Zen Cart v1.5.0 BETA release now available

[DrByte]

We are pleased to announce that the Zen Cart v1.5.0 BETA is ready for poking and prodding. We do expect it that it may have some bugs ... that's why it's a BETA.

As with any BETA software, DO NOT USE ON LIVE SITES!!!

Why BETA?
This BETA release has a two-fold purpose:
- identify any major bugs which can be fixed before final release
- allow add-on authors a head-start to update their add-ons for compatibility

It is also intended to bridge some time between PA-DSS certification submission and completion of final certification steps.

How Long Is The BETA Period?
The BETA period will last until the development team deems that major bugs are identified and handled and/or the PA-DSS certification process is complete. This might mean a few weeks, or many weeks.

Support
We will evaluate *real* bugs and provide support for those issues as appropriate.
We will also provide support for features added in this release; however, please read the supplied documentation since most questions will already be answered there.
We WILL NOT provide support for problems you encounter on your LIVE site using BETA software. Any problems, even emergencies, which you encounter while using BETA software on a LIVE website are your own responsibility. DO NOT USE BETA SOFTWARE ON LIVE SITES!

Reporting Bugs
REAL bugs specific to v1.5.0-BETA should be posted as New Threads to the Bug Reports ( http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=140 ) section of the forum. Please check existing posts first, and don't post duplicates. If your issue is identical to an existing real bug, reply to that post with any additional information you can add. "Me too" posts with no additional information are not so useful. Please post as much DETAIL as possible so we can properly evaluate each report.

Discussion About Listed Changes in v1.5.0-BETA
A number of features were changed in v1.5.0-BETA. Many of them related to enhancing security and admin access controls. The list of these changes is posted below.
A forum section http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=156 has been opened for discussion about changes found in the changelog for v1.5.0-BETA. This is NOT a place to request new features! (There's a Features Wish List area of the forum for that.) PLEASE READ THE EXISTING DISCUSSIONS BEFORE POSTING. Duplicates and "me too" posts make it hard for both you and others to sort through the information.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Zen Cart v1.5.0BETA requires the following minimum server configuration:
- PHP 5.2.14
- MySQL 4.1.3
- Apache 2.0
- Apache configured with AllowOverride set to either 'All' or at least both 'Limit' and 'Indexes' parameters, and preferably the 'Options' parameter as well.
- PHP configured to support CURL with OpenSSL

Documentation
The Zen Cart Implementation Guide can be found in the /docs/ folder. This manual contains instructions on installing and securing your site in a manner consistent with PCI requirements. It also contains references to other documentation already found in FAQ/wiki articles where appropriate. IT IS IMPORTANT that you follow the recommendations in this guide as part of your own PCI compliance process. (Remember: DO NOT INSTALL BETA SOFTWARE ON A LIVE SITE!)

Documentation on the new admin access controls can be found in section 8.3 and 8.4 of the Implementation Guide.

Documentation on the Admin Password changes required by PA-DSS can be found in section 8.2 of the Implementation Guide.

Documentation on coding changes required in admin modules can be found here: http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p...velopers-notes

List of new features can be found in the /docs/whatsnew_1.5.0.html file in the v1.5.0-BETA zip file. The issue-changelog is also posted below.

PCI/PA-DSS Certification Steps For A Store Owner
This Zen Cart code has been submitted for PA-DSS certification.
THIS IS A BETA RELEASE, SO SHOULD NOT BE USED ON A LIVE STORE, AND IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO USE THIS SOFTWARE VERSION FOR YOUR PCI CERTIFICATION.
Once certification is completed, appropriate documentation will be posted to explain what part the Zen Cart certification plays in your own PCI Compliance process, including what boxes to check on your self-assessment questionnaire, etc.

How Do I Get It?
The v1.5.0-BETA zip can be found here: Updated to fix:
- admin/installer password rules to now accept symbols
- admin login timeout more friendly, remembering where you were when expired
- numerous admin pages updated to fix a form generation issue --- MANY CORE FILES ALTERED HERE!
- misspelling of Zurich which appears to have survived many years without detection
- add text to explain admin user password requirements in installer and admin reset page

UPDATED zip: zc-v1.5.0BETA-08022011.zip
MD5: 9296B096A390298990CBB865AE0925A4
SHA1: E62E95D5B143065190400B3199A987E5B105FC6E
Use the MD5 or SHA1 checksum shown to verify file integrity: https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=405

NOTE: THE LATEST ZIP CAN BE FOUND IN THE LAST POST IN THIS THREAD ... which may be on the next "page" of posts ...