DotNetNuke 6.2 introduces new social networking and service layer features. The main new features are integrated social networking through the ActiveSocial module, including a journal module for status updates, a member directory, social groups, and messaging. It also includes a new MVC-based service layer API for building services and accessing data without page refreshes. These features will allow building of socially-aware applications and pairing of web/mobile apps for DotNetNuke. The release schedule includes CTP, beta, and RTM versions throughout 2012.

1. What’s new in DotNetNuke 6.2?
Bruce Chapman
iFinity Software
SEQDUG Meeting, Mar 22, 2012

2. What’s the big deal with 6.2?
• Original 6.0 release (codename :Hadrian) July
2011
• 6.0 : UI Improvements, but few new features
• 6.1 : Mobile device support
• 6.2 : Social + Services Layer

3. Main New Features of 6.2
• Integrated Social Networking features into
core – integration of ActiveSocial into platform
• New MVC based Service Layer for building
services

4. Social Features
• Journal Module
– Interpretation of Facebook status updates
• Member Directory
– Listing of site members
• Social Groups
– allows for sub-groups within the site
• Messaging
– member->member messaging

5. Journal Module
• Similar to Facebook, allows for Status updates
posted by site users
• Allows for text updates, photo + attachments
• Set privacy per Journal post
• Administrator : allow photo/attachments,
posts per page and length of posts.
• Developers: can post Journal items through
Journal API

6. Journal Module

7. Member Directory
• Essentially a list of members on the site
• Provides comprehensive search for members
• Social actions : friend, follow

8. Member Directory

9. Messaging
• Member->Member private messaging
• Separate from existing DotNetNuke Messaging
in User Profile
• Provides messages in conversation format,
with replies linked together
• Can send to groups or individuals
• API to allow modules to insert messages

10. Social Messaging

11. Social Groups
• Social Groups are a public or private way of
members to associate
• Similar in theme but not execution to
Facebook groups
• Groups can have a group-specific Journal
• Social Groups are in reality extended Security
Roles – ie, existing DNN roles with more
metadata
• Implementation in Current CTP is very sparse

12. Social Groups

13. Summary of Social Features
• The social features will enable fast building of socially
aware applications
• Possible uses:
• Community sites -> schools, sports clubs,social clubs
• Vendor sites -> support, user groups, product
suggestions
• Niche social sites -> Facebook and Twitter don’t own
the entire web.
• DotNetNuke will take a big leap over the competition
with these features

14. New Service Layer API
• Service Layer – non visual way of interacting
with the data stored in a DotNetNuke site
• Comprises of :
– Authentication: ensuring person accessing data is
authorised to do so
– Core Functions :Get User Details, Post to Journal,
Get Page Details
– Extensible : Implement your own Service functions
specific to an individual DotNetNuke Module

15. New Service Layer API
• Technology
– Based on MVC Service Layer with DNN specific
implementation
– Includes a Service Route Mapper to easily map
requests to individual actions via the Service Url
structure
• Uses in DotNetNuke 6.2
– All the new social features are ‘AJAXy’ – no
postbacks/page refreshes for status updates etc
– This will be expanded in future versions for more tasks

16. Service Layer API Possibilities
• DotNetNuke modules can be opened up to
more than one device/platform
• Creates a large new field for innovation in
delivering paired web/desktop/mobile apps
for DotNetNuke
• Allows for implementation of new web
programming paradigms, like Knockout.js
• Effectively renders the Webforms model of
DotNetNuke irrelevant

17. Other new 6.2 Features
• Tab Hierarchy management – uses Sql 2005 CTE
features to improve speed.
• SSL Offloading (PE only) – allows for network load
balancing devices to enforce SSL
• Secure user settings – automatic
encryption/decryption of personal details
• Profanity Filter for input text (also removes
markup)
• Profile enhancements – Read only for
user, public/private/friends visibility.

18. How does 6.2 affect you?
• Site owner : think about how to leverage
social features for your site
• Solutions Provider : you can now start looking
at combined mobile/desktop/web solutions
for clients
• Developers : check compatibility for existing
code, leverage new social and service layer
• Designers : large demand for social optimised
skins and page layouts

19. Release Schedule
• CTP 1 : Feb 20, 2012
• CTP 2 : April 2, 2012
• Beta 1 : Apr 23, 2012
• Beta 2 : May 14, 2012
• RC : June 4, 2012
• RTM : June 30, 2012
Estimated release dates only, check
dotnetnuke.com for accurate timelines

20. What to do with 6.2
• Check with vendors for compatibility
• Talk to designers about specific page designs
for Journal, Profile pages
• Download CTP and Beta versions and test out
upgrade process
• Get involved in feedback and Easter Egg hunt

21. Questions?
• Slides will be available on Slideshare
• Follow me on Twitter @brucerchapman for
notification, or check blog on
http://www.ifinity.com.au