RocketTheme Version 2.0 - Part 1

RocketTheme Version 2.0 - Part 1

Written by Andy Miller Tuesday, 04 November 2008 02:00

Team

We are working hard to get RocketTheme Version 2.0 (RTv2) launched as soon as possible. This is a very large step for RocketTheme as it involves radically changing the underlying hardware and architecture that powers are community. Currently RocketTheme runs on Joomla 1.0 with a mix of components, plugins, bridges, forums etc.

This has worked pretty well for us for the past few years, but we've outgrown the limitations this imposes and we want to be able to expand and offer new exciting features. Currently adding a new feature is a very problematic endeavor due to the hard-coded nature of many of the current club elements.

Our new Version 2.0 of the site is radically different. It's built on the latest Joomla 1.5. There are no hacks or changes to the internal core of Joomla, everything that the site uses is based on regular joomla extensions and an extensive set of plugins. These plugins utilize the Joomla 1.5 framework to trigger on certain events so we can achieve very tight coupling and integration between extensions and components without resorting to hacking anything. RTv2 relies on RokDownloads, RokClub, RokBridge phpBB3 Edition and some of our other RocketWerx extensions like RokBox.

There are quite a few fundamental changes that I wanted to outline in this and also future blog posts to prepare current and future members. Some noticable differences you will see are:

  • New modern design
  • Better SEO and clearer navigation
  • Improved, more comprehensive template details pages
  • Better integration of Tutorials and Labs sections
  • More tutorials and labs content
  • New phpBB3 powered forums
  • Revised pricing to match our current portfolio
  • Cleaner registration process with on-site payment support Credit Cards and Paypal
  • Easier renewals, cross-club discounted upgrades
  • New "Entitlements" functionality which we'll explain in future posts
  • More club term options
  • Ability to view your signup and transaction history
  • and much much more...

We will be covering some of these items in more depth in upcoming blog posts, so stay tuned!