.

The 'Control Panel Security' setting is a new option in DNN 4.5.5 located under Site Settings > Usability Settings. It enables the Administrator to choose who can view the Edit/View Mode section of the...

What fun the Australian Tech.Ed was this year. Although I have been to the event the last few years, I've hovered around the edges enjoying the social and networking offerings - but never actually gone to any of the sessions until this year. Perhaps I'm finally turning into a Tech grrl because I even understood the sessions I went too. I stuck to the sessions on user interface...

I cruised along to catch Philip Beadle and Dave Glover's REMIX session (the Australian version of the Microsoft MIX conference) which was way cool, even for me who isn't a developer. I was very impressed with the CSS tools they demonstrated in Visual Studio 2008. My favorite was the simple and intuitive feature whereby the Css Class you are editing is displayed at the top of the Css list, very user friendly. Also the ability to drag-n-drop Css classes from a file to the overall project is very elegant.

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I was pretty chuffed to be asked by Frank Arrigo to be a guest TechTalk blogger over the next month or so leading up to Australian Tech.Ed. If you want to catch my rants - check out http://techtalkblogs.com/blog/.

(Shared blog post with www.DNNangel.com)

Excerpts from DotNetNuke For Dummies are available from the Wiley website.

Enjoy! http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0471798436,descCd-authorInfo.html

(Shared blog post with www.DNNangel.com)

Today is my [undisclosed age] birthday so what a treat to go online and see that DotNetNuke Portals For Dummies is now released and available for purchase. It was just the best present ever - I'm not sure what to ask for next year!

(Shared blog post with www.DNNangel.com)