OpenConf News

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Version 3.42 Security Release

30 November 2009

We are releasing version 3.42 at this time to address two issues recently identified with earlier versions of OpenConf. First, we were notified this weekend of security vulnerabilities in the OpenConf code. Second, an issue with the upgrade routine prevented the version number displayed to the Chair from being properly updated. Both of these issues have been fixed in 3.42.

You are encouraged to upgrade your OpenConf installation as soon as possible.

Download OpenConf 3.42 at www.openconf.com/download/, then follow the steps below. If you have purchased OpenConf Professional Edition, use the Customer Login link to access your account prior to visiting the download page.

Upgrade Instructions:

1. Backup your current OpenConf files and database
2. Extract the OpenConf archive over your current installation
3. Sign in as Chair and visit the page:
http://[HOST]/openconf/chair/upgrade.php

Version 3.41 Security Release

5 November 2009

Version 3.41 is a security release addressing potential cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the OpenConf code. All users of OpenConf prior to 3.41 are encouraged to upgrade as soon as possible.

Download OpenConf 3.41 at www.openconf.com/download/, then follow the steps below. If you have purchased OpenConf Professional Edition, use the Customer Login link to access your account prior to visiting the download page.

Upgrade Instructions:

1. Backup your current OpenConf files and database
2. Extract the OpenConf archive over your current installation
3. Sign in as Chair and visit the page:
http://[HOST]/openconf/chair/upgrade.php

Version 3.40 Released

28 October 2009

OpenConf 3.40 has just been made available for download at www.OpenConf.com/download/. If you are already running OpenConf 3.x, see the upgrade section of the INSTALL.txt file.

This release is primarily intended to fix a couple of small bugs in the Discussion and MultiFile modules. There is however some new functionality as well, including:

Restricting the number of words in the abstract field (see OC_abstractLength advanced configuration setting).
Including a file upload field on the submission form. Check the configuration page for enabling this option and optionally making the file upload field required. If using the MultiFile module, the upload will be for file type ID 1.
Allowing a restricted preview of the program, and optionally including author's affiliation (Pro edition only)

If you are using OpenConf Community Edition, please consider supporting OpenConf by making a donation (www.openconf.com/donation/), or purchasing an OpenConf Professional License which will get you some great additional features: Online Program & Proceedings, Multiple File Upload, Committee Discussion, Reviewer Bidding, Multiple Submission/Acceptance Types, and more!

Is there a feature you would like to see in OpenConf 4? Let us know about it!

Version 3.30 Released

8 July 2009

OpenConf 3.30 has just been released and is ready for you to download at www.OpenConf.com. Professional Edition licensees should first visit the Customer Login area (atop the page).

Once downloaded, follow the 3-step upgrade process:

1. Backup your current OpenConf files and database
2. Extract the OpenConf archive over your current installation
3. Sign in as Chair and visit the page:
http://[HOST]/openconf/chair/upgrade.php

Some of the new features in this release include:
- Export of reviewers to CSV File
- Acceptance filter and bulk acceptance decisions on Scores page
- Contact form (instead of mailto: link) to Email Chair on public pages
- Configuration page option to enable/disable advocate functionality
- Non-blind option to allow reviewer/advocate to see author names, and if enabled includes links to search CiteSeer, Google Scholar, and Scirus

OpenConf Professional Edition users will also have access to a new MultiFile module that allows the Chair to set up multiple file upload types (e.g., review file, copyright waiver, final paper, etc). There is no limit to the number of upload types that can be created, and individual controls are provided to open/close uploads, allow reviewer access, select file formats, and choose whether to publish as part of the proceedings or program.

We welcome your feedback on OpenConf. If there is a feature that you would like to have, let us know at www.openconf.com/contact/?to=support. For features that you need right away, we will be glad to develop it for you through the OpenConf Customization Service: www.openconf.com/services/.

New Cloud Storage Option for OpenConf Hosting Service

6 April 2009

We are pleased to announce a new option for the OpenConf Hosting Service that includes a virtually unlimited amount of disk space. This new option uses Amazon's Simple Storage Service (S3) for storing uploaded files, and allows us to provide much more storage for a lot lower cost. All of the additional disk space you might require for your event (up to 10GB) is already included in the OpenConf Hosting Service base price, which remains the same.

In celebration of this new option, we are offering customers a 20% discount on the OpenConf Hosting Service fee if you sign up and pay before the end of April 2009. Simply write "CLOUD20" in the comments field and select the Unlimited additional file space option on the sign up form: https://www.openconf.com/secure/sales/hosting.php

There is no change in how authors interact with OpenConf with this option. And rest assured that even though Amazon's Web Services have proven to be reliable, we will still maintain a backup copy of all files on an off-site server.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers and the rest of the OpenConf community for their continued support. The option above originated with a client's suggestion, so if there is some way you would like to see OpenConf enhanced be sure to let us know!

OpenConf 3.20 Released

4 March 2009

Welcome to the OpenConf 3.20 release!

This release includes code and interface enhancements, minor bug fixes, and new functionality such as the ability to select individual email recipients and the logging of emails sent and status changes.

One other update you should be aware of is the addition of a new configuration setting (OC_includeSubmissionUploadLink) which, if enabled (the default), will include a large "Proceed to Upload File" link on the submission confirmation page. Multiple events requested this feature to alert authors that they need to upload a file as part of their submission. Visit the Settings:Configuration page if you want to disable the link.

For a complete list of changes, see www.openconf.com/documentation/changes.php. Or if you can't wait, download release 3.20 at www.openconf.com/download/

Upgrades from prior version 3 releases remain straightforward. Simply overwrite your existing OpenConf directory with the new files, sign in as Chair and visit the upgrade script. Full details are available in the INSTALL (text) file included with OpenConf or online at www.openconf.com/documentation/install.php. Always make a backup of your files and database prior to initiating the upgrade.

If you are looking for additional functionality or support, be sure to check out OpenConf Professional Edition which includes reviewer bidding, multiple submission/acceptance types, online program and proceedings, author rebuttals, and committee discussion. A comparison of the OpenConf Community and Professional Editions is available at www.openconf.com/editions/#compare

OpenConf 3.10 Released

6 November 2008

OpenConf 3.10 is now available for download. This version includes some minor bug fixes, text edits, additional functionality (author submission withdraw, chair clear review data), and a new uploaded file type checking module. We are pleased to announce that through community support, the file type checking module is also available as part of the Community Edition.

For upgrade instructions, see the upgrade section of the INSTALL (text) file included in the download archive, or the installation instructions under Support.

New OpenConf Web Site & Services Launched

1 October 2008

With OpenConf's continued growth in popularity, we decided it was time for OpenConf to have its own web site apart from Zakon Group – the parent development organization.

Along with the new look, we are also formally launching three OpenConf Services: OpenConf Hosting Service, OpenConf Installation Service, and OpenConf Customization Service.

Visit the new OpenConf web site at www.OpenConf.com.

OpenConf Version 3.0 Released; Now in Two Flavors

1 October 2008

We are pleased to announce the release of OpenConf Version 3.0. Many requested features have made their way into this new release, which also sees the introduction of modules to more easily add functionality, and changes in how settings and data are stored to facilitate future upgrades.

With this new release, OpenConf is now also available in two editions – Community & Professional. Learn more about the new OpenConf at www.OpenConf.com/editions/.