Joomla! 1.5 Beta-2 is out! Template parameters.

On May 4th/5th (depending on your timezone), the Joomla! dev' team finally released the much anticipated beta-2 of the upcoming 1.5 version. This release is more for designers and coders to adapt their code to the new framework, but everyone is invited to test and report bugs so as to speed up release of RC and stable versions. Check out the official announcement.

I'll post some of the new features and comparisions of 1.0.x and 1.5 side by side.

To start with, if you're a designer, you'll want to take a look at the default's Milky Way template parameters and how they are coded. In the administration backend, as you can see below, all the user has to do is set Color and or Background variation, Save, and the look of the site changes instantly!
Now I'd like a way to do this on a per-section/category/item basis.. (is there?)

Also note there's a second template, BEEZ, shipping with this release. Check it out, read the documentation provided for it, it is great for accessibility! (not shown)

1.5 beta Template screens part One

Template Manager with rollover preview thumbnail.
Notice the new "Default" button to select the main site/admin template.


Template Parameters are accessed by clicking a template name.
From here, you can set various params, as well as edit HTML and CSS files for this template. See next post.

The new unified extensions installer

Very nice new extension installer: no matter if you want to install
a component, module, plugin (mambot), template or language,
all you need is this one installer!
Very good styling of error messages too, as showcased here.
And, you have quick links to check on all installed extensions, from
where you can then uninstall any unneeded ones.