If you are using DotNetNuke 4.4.0, you have noticed undoubtedly that some modules are missing from the install and source distributions. I hope I can explain a bit more about what changed. In fact a couple of things happened.
First of all, DotNetNuke is becoming an ever larger application, with version 4.3.x consisting of about 100 separate assemblies. During startup of the application, all these dll's are loaded, which makes the load time longer. I've found a good article explaining this here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/06/02/CLRInsideOut/default.aspx. The solution that was chosen for DotNetNuke was to not install all modules that are included in the distribution automatically, but make the installation optional, through the Host > Module Definitions page. You can read more about it in one of
Charles's Performance Updates and one of
Shauns Blogs. DotNetNuke 4.4.0 includes the following modules:
- Announcements
- Blog
- Documents
- FAQs
- Forum
- HTML
- IFrame
- Links
- Media
- NewsFeeds
- Reports
- Repository
- Survey
- UserDefinedTable
- UsersOnline
- XML
Of which only the HTML and the Links module will install at first, because those modules are needed in the default portal that is created with DotNetNuke. All others can be installed through Host > Module Definitions
This brings me to the second thing that has happened. If you've installed DotNetNuke before, you will miss some modules in this list. In comparison with DotNetNuke 4.3.7, the following modules are no longer distributed with DotNetNuke:
- Contacts
- Events
- Feedback
- Gallery
- Help
- Store
- WhatsNew
Let me explain briefly what happened with these. In general, it was decided that modules that do not live up to the standards DotNetNuke is trying to set, should not be included in the core distribution. Some specific information about each of them:
Contacts – The contacts module has a new team leader (Tony Valenti of PowerDNN), and the new module will be a member directory that plugs in directly to the DotNetNuke user management. For users of the old contacts module, an upgrade path will be provided by the UDT module. Read
Toni Valenti's post for more information.
Events – The events module did not have new releases for about 9 months, there were a couple of issues with the module, and no new releases were scheduled. Since then, the project team leader Alan Vance, has started to fix open issues, and is planning to release within approximately 6 weeks. I expect this module to be included again after it has been released
Feedback – A more or less serious issue was identified in the feedback module, causing postings to show up in other portals. As far as I know the team is currently creating a new version of the module. Again.. when this new version is released, this will probably be included again in the core distribution
Gallery – The gallery team is working on a new version, but it is a major rewrite. The module will use the DB, instead of XML and all kinds of other improvements. The current module version has some serious performance issues (due to xml storage), so it was decided to skip this module from the distribution.
Help – The current version has some installation issues, and a new version is also underway.
Store – The store module is under development, and is nearing release
WhatsNew – The "What's New" module was included in DotNetNuke 4.3.x with no real good reasons. There is no "What's New" project, no separate download, so it was decided to remove it again from the distribution. The problem was that no separate download was available. This will be fixed soon. However, we still are debating what to do with the module, so I'd not expect to see this module back in DotNetNuke in the next stabilization release.
Of course all these modules (except "whats new") can be downloaded through their respective download pages