In this software release we are introducing a powerful new tool called Automations, which will help reduce tagging and other repetitive tasks to help your staff be more productive. In addition, we are adding an option to use a fixed aspect-ratio box when cropping images.
NEW FEATURES
- In the BLOX Assets → Applications panel, there is a new option called "Automations" (at the very bottom). Automations is an extremely powerful tool that allows automatic batch processing based on specific criteria. By default it is only available to Administrators, but other user groups can be given permission by adding the rules for that group in BLOX User Accounts → edit group → choose Editorial / Assets / Modify configuration / Asset automations. (TNCMS-7964)
- When creating a new manual crop on an editorial image view, there will now be the option to choose between a free-form or fixed aspect-ratio box. Fixed aspect crop boxes will be resizable, but will retain their ratios. (TNCMS-7923)
IMPROVEMENTS
- Given that insecure sites are no longer supported, we have removed the "Redirect to HTTP" option from the BLOX site settings panel. Sites that previously had this enabled will automatically be switched to the "Do nothing" option. The "Do nothing" option means that if a customer accesses the site through an insecure URL, they will not be redirected to a secure URL. TownNews highly recommends that all sites implement the "Redirect to HTTPS" option for increased security and improved browser performance. (TNCMS-8117)
- The cache time for media library images is now 24 hours. (TNCMS-8212)
- Link assets created by the "Import as link assets" option in BLOX Syndication will now point to the asset's original source site URL value rather than origin site's canonical URL. (TNCMS-8128)
- Browsers that do not support ECMAScript 6 (such as Internet Explorer 11) are no longer supported for the BLOX CMS admin. For the past several months we've been showing an error message on the BLOX login page for those attempting to log in with IE 11. After this release, their login will be prevented rather than showing an error message. (TNCMS-8096)
- Changing an account's screen name will now push a webhook notification through it the same way changes to email or first/last name already do. No other values will trigger a notification. This will trigger on updating the account through the admin, or by a user updating info through the frontend.
BUG FIXES
- Due to an edge case, the OpenCalais semantic analysis ("Suggest") tool would sometimes throw an error when being used on the BLOX Total CMS appliance. This has been fixed. (TNCMS-8180)
- There was an edge case where sometimes a user was sent two emails for a "Followed notification." This has been fixed. (TNCMS-8132)
- BLOX Notifier messages were not being properly deleted when the delete button was clicked on BLOX Total CMS appliances. This has been fixed. (TNCMS-7675)
FOR TEMPLATE DEVELOPERS
- In the settings for the Templates application there is an accordion for "Package Updates." This will no longer allow a Zen site as an option. (TNCMS-8124)
- "Modern" template customization behavior is now enforced on system template packages. (TNCMS-8112)
- The template package dependency drop-down selector UI in the BLOX Templates editor has been removed and the system will now allow developers to type in package names directly. (TNCMS-7755)
