Joomla Extensions , Joomla Components

The Factory launched a new module, with allot of configurable options for eCommerce people active around the world of eBay. It's called "eBay Factory Module" and it's a native Joomla 1.5.x plugin. eBay Factory Module comes as a help for the targeted sites which are running a specified bussiness. This way the administrator can set up certain search-keywords in order to display in a module only certain eBay.com auctions for his visitors. The search can be limited by entering multiple keywords and if the area of interest is bigger then the administrator can publish another module with a different keyword since multiple instances are supported. The input of multiple keywords can be done with space between the words or just a "+". From the backend the auctions can be ordered by "newly listed" and "endiing soon". Also the number of auctions, title lenght, show/hide images and date format can be configured. The display can be configured through CSS in order to match any existing template and there is also a cache option.

We saved the best part at last: It's FREE . We want to continue our contribution to the Joomla Community started with the "rss Factory" and followed by multiple other modules like the "Exchange Rates Factory", "Top Movie Factory", "RSS Context"  or " VM Tree Factory".

The Factory anounces the brand new Auction Factory 1.4. The incredible new versions brings ultimative features that completes the auction platform, fulfilling all the requirements for a professional corporate system.

The new version is build already on the high developed 1.0.3 version but it's extending the features far beyond.

First of all one of the major features is Templating adding a Smarty-engine to obtain a very easy modifiable layout. With this display features the Auction Suite can be easily integrated in a certain template or corporate design.

After Templating another very important web feature is the ability to generate RSS Feeds from the:

• Latest Auctions
• Categories present on the platform
• User Filter.

and the ability to set Tags (Blog Style) for each Auction which can be also used as filters. The system has now also support for a Unique Auction Number, a searchable UAN and SEF implemented.

User Groups ACL are implemented. The groups of Sellers and Bidders which have access to the platform can be generated from the:

• Native Joomla Groups or
• CB Community Builder Custom Fields.

To bring also real-time flavour the auction platform there is now a Minutes Countdown. This option can be enabled or disabled from the admin in the back-end of the component and brings itself two settings of the Cron: minute/daily.

Since there was allot of feedback from different site administrators a certain level of productivity was required except the subscriptions mode. Studying this issue the platform has now a integrated Payment Method which brings support for PayPal payments. This option is integrated into the system after the bidding process ends and can also be used to pay for Featured Auctions. Surely the administrator has an overview on the payment list and in order to cover a large area of payment processors, more payment modules will follow.

Powerseller and Verified User are also a new addition to the Auction Factory platform. They can be set by the admin together with other important admin options like:

• Delete - Purge Auctions
• Allow / Disable Messages between Bidder/Seller
• Editing Categories of each auction
• Setting Featured auctions

The Featured Auctions are payable with PayPal and they are three types:

• Gold (this auctions will be available on the top of the list)
• Silver (for example a highlighted background)
• Bronze (as Silver can be setted different, for example they are presented with bold)

The Rating System is now also displayable in the Template and has separated counting for the Auctioneer, for the Bidder and also avarage value. Regarding the usage the system has also further improvements like:

• a new Menu Item = My Won Bids
• Search by Location; the informations are taken from the User fields and they can be also displayed in the list of auctions due to the Template adding.
• a confirmation window on the BIN button
• new notification to the user when he was outbidded
• new notification to the auctioneer when an auction ends and they are no winners
• new icons in the list of auctions by editing the template
• module option to display an image before the auction.

Regarding the CB plugins the most important new addition is the Task Pad tab, where all the important Auctions tasks are present. Other additions are the new My Won Bids tab and the notifying when outbidded function on the My Bid tab.

Here we described just the important new features of the auction framework. Other tweaks are also implemented in the new version of Auction Factory 1.4 one of the most complete e-commerce platform available.

Since we just added all the latest features to Article Factory Manager 1.3 just for our customers to have complete benefits, it was now time to just redevelope the component with the existing features to be a native Joomla 1.5.x component. So the new available version is Article Factory Manager 1.5 and brings compatibility with the latest Joomla Version.

Maintaining the pace we are offerring now also our VM Virtuemart Tree Factory Module for Joomla 1.5. This unique add-on for VirtueMart is absolutely free!

Also we would like to introduce to the new changes regarding the ECB Exchange Rates Factory Module. The latest version of Exchange Rates ECB 2.1 uses a new JavaScript model. This means that when the page loads the list is locked and the text "Click to choose new currency" appears.

If the user clicks in the list the text "Click to lock the currencylist" appears and the list will update so the currency where the mouse is placed will be the new refernce currency and alsothe progosis values are updated. If the user moves the mousepointer the list updates and changes the reference currency to the one where the mousepointer is placed and again all prognosis values are updated. If the user clicks again the first text appears. In this mode will the user be able to drag the mousepointer over the prognosis symbols (up-, down- or an arrow to the side) to see the currencyvalue from the cache for that day.

Our Joomla Lava Factory Menu was newly integrated into several templates developed by www.CREAJoomla.com

Here a screenshot from the CJ Slidy Mars 2 Template:

The Factory just released a brand new product for the Joomla world which also bring diversify to the RSS Factory Suite which include at this moment the top viewer RSS Factory and RSS Context Factory. The new product is called rss to image Factory and displays images taken from RSS feeds. The module is compatible with rss Factory 1.5.x.

The module is able to display only the feeds containing images or all the feeds. The orientation can be set up vertical or horizontal and there is a minimal required size for search and display images in order not to display images like spacer 1x1 px.

rss to image Factory is also capable of image resizing. The image caption can be choosen from "alt" or "title" attributes or disabled and in case of missing caption the text can be predefined by the admin (ex. "No caption"). Regarding the caption there is an option to set up the lenght (first x characters) and the position (up or above the image). Here the complete list of features at this moment:

• display images taken from RSS Feeds
• takes images from the cache of rss Factory 1.5.x
• is able to display only the feeds containing images or all the feeds
• orientation can be set up vertical or horizontal
• search and display images with a required size (in order not to display images like spacer 1x1 px)
• image resizing
• image caption can be choosen from "alt" or "title" attributes or disabled
• in case of missing caption the text can be predefined by the admin (ex. "No caption")
• set up lenght of caption (first x characters)
• caption can be displayed up or above the image

There is also an ETA for the next RSS Context Factory Module - next week! The new version will bring also compatibility to the Joomla 1.5.x and will fit perfect into the RSS Factory Suite.

We released last month a couple of updates just in order to incorporate a couple of new functions on the Joomla 1.0.x version. We wanted to offer existing customers features that are already planned for the Joomla 1.5.x version. Soon we will release also a new product for the new Joomla platform. Here the last changes on the Joomla 1.0.x version:

article Factory Manager 1.3.0 released on April 14, 2008.

• Restricted groups; groups can be restricted not to publish in selecteted sections, categories.
• fixed issue regarding frontpage checkbox (checked/unchecked) in conformity with the article state (published, unpublished, ...) and the article 's front page publishing state
• fixed issue regarding the counting of the number of links on article submission
• Save as draft - custom message
• fixed issue regarding the pathway in frontend when doing a selction on my article
• fixed issue regarding the display of options when approving articles
  

article Factory Manager 1.2.0 released on April 1, 2008.

• Scheduled articles; posters can choose the date when articles should be published.
  
• added German Language file

article Factory Manager 1.1.2 released on March 26, 2008.

• fixed an issue where the config value _ART_SET_publish_on_frontpage is ignored in saving a new article in fronend

article Factory Manager 1.1.1 released on March 24, 2008.

• fixed Layout, bigger size main text in article edit
• fixed JS Validation on save draft task
• fixed Reject from articles list
• fixed metakey and metadescription values are now visible

Licenses. All commercial Extensions (components, modules, plugins) or Custom Work that we are offering are coming with a single Site License. This means that the buyer is entitled to install and use it only on a single site. Due to the new regulations, all commercial products like extensions, components, modules and plugins are sold under the custom work regulations. If you want to acquire another license for another site, just please fill, when you order, the customer note with the www-address of the new site. For packages of min. 10 licenses per product, please contact us and we will send you an offer.

Distributing Updates. After acquiring one product, the customer will receive upon request the next minor version releases for free, till the next major version will be out. In case that after acquiring the product, a major version will be released or no other (minor or major), the initial product is sold as presented with no further bonds.

Minor updates are for example from version 1.0.0 to version 1.0.1 or 1.0.4 or 1.0.7. Major versions are from 1.0.0 or 1.0.7 to 1.1.0. If you read this and you are entitled to an update please send us an update request as described below.Please note that if any updates will be released, they will come as they are and only in special cases an upgrade script will be released. In cases of abuse the license will be revoked immediately!

After the Update Request form is filled the data will be manually verified and a new download link will be issued. This will be automatically sent to the email address from the initial order. In case your email changed, do not forget also to update your Factory Profile information since without it, you wont be able to receive the new download link! In order to avoid some download issues, any present download-manager should be disabled (in some cases also the antivirus software which may corrupt the file due to the PHP code).

Please check the Articles of each new release and also the forum since there we stipulate if the upgrade will be for FREE even if it's a major release! Please also follow up the forum, since announcements regarding goodies or upgrade prices will be published there, if not - send us a request with the specified data above and we will get back to you.

Customized Versions are being built on existing versions and are NOT the subject of any update. Non-commercial products are also distributed as presented and are also not the subject of updates.

Paid Upgrades. If the above do not match and you want to upgrade, please contact us providing the initial purchase details and depending on the time and development costs we will send you a quote for the upgrade price. Please do not contact us before an official release of the product since we will not be able to give you any information!

Offers. Please provide us with all the project description in order to get an accurate quote. Without the details the quote may vary allot. We require all the relevant information in order to avoid any complications. The quotes included in our offers for custom work are valid for 24 hours (if there is no other stipulation) because of the constant price-offer optimization and being based an the attached description. Time frames are approximate, since they may vary due to the clients feedback. After receiving a quote and accepting it, please respond and we will send you the payment details. If you decide f. eg. after two weeks to accept it, then please ask again it the quote is still valid. After the payment enters into our bank account we will start the custom work. For further information please also check our Terms & Conditions. Do not hesitate to contact us.

Refunds. Please read very carefully the product description and requirements. Also check the demo, if available, since we have a no-refund policy in order to avoid any fraud attempt.

Ticket System. 

• Fill out one of the contact forms available under Contact Us. In case of Customer Support, please limit to a single Ticket, since this will speed up the reply.
  
• Please provide a valid email address in order to receive the answer. If you are already a customer, then please provide us also with your name and order number. Address the ticket exclusively to our support address, CC or BCC should be left empty! Sending it to several addresses at once, the mail will not enter the ticket system and it will be disregarded! AUTO-responders should be disabled on the email address you provided, else the tickets will be deleted!
• After this a confirmation email will be received that the form has entered successfully the Ticket System. Please wait until we are gonna be able to provide an answer. We are trying to write back as soon as possible but this depends also on the issue, workload or other factors.
• A member of our staff will reply to the ticket providing the requested information. Please note that our answers are included in the emails and login into the ticket system is not necessary.
• If you have further issues then just reply back without changing the email subject, so the system would be able to recognize it as a followup to your ticket or enter in our system with your ID. After 24 hours of non-activity from the customer or just after providing a solution, the ticket will be closed. Do not replay to tickets older then seven days since they wont be taken under consideration; we need the exact version data and configuration for debugging.
• Always Back-up your site! Especially in cases you are asked to provide site admin credentials for debugging, always back-up before, since we are not reliable for any data loss of any kind.

Forum. Support does not include questions regarding the code, how to customize it or further development plans. If the time will allow we may answer it on the forum but if there is no answer do not repost it, since this will be seen as pertinent behavior on the forum and it may lead to canceling your membership (in some cases without any previous note). In order to avoid this, please do not use improper language, insults, or have a pertinent behavior regarding some issues like repetitive questions regarding: development plans, code explaining, code development, company policies and prices). We hope that members will understand and see it positive, as it is meant to increase productivity and to maintain the same level of quality provided at a very reasonable price.

Further development and Browser Compatibility. Most of our product, if not perhaps all, will be in  further development and will offer compatibility to the latest platforms. Surely, this is a process which also takes time, because sometimes the changes are immense and our goal is to offer always professional solutions. Therefore, the new added features will be available only for the latest platform. Issues will be also fixed only on the latest version of our products. Browser compatibility is offered in order to cover up the most popular Internet Explorer (minimum ver. 7) and Mozilla Firefox.

About ETA's. We will make ETA's public at a certain time. If no ETA are announced for the product you are interested in, then please don't ask for further details, since it means that at this point due to company policies we cannot reveal it. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Timezones. We would like to remind you that we are answering to your questions (Ticket-System) as soon as possible. Please have in mind the different timezones (GMT+2) and working hours.

Thank you for your interest and time!