remository

- the home of the great file repository! Also the home of the Glossary component and the Remosef URI transformer.

Still running a site with Joomla 1.0 or Mambo?

Maybe you don't want to tackle the steep upgrade path for all sites that are still working well. But you may be worried about falling behind, or about lack of support. Now there is a solution. The Aliro Project has created drop in replacements - J-One-Plus and Maliro. Both can run in modern hosting including PHP 5.3.x and will be supported for the forseeable future with bug fixes and possible enhancements.

Running Remository in Joomla 1.6

Remository 3.53.10 should basically work in Joomla 1.6, although a correction is required in the Joomla code. It has to go into ../administrator/components/com_menus/models/fields/menutype.php around line 254. The corrected version reads:

// Following line is a bug.  Line after it is MNB fix.
// $o->request          = array('option' => $component);
$o->request             = array('option' => $component, 'view' => 'default');

and replaces a single line in the published Joomla code. Hopefully the code above makes it clear what is the before and after.

Security Vulnerability in Remository

Two Remository security vulnerabilities were reported today - one posted from a known hacker, the other from a reputable source. We take any vulnerability reports seriously - regardless of orgin - and immediately perform checks to ensure that our code is secure.

The result: while the hacker claim of SQL vulnerability is unfounded, the Secunia claim is genuine. In short, the exploit is limited to those who support the public upload of thumbnail images.

There is a new release of Remository, version 3.53.7 which fixes the problem. Please upgrade as soon as possible. If you want to patch your existing version, please raise a support ticket or ask in the forum.

A way to quickly block the problem if you need time to think about implementing the upgrade is to add a .htaccess file in ../com_remository_files containing the following line:

deny from all

If you do that, no thumbnail images will be displayed, but your site will be secure. You should also check that there is nothing in the directories below ../com_remository_files that does not have an image extension.

Apologies for the problem, every effort has been made to provide a fix, and support will be provided so far as possible to help resolve the problem.

Latest Glossary Release - updated 13 September 2010

You can now download Glossary 2.7 that adds a number of major features relative to version 2.6. The file is now in the download area - please read the description carefully. The latest minor release enhances the UI and should resolve compatibility issues with other software, as well as dealing with an IE7 issue.

Remository 3.53 Released

A new version of Remository is now available - 3.53. Minor releases will have an extra number added to the end.

Premium Support Service

Many sites rely on Remository and Glossary, and we are now pleased to offer a premium support service for our products. We have kept Remository and Glossary totally open source and free to use, unlike many others who offer advanced features only in a "Pro" version. Unlike them, we provide you with sophisticated technology at no cost.

But it is not possible to also provide a high level of support free of charge. For that reason, we have introduced Premium Support for people who use Remository and/or Glossary and need support they can rely on. The services offered are:

• Advice on initial implementation and configuration
• Access to an exclusive forum, available only to Premium Support subscribers
• Enhancement requests from Premium Support subscribers will have priority
• Priority handling of support tickets

Please go to the support page for more information.

New - Support Ticket System

You can now raise support tickets for Remository or Glossary. To get to the ticket system, follow the main menu link to "Support" or go directly. If you have a problem with Remository or Glossary that is holding you up, and you have not been able to find the answer in the FAQs or forum, raise a support ticket. Please note that Premium Support subscribers will receive priority handling for their tickets.

Alternative Remository icon set

A Remository user has posted an alternative icon set in the forum, with a download link. For more information look at this posting .

CMS framework development - Second Edition

If you're interested in PHP 5 development, especially as it applies to the creation of a CMS framework, take a look at the second edition of my book. The examples are taken from the Aliro CMS, developed by me and now released in beta, but the techniques are applicable to building any PHP framework for use on the web, and to some extent to any kind of PHP development. Click on the image of the book to go to the publisher's site to see more information and purchase options.

Problems installing into Joomla 1.5.x

Some people are having difficulty installing Remository into Joomla 1.5.x and receive the message "Error - could not find an XML setup file in the package". The error is an unhelpful generic message and really means that Joomla is not having success unpacking the archive. It appears that the reason for this is use by Joomla of very recent additions to PHP for archive handling, and these appear to be less than totally reliable. The problems are erratic and not easily linked with a particular software configuration. You can find out more about weaknesses in the Joomla installer by following the menu link to the PHP-Ace "Blog".

Name clash on "downloads"

The default directory for the Remository file repository is called downloads. But if you create a system that uses SEF to have a file repository URI like http://mydomain.com/downloads this will not work because the CMS sees this as the real directory and not as a SEF'd CMS URI. The solutions are: either avoid using the exact name "downloads" at the start of a SEF URI, or put the files somewhere else and change the default location in the Remsitory configuration and any containers that have an absolute path specified. Make sure any new directories exist before changing absolute paths.

Remository on Joomla! version 1.5+

As one of the first major components to be published in a version capable of running as native Joomla 1.5, Remository is leading the field. But that doesn't mean that people using other systems are being left behind. In fact, code has been developed so that the major components hosted here are able to run on any of the supported platforms.

Versions that will run on Joomla 1.0.x are in the "Other CMS" download section. Extensions are the same for MiaCMS, Mambo 4.6.x and Joomla 1.0.x. The packaging has to be different for Joomla 1.5, so there is a special "Joomla" section to cater for software built to work there.