[SPT/CWIS] CWIS 1.5.0 Released

[Edward Almasy]

    CWIS version 1.5.0 has been released, and is now available for  
download
    on the Scout web site at http://scout.wisc.edu/Projects/CWIS/downloads.php

    Highlights of the release include:

      - new XML-based controlled vocabulary import support
      - new OAI harvest log display
      - new "Refine Search" option on search results page
      - new Search Log display
      - new Failed Search Log display
      - support for per-field permissions
      - completely new AJAX-enhanced resource editor
      - new Collection Administrator user role
      - new custom privilege flags
      - new Advanced Search interface (offers reduced complexity)
      - new segmented Administration interface
      - new simple resource suggestion interface
      - new "Recent Searches" box
      - new resource record problem reporting
      - new "File" base metadata field type
      - completely revamped new user signup
      - new anti-spam protection
      - support for synonyms in search
      - significant speed optimizations for complex searches
      - hooks for AWStats and Google Analytics
      - new hooks for custom code (see include/SPT--Local--EXAMPLE.php)

    (Some of these additions have been previously available in beta.)
    The release also includes many minor enhancements, bug fixes, and
    optimizations, and incorporates all security patches to date.

    Later this week we will also be releasing a beta version of 1.5.0,  
that
    is functionally identical but has a new 100% web-based installation
    process, for those without shell access who want to try CWIS.

    More information about new features and enhancements in this  
release can
    be found at http://scout.wisc.edu/Projects/CWIS/CHANGES or via the  
Revision
    History available on the Portal Administration menu in the new  
software.


    IMPORTANT:  As of version 1.5.0, CWIS now requires PHP version  
4.1.0 or
    later and MySQL version 4.1 or later.  This will likely be the  
last major
    release of the software that works with PHP 4.x and MySQL 4.x, as  
the 4.x
    versions of both are no longer supported by the PHP or MySQL  
development
    teams.  We strongly suggest moving to a web server environment  
with PHP 5.x
    and MySQL 5.x when you have the opportunity.


    After installing the new version, we would ask that you use the  
"Register
    with Scout" feature on the Administration menu to let us know you're
    using the new version of software.  It really helps us determine  
what kind
    of operating environments the software is running in, and where  
next to go
    with development.

    We look forward to your feedback on this new version of CWIS.

    Thanks!

    Ed


---
    Edward Almasy                             ealmasy at scout.wisc.edu
    Co-Director                                 1210 W Dayton Street
    Internet Scout                                  Madison WI 53706
    Computer Sciences Department                608-262-6606 (voice)
    University of Wisconsin - Madison             608-265-9296 (fax)