The OpenLab recently graduated to version 1.4! Here’s an update on some of our new features. Let us know what you think, either in the comments or by contacting us directly.
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Privacy Notification Changes
You’ll notice that we’ve made some changes to how privacy works. Actually, privacy changes themselves are made in the exact same way, but we’ve made it much much clearer what those settings are, and what is accessible on sites you visit and/or administer. Site and project project settings are now indicated in two ways. First, you can see the setting in the right hand menu:
You’ll see that the notices are split: when the privacy settings for the Profile of your project, club, or course differ from the Site, it’ll be clearly marked. Completely open or private projects, clubs, and courses, will also be clearly marked.
Privacy is also now noted on the profile just below the avatar and description:
We hope these changes clarify the state of your project, club or course, for users and visitors.
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Modifications to Portfolio Settings
If you’ve used our portfolio system before, you’ve probably noticed that there were differences between the way those worked and our the way our courses, projects, and clubs worked. In particular, there were differences in the privacy settings, and we’ve adjusted that: now portfolios have the same grades of privacy as our other projects, including public, private, and hidden options. In addition, we’ve streamlined the way to invite people to visit your portfolio: instead of an access list, you can now invite members, or they can join or request membership just like in other projects, courses and clubs.
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Changes to WordPress
WordPress updated over the break to version 3.8 (we’re already on 3.8.1, but that’s a maintenance release). The changes are mostly cosmetic–you’ll notice that the dashboard looks significantly more “modern” and that widgets are easier to implement (you no longer have to drag them, if you don’t want). You can learn all about it here.
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New Default Theme
We’ve replaced the default OpenLab theme, going from Twenty Ten to Twenty Eleven (Twenty Ten is still there, though, if it’s your favorite!)
As WordPress tells us:
“The 2011 theme for WordPress is sophisticated, lightweight, and adaptable. Make it yours with a custom menu, header image, and background — then go further with available theme options for light or dark color scheme, custom link colors, and three layout choices. Twenty Eleven comes equipped with a Showcase page template that transforms your front page into a showcase to show off your best content, widget support galore (sidebar, three footer areas, and a Showcase page widget area), and a custom “Ephemera” widget to display your Aside, Link, Quote, or Status posts. Included are styles for print and for the admin editor, support for featured images (as custom header images on posts and pages and as large images on featured “sticky” posts), and special styles for six different post formats.”
We hope you like it! And as always, contact us with any questions.
