Accessories
Accessories represent a new type of ExpressionEngine add-on, offering a
convenient way to present custom information to control panel users. For
instance, your marketing department might desire an easy way to view a certain
set of traffic-related statistics. By encapsulating this information within an
Accessory Add-On, you can not only aggregate and format this information to suit
marketing’s express needs, but also make it readily available to them via the
control panel. Further, you’re not limited to presenting
ExpressionEngine-specific information; you can create Accessories
capable of pulling information from any third-party source, such as Google
Analytics.
convenient way to present custom information to control panel users. For
instance, your marketing department might desire an easy way to view a certain
set of traffic-related statistics. By encapsulating this information within an
Accessory Add-On, you can not only aggregate and format this information to suit
marketing’s express needs, but also make it readily available to them via the
control panel. Further, you’re not limited to presenting
ExpressionEngine-specific information; you can create Accessories
capable of pulling information from any third-party source, such as Google
Analytics.
See the ExpressionEngine
user guide for more information about this convenient new feature.
user guide for more information about this convenient new feature.
Pricing and Trial Version
One of the biggest surprises about ExpressionEngine 2 is EllisLab’s decision to no
longer offer a trial version, instead moving to a model that provides a “100%
money-back guarantee” within 30 days of purchase. The rationale behind this move isn’t
readily apparent, although one would presume it is intended to combat piracy.
However, it will almost certainly reduce the appeal of giving the new product a
test drive.
longer offer a trial version, instead moving to a model that provides a “100%
money-back guarantee” within 30 days of purchase. The rationale behind this move isn’t
readily apparent, although one would presume it is intended to combat piracy.
However, it will almost certainly reduce the appeal of giving the new product a
test drive.
Regardless, the ExpressionEngine pricing structure remains quite low for what you receive
in return, given the commercial version’s $299.95 price tag and a $149.95
arrangement for non-commercial purposes. A “Freelancer License” is available for
a mere $99.95 for individuals and businesses with three employees or fewer (in
addition to other restrictions discussed on the website). Further, 1.X users
with active download accounts can upgrade to version 2 for a just $50.
in return, given the commercial version’s $299.95 price tag and a $149.95
arrangement for non-commercial purposes. A “Freelancer License” is available for
a mere $99.95 for individuals and businesses with three employees or fewer (in
addition to other restrictions discussed on the website). Further, 1.X users
with active download accounts can upgrade to version 2 for a just $50.
Conclusion
The features discussed in this article are just a few of the literally
hundreds of new features made available with the ExpressionEngine 2 release.
Whether you’re an experienced 1.X user who hasn’t yet taken the time to
investigate the new version, a CodeIgniter guru looking to capitalize on your
abilities within the Web publishing market, or a PHP developer interested in
using truly best-of-breed technologies created with your favorite language,
ExpressionEngine is well worth a look.
hundreds of new features made available with the ExpressionEngine 2 release.
Whether you’re an experienced 1.X user who hasn’t yet taken the time to
investigate the new version, a CodeIgniter guru looking to capitalize on your
abilities within the Web publishing market, or a PHP developer interested in
using truly best-of-breed technologies created with your favorite language,
ExpressionEngine is well worth a look.
About the Author
Jason Gilmore is the founder of WJGilmore.com and the author of
several popular books, including “Easy PHP Websites with the Zend Framework”, “Easy PayPal with PHP”, and “Beginning PHP and MySQL, Third Edition”.
several popular books, including “Easy PHP Websites with the Zend Framework”, “Easy PayPal with PHP”, and “Beginning PHP and MySQL, Third Edition”.
