b2evolution 2.0.2-alpha "Millenium Park" has been released.

Download Here

The reason we still call this an alpha release is because the skin API 2.0 is not final yet. So if you don't mind tweaking skins a little when the stable release comes out, feel safe to go 2.0 without further ado ;)

Changes in this release include:

• Strengthened upgrade - tested on version 0.9 to 2.0
• Advanced SEO configuration
• Skin improvements
• User interface improvements
• Additional skins
• Hari's WordPress importer
• Bug fixes
• ...and more ;)

Johan Jobe has put together a 60 page User Manual in Dutch explaining how to install and user b2evolution 1.10.

Download here.

If you ever visit Chicago, chances are you're going to stop at Navy Pier... ;)

Here's 2.0 "Chicago" enhanced: Download 2.0.1 "Navy Pier"!

Basically, there's been no major show stopper bug in 2.0.0 but we have fixed a lot of little annoying things. If you're happy with 2.0.0, no urge to upgrade. But no real reason to hold back either ;)

• Fixed Movable Type importer.
• Display/CSS improvements.
• i18n preparation (fr & de included).
• Skin tag update: Item::feedback_link() now uses array params.
• Plenty of little fixes. Plenty!

Wow! b2evolution 2.0 has just released, and it's alpha and everything... yet Globat is already offering it as a 1-click install feature in their hosting packages.

Very nice! B)

If you're looking for a new host, you might want to check them out! ;)

(They offer both 1.10.2 and 2.0)

Ladies & Gentlemen,

The wait is over!

EdB has commanded an immediate release. Here it is! ;)

Feel free to download it now and give it a test drive. A lot has changed!!!

In case you've not been following along lately, here are a few posts detailing some of the new features:

• New admin interface
• Enhanced configuration options
• Skins 2.0
• User permissions 2.0
• And there's more... much more! Look at the changelog in the download! ;)

ALPHA software

This version is functional enough for us to run it on production on at least a dozen sites. However it has not been extensively tested in all different scenarios. You may run into obscure bugs and you're kindly invited to report them.

You should also be advised that the skinning API in this release is not final. That is the main reason why we call it an ALPHA release. So if you really don't like updating skins, you might want to wait a little. But if you like being on the edge, you definitely wanna check this out! (skin upgrade details here).

Other than that, let us know what you think!

At this stage we cannot add new features before issuing a stable release. We can however polish what we have in order to make it as user/blogger friendly as possible. Your feedback is welcome.

PS: Translators may wish to start localizing...

b2evolution 2.0 comes with a brand new backoffice design a.k.a admin skin, named "Chicago":

Though not completely polished yet, we hope it reflects how much effort we're putting into the new b2evolution 2.0.

Of course, if you're nostalgic (or if your IE chokes on CSS), you can still use the legacy or the evo admin skins.

By the way, you can now switch admin skins easily from the "evobar" at the top of the screen. In case you wonder: yes that bar is also displayed on top of the public blog page... if you're logged in!

Other than that, you can see on the screenshot that the backoffice now comes with a "dashboard" which gives you fast and easy access to the items you need the most like the comments awaiting moderation (with one click buttons) as well as your recent draft posts (am I the only one repeatedly forgetting to publish my drafts? ;))

b2evolution 2.0.0-alpha will be out in a few days now.