I expect the mechanism for doing this has been moved, but can you assure us that use of external template text files will still be supported in EE 2?

Not only supported but greatly improved.  Read about it on EE Insider

Nice to see this feature get some love and attention!
previous work flow was far from perfect.

will it continue to support .php extensions as well?

klausmehnke - 19 November 2009 01:41 AM

Fairly special case here, I presume:

Over the past weeks I have built a portfolio site for my own design business using EE Core. I tested Drupal, Joomla, ModX, WordPress, and EE Core could do all the things I needed and a lot easier at that. I knew I would eventually need a commercial license but I kept building the site with EE Core. The site is not live, yet.

With the new 2.0 pricing scheme it seems to me that I could qualify for the Freelancer license. Assuming that I do, can I purchase the license on December 1st and then simply flick the switch to make my EE Core (1.6.8) site public instantly while taking all the time in the world to convert it to EE2 later on?

All the best.

Yes.

timj - 19 November 2009 06:52 AM

I heerd a rumor (at the EE Roadshow, no less) that EE 2.0 will take a stab at a full-on events calendar.  Can this rumor be confirmed?

No “full-on events calendar” in EE 2.0.

elwed - 19 November 2009 04:47 PM

Derek Jones - 19 November 2009 04:24 PM

Access to that particular download will cease.  When you choose to upgrade, you will have access to the new download for that licensed product for an additional year.

To be absolutely clear about this: Does the license to use the last paid version terminate as well? Or does it remain perpetual as it is right now?

Edited for clarity

It remains perpetual as it is right now. We’re referring strictly to download access, not renewing a license or anything like that.

Once you make the license purchase you are free to use the version of EE you purchased forever. You have download access to the version purchased for 1 year. If you pay for an upgrade, the year resets, starting a new year of download access for the version you upgraded to.

I enjoy EE very much, but personally, I hope very much that I will not have to use EE forever and am rather counting on that .

russlipton - 19 November 2009 09:28 PM

I enjoy EE very much, but personally, I hope very much that I will not have to use EE forever and am rather counting on that .

At some point in the future Google with merge with Starbucks and consume us all into a caffeinated, hyper connected state allowing Skynet to launch a devastating attack on humanity, at which point your use of EE will be a moot point. Until then, you’re good.

My guess on the core version is that many considered it a staple in the offerings and didn’t feel the need to voice any concern. The downloads of the core version were probably staggering in numbers, unless I’m wrong?
I kind of get the feeling too, that it is necessary to focus on the professional version of the product at this time, especially. Building the bigger-badder-better robot kit as it were.
A trial version of some sort will be much appreciated.

Leslie Camacho - 18 November 2009 10:28 PM

serafico - 18 November 2009 10:14 PM

It’s a sad news. What about all the non-profit websites made by hobbyists who don’t need all the features of the full version and don’t want to pay for it simply because they don’t run any kind of business?

Its a fair question. When we asked for feedback from people about Core only a few of the numerous emails we received said that they used core for live projects. The vast majority of non-profit and personal sites are already on EE Personal/Non-commercial licenses because they want the tech support. We have no indication that a significant amount of people rely on Core for mission critical projects.

So while this is definitely a point of concern for us there is little to no data supporting it.

Based on what you’ve said here, it looks like we’re in the minority but I work for a public university and we’ve been launching some projects for the university just using the core version.

I’m sad to see it go. Without it I never would have even began building solutions in EE in the first place.

There is quite a fondness at my university setting for the open-source apps (Drupal, Wordpress/Wordpress MU, Plone etc etc), so I think, especially for smaller, low budget projects, there will be some hesitancy to pay money for a solution, when an alternative is available.

I think in my case, there is some value add for the keeping a core license in the sense that getting a non-profit/public institution developer like myself hooked into the software, means that I’m far more likely to recommend the commercial version to clients outside of regular work and/or refer it to fellow colleagues in the design/development community.

Again my case is rare, so I know you are doing what you feel is the best for your company. I’ll probably still recommend EE as a solution for budgeted projects but I do feel like I’ll need to search for a replacement solution for low/no budget smaller projects now that core seems to be going away.

Upgrade pricing question:
What if I paid the download renewal two or more years in advance… e.g. my download access expires in 2012 or something. Will I still have to pay the $50 for the upgrade?

i love EE and am highly anticipating 2.0 but from this thread and others, it actually appears as though Ellis isn’t listen to their users about Core, but has instead just made a decision, which they are totally entitled to do. I suppose I would like to hear more about this ‘try before you buy’ before weighing-in to much more. completely omitting core does some like a misstep when there are so many good free options out there these days.

i was forced into EE because of a client, but immediately downloaded core familiarize myself with it. i was sold shortly there after. i parade EE around to my friends and associates as THE most flexible cms solution out there, and that pitch always is followed with “there is a free core version to check out”.

i think EE is priced quite reasonably, but i fear omitting core, and not listening to folks who use core as either a entry point or for their small scale solution es no bueno. (now i’m just repeating myself )

(staying tuned)

cheers.

If you found and enjoyed ExpressionEngine because of Core, imagine how much more you would have enjoyed it if it were a feature-full version.  For people who have never used ExpressionEngine before, the new trial will be a much better experience than what Core offers now.  And the trial is still free.  So:

there is a free core version to check out

just loses the word “core” and functionally offers new users more.

i agree Derek, in my situation the new proposed solution seems like it wouldn’t have shook me way back when. i’m not sure this new solution is going work for everyone and in many situations where core did. i mean, i don’t personally care now, i have drank the kool aid and i’ll pay, or better my clients.

why omit the core version though? i have to think for those unfamiliar with EE but looking for various solutions will likely look to freeware such as Wordpress / Drupal / Joomla etc. even with a trial version it’s evident that it will cost money should they want to proceed, even if it’s nominal. i know for myself there would had to have been ridiculously compelling evidence why to use and pay for EE, even before using a trial version. now i’m just one user, but potentially that is 5 - 10 licenses a year. let alone the gospel i might spread which surely sells more licenses. had i’d not been forced into EE, that is a loss. thank gawd things worked at as they did. prior to that blessing i was locked into freeware solutions. many of which are not slouches.

i’m sure you guys have already thought much of this out, i suppose i’ll just remain baffled. now how many days till 12/1 now?

I’d like to ask about discussion forums - module which I find a bit ignored in recent EE builds. Would you give us preliminary information about it, did you add something else considering features (for example, anything from this list)?

Thanks!

Im just happy EE2.0 is soon reality and then the real work starts, and waiting for those new features. I Really Really hope that EL keeps in mind that Forum still needs a huge facelift and hopefully that comes along in some future of 2010-2011, sooner the better.