What is this release for?
There are several goals for this release:
- To allow advance testing of sites and custom extensions so that site administrators and developers can report any problems before the final release.
- To raise awareness that the end of the current development cycle is fast approaching.
- To allow testing of the upgrade from version 1.6.5 to 1.7.0.
What is this release NOT for?
This beta version of Joomla 1.7 is not suitable for production sites. It should be used for testing only.
When is the final release due?
Joomla 1.7 GA (general availability) is due to be released on 19 July 2011. The planned milestone after this date are:
- 10 August - Joomla 1.6 reaches end of life and is no longer supported
- January 2012 - Next version of Joomla is released
- April 2012 - Joomla 1.5 reaches end of life
- Please note that dates may be subject to change depending on availability of volunteers and circumstances beyond our control.
How do I upgrade to Joomla 1.7?
Upgrading from Joomla 1.6.4 to Joomla 1.7 will be easy. Joomla! Start to Finish: How to Plan, Execute, and Maintain Your Web Site (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)
You can test the upgrade from 1.6.5 to 1.7.0 RC1 with the following simple steps:- Create a test version of 1.6.5. (Do not use a production 1.6 version!)
- Navigate to the Extension Manager -> Install tab.
- In the Install from URL, enter the URL for the RC1 test update package: http://joomlacode.org/gf/download/frsrelease/15233/66395/Joomla_1.6.5_to_1.7.0_RC1_Update.zip.
- Press the Install button.
- The system will work for a minute and then (we hope) display a success message. That's all there is to it! If you have any problems, please post in the forum on on the issue tracker.
