In this quick tour, we've only just touched upon some major changes in Joomla! 1.6. Let's summarize:
The server requirements of Joomla! 1.6 have been upgraded. Before you install Joomla! 1.6, check with your web host if your hosting account meets the new requirements.
Currently, Joomla! 1.6 doesn't contain any functionality to upgrade content developed for a 1.5 powered website to a 1.6 site. You'll have to copy articles manually or use a dedicated content migration extension, once it becomes available.
Joomla!'s rearranged backend interface is aimed at making it easier and faster to perform administrative tasks, skipping unnecessary steps. Menus have been rearranged, tabs and toolbar buttons have been added or renamed.
You can now organize content into as many categories as you want. The concept of unlimited nested categories is easier to grasp than the rigid old three level system.
A major change in Joomla! 1.6 is the new Access Control Levels (ACL) system. It gives site administrators fine-grained control over what registered users can see and do on the website.
The new Extension Manager Update functionality automates the process of keeping all installed extensions up-to-date.
To adjust templates to your taste, you can now set template 'styles'. Styles are combinations of template settings that you can use to give different parts of the site their own distinctive colors or layout.
The Redirect Manager helps you to automatically point visitors who visit your site through outdated links to updated URLs.
In the course of this book, you'll get to know all these enhanced features and try out how they'll benefit you when building your own site. In the next chapter, we'll focus on the new Joomla! 1.6 workspace. You'll learn how to get the most out of the new features of the revamped administration area.