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fredriktjarnberg
fredriktjarnberg
Dec 19, 2012
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Preview of the New EPiServer 7 CMS Editorial Interface

In this public preview, we will share a glimpse of the changes that are to be implemented in the coming upgrade of the EPiServer 7 CMS editorial interface (Sparrowhawk).

Now you can upgrade the Sparrowhawk as an add-on from the feed in Add-ons Store inside EPiServer, which means that you will be able to install it directly without the need for complex update routines.

Table of Contents

Features in this Preview

The following features for Sparrowhawk are included in this CTP 12 preview:

Improved Language Handling of the Website

Now you can translate blocks and their folders in the same way as for pages with the option Show All Languages for the shared blocks gadget. This option will show blocks and folders for all languages. Not translated blocks have a language code representing the fallback language, and when this is turned off only blocks and folders that are available for the current language will be shown.

The flow of language handling has also been improved with a new option under the view settings.

Upgraded TinyMCE Editor

Sparrowhawk has been upgraded to the latest version of TinyMCE (3.5.8) to get the latest features such as HTML 5 support and non-content editable areas. Custom code in the personalized and dynamic content plug-ins will eventually be removed and replaced by the built-in features instead. HTML 5 media with the brand new video streaming will be supported.

Upgrading to Dojo 1.8

Upgrade to Dojo 1.8 is required. Note the following project changes (breaking change) after the upgrade:

Package Name Changes

Dojo 1.8 has changed to more strictly enforce the RequireJS guidelines for package implementation. This has resulted in EPiServer needing to rename the CMS package to follow the standards. As of EPiServer 7.1 references to JavaScript modules in the CMS package should change from:

epi/cms/component/PageTree

to:

epi-cms/component/PageTree

The framework package remains unchanged.

Any code that references JavaScript modules in CMS should be updated to use the new package name.

Aliases

If it is not possible to modify existing code, then it is possible to configure aliases from the old module path to the new module path in the module.config file. For example:

<dojo>
  <aliases>
    <add from="epi/cms/form/SearchTextBox" to="epi-cms/form/SearchTextBox" />
  </aliases>
</dojo>

Installing Sparrowhawk CTP 12 

Install the Sparrowhawk CTP 12 update as follows:

  1. Backup your site and VPP folder. The CTP is work in progress and does not have the same amount of testing and you might want to be able to roll back you update after testing.
  2. Configure the add-on system to be able to locate the CTP update by changing the <episerver.packaging> section in web.config as follows:

    <episerver.packaging ... >
        <packageRepositories>
          <add name="CTPAddOns"
               url="https://addonsctp.episerver.com/feed/"
               requestApiKey="true"
               sendLicense="true"
               filterTag="EPiServerAddon" />
        </packageRepositories>
    </episerver.packaging>

  3. Log in to EPiServer, select Add-ons in the global menu > Updates.
  4. You should be able to see the following new updates:
    • Edit UI
    • UI Platform
    • Add-on UI
    • Add-on Platform
  5. Select Update on the Edit UI add-on to install all available updates in correct order (because of their internal dependency configuration).
  6. When the installation is finished, you will be requested to restart the site. When you are done, Sparrowhawk CTP 12 is installed on the site.

Known Issues

Make sure that that the application pool user of the target site has read, modify, and create permissions in the site folder and in the site VPP folder or your update will fail.

Dec 19, 2012