Open Classifieds 2.5.0

Hello OC-Friends,

We are happy to announce that today we have released version 2.5.0 of Open Classifieds! A new version of Open Classifieds with a big amount of new features and improvements of already existing functionality. We have been working very hard the past couple of months to make this possible and we are grateful that we can finally share the results with you.

However we (of course) think that Open Classifieds is the best open source classifieds software available, we are aware of the fact that digital developments are moving fast and we continuously need to improve our script and add new features to it. We do this with great pleasure as we want to offer our customers the best available software so that you can make the best classifieds website.

Below you will find a list with all the new features that we have released today and that you can start using from now on. We added a short description to every feature to explain what it is, but of course encourage you to try it out yourself! As always you will find instructions on how to install the newest version at the end of this blog post.

So what has been released today? These are the most important improvements and new features:

• Messaging system – Online / Offline Chat
  • With this chat feature users can contact advertisers if they are online and ask their questions directly. We think this will be a great add-on as getting in contact with each other will be easier than ever. Using the chat function, the user will have both the possibility to get in contact by email or chat.
• User panel same look and feel as front-end theme
  • From now on the admin user panel will have the same look and feel as the front-end theme. Did you select the Kamaleon theme, then your user panel will also be displayed using this theme!
• New publish new advertisement. Faster than ever!
  • We have refactored the code for the “publish new advertisement” part. This makes publishing a new ad faster than ever from now on.
• API – Now integrate whatever you want!
  • With this API you will be able to extend the usage of your site, for example with native iOS and Android apps. Do you want to have your own native app and offer your customers a great experience that offers a native look and feel? Contact us for more information and we will have great offer for you! Also see the documentation for more information.
• Coupon system – generate coupons massively or import them. Sponsored development.
  • The newly developed coupon system allows users to generate coupons in bulk. No hassle anymore with creating coupons one by one, but just all at once. Also there will be the possibility to import and export as Excel file.

• PayPal accounts, users would be able to choose a different PayPal account per ad, or on his profile.
  • With OC 2.5.0 users will be able to choose which PayPal account they want to use. Do you have several accounts, for private and for work? Then from now on you can select per ad which account you want to  use. No need anymore to create a new user profile to use a different PayPal account.
• FraudLabs Pro integration
  • For all payment methods different than PayPal, FraudLabs Pro has been implemented. This service runs thorough validations on an order transaction to effectively detect a malicious fraud.
• Improved installer.
  • The improved installer makes it easier than ever to install your Open Classifieds website without any problems.
• Shipping custom field
  • A new customized fields that users can select if they want to specify what the shipping costs for an item are. The shipping price will also be reflected on the “check-out page” as a separate line and will be added to the price of the goods which are bought.
• Mark orders as paid
  • Admin and moderators can mark orders as paid and clients ads will get featured or bumped to front.
• 2checkout integration – register here. Sponsored development.
  • This sponsored development will add a new payment gateway to Open Classifieds. 2Checkout makes it easy to accept payments from anyone, anywhere.  It accepts credit cards, PayPal and debit cards. Besides that it has a great fraud protection.
• User able to change category and location of their ads.
  • With this improvement you will be able to change the category and location of published ads.
• Email notify ad is about to expire.
  • This notification email will warn a user when a published ad is about to expire. In the email there will be a link where the user can reactivate the advertisement for a predetermined amount of time.
• Export tool
  • The export tool matches the same CSV as the import tool.
• Huge code refactor improving many areas of the software.
  • We have been busy refactoring and improving many parts of the software. Goal was to have a better script which is faster, more reliable and  user friendly.
• Many more stuff and bug fixes! read more

We really hope that you are happy with what we have been working on. Find the instruction on how to update your Open Classifieds website below.

The OC-team

How to update?

Please read these instructions carefully. If you can’t update your site we offer the update service for $55 if you have a 2.x, Please before get the update service, contact us.

In this new version the themes API has changed slightly and your custom theme will not work on the publish new page. If we did the custom theme we will be contacting you really soon with instructions.

Since 2.4.0 we are requiring PHP 5.5.x as minimal version. We do this since we need to assure you have a decent updated version of PHP installed at your hosting. So before you update be sure you have 5.5. you can ask your hosting for this.

We can not be responsible for fail updates during the update process and we won’t fix those issues for you. If you are not sure, how to do it, please buy our professional update here.

Website is running on Open Classifieds 2.2.1 or higher:

By following this way you will just need to follow the normal automatic update steps:

• Make a backup of all your files and DB (recommended)
• Log in to your OC admin panel
• go to tools > update and click Update
• If you have a newer version, click on check for updates and then go to http://yoursite.com/oc-panel/update/latest
• If you have premium theme, download it from the market and reupload it from there.
• Done! ;)

Manual update for lower versions and advanced users only:

Please follow the instructions to prevent from getting into any errors.

1. Make a backup of all your files and DB (recommended)
2. Log in at your OC panel
3. Activate the default theme if you had a premium theme
4. Download latest 2.5.0 and extract the files in its folder
5. Enable maintenance mode
6. Open your FTP or your website file manager
7. Delete all files in your website folder except for the following:
   1. robots.txt
   2. /oc/config/auth.php
   3. /oc/config/database.php
   4. .htaccess
   5. /images/
   6. and /themes/ if you had a custom theme.
8. Now upload to your folder all files we extracted earlier except for the files we mentioned in the previous step and the “/install” folder
9. Run in your browser http://yourdomain.com/oc-panel/update/database?from_version=2.0.3 (here put your running version)
10. If you have premium theme, download it from the market and reupload it from there.
11. CONGRATULATIONS !!!! 2.5.0 is Ready!

Please for any problems or questions use our forum for this release or open a support ticket if you have support. You can buy a support package now, and we will update your site to the latest version!

Feel free to give us any feedback or kudos we are happy to hear and help you!

thanks ;)