EasySocial 3.0 Progress Updates
It only has been about two weeks since we released PayPlans 4.0 and while the team was working on PayPlans 4.0, works for EasySocial 3.0 was already underway. With EasySocial 3.0, we realize that we should take a new approach for EasySocial when it comes to better user experiences.
Our focus for EasySocial 3.0 is focused on simplicity, clean cut and will provide better overall user experiences to generate more interactions between your users.
Redesigned Story Form
The story form plays one of the important roles in EasySocial, as this would be the point where users would interact with the site. In order to create a rich and friendly user experience on the story form, we went back to the sketching board and came up with a brand new user experience for posting status updates.
Apart from the aesthetics aspect, it also has been carefully crafted to improvise on the user experience while using the story form. Here are some of the behavior of the brand new story form.
Looks amazing right? Let us know your thoughts on the brand new story form in the comments section below.
Curated Activity Stream Filters
Another key component in EasySocial would be the activity stream. With EasySocial 3.0, we decided to take a step further by allowing users to curate activity streams that would interest them, instead of having to view a specific set of activities.
With the newly curated activity stream filters, users can now filter activity streams by post types, and its not only restricted to a single post type, but it could now select one or more combination of post types on top of the existing activity stream filters.
Custom Backgrounds
This is probably one of the most anticipated feature as we received a ton of requests! It was initially introduced in Komento 3.1 and it now moves its way into EasySocial 3.0 as well! With the roll out of custom backgrounds in EasySocial 3.0, you can now create your own list of preset background selections :)
Share Buttons
Have you always wanted to have your own share button on other external sites? With EasySocial 3.0, we have introduced a brand new Share Button API that allows you to embed codes generated from EasySocial and embed it on any websites that you want. That's right! Any websites, as long as it is served by a web browser.
The idea behind the Share Button is to allow users to embed these buttons on their own sites. With that, they will be rewarded with points for every embedded code shared on their own sites. What a great way to mass market your site without spending a fortune!
In-stream Advertisements
One of the other key aspects about building your own community has always been ensuring it would be sustainable. With EasySocial 3.0, we will be introducing the all new In-stream Advertisements, where you can easily create advertisements right on the activity stream. This will be a great way to monetize and to ensure that the site you built to be more sustainable, which at the end of the day benefits you and the community on the long run.
Emoji Browser
Ever since the first release of EasySocial, there has always been an emoji converter where it would convert a specific set of text and converts them into emoji. I bet most of you did not realize until we responded to you on our helpdesk. It is truly a hidden gem on the site.
With EasySocial 3.0, we have now added an emoji browser by simply invoking the `:` character and then would automatically suggests the available list of emoji.
Brand New Modules for Activity Stream
With the whole Redesigned Story Forms, Curated Activity Stream Filters, and a Redesigned Dashboard, we will also be introducing two new modules that will work hand in hand with the all new Curated Activity Stream Filters. These modules can be placed anywhere on your site, and it would then allow users to filter currently viewed activities based on these filters set. On top of that, this allows you to have a more flexible workspace as well.
Overall Improvements on User Experiences
One of the biggest dilemma we have with all of our product development in every major release causes us to add certain features or enhancing its existing features, which is not entirely bad per say. However, this usually resulted our products being over complicated with every release.
EasySocial 2.0 was the new starting point of us simplifying and centralizing our codes and design, however EasySocial 3.0 takes it a step further. Meeting all the needs and wants in a rather harmonious way possible.
Joomla 4 Compatibility
Ever since the implementation of GDPR kick-started in 29th May 2018, Joomla announced that Joomla 3.9 will address GDPR related update in light of EU requirements. Currently, Joomla 3.9 Beta 2 is available for extension developers like us to work with. It's looking that Joomla 3.9 stable might be available somewhere around October 2018. For this simple reason, Joomla 3.9 and Joomla 4 compatibility are definite for EasySocial 3.0 as well as the rest of our extensions in the same matter.
Rest assured that these updates doesn't water down the current functionality or usability. In fact, you might be surprised that it enhances the overall experience for EasySocial 3.0.
And Finally
I would like to express our gratitude for all the input that we received from you, and that we truly appreciate your feedbacks! That's all from me for now, but this isn't over yet as I have a whole list of other improvements and updates coming up on our next post :)
Have a great & awesome weekend everyone! Let me know your thoughts below.