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Dear customers!

We are excited to announce the second Beta release of X-Cart 4.1.0. Over a year X-Cart team has been working to enhance the functionality and performance offered by X-Cart e-commerce software and finally you have a chance to experience the many improvements introduced during this period.

While developing X-Cart 4.1.0, not only did we add new features, but we also paid a lot of attention to performance advancement: decreased the number of complex SQL requests, added a data caching mechanism, optimized the PHP code to reduce the required memory limit.

Our thanks to everyone who actively participated and provided feedback.


Here is a list of key features for 4.1.0 version:

BETA 2
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- XHTML 1.0 Transitional compliant code;
- improved product search functionality: a new search option affecting product search by multiple words is added (Users can now specify whether the results returned by a search should match 'All words', 'Any word' or the 'Exact phrase' of the search pattern);
- enhanced control over images location: image files can now be moved to the file system during X-Cart installation;
- support for generation of manufacturers' static pages in HTML catalog;
- minor changes of the user profile page: 'Same as billing address' checkbox in the shipping address section is replaced with 'Ship to a different address' checkbox;
- improved orders/order invoices: customer notes are separated from the order details and included into the order invoice;
- optimized design of the 'Languages' section: input boxes for label values are enlarged for your convenience, description field is removed, ability to search for labels in all topics is added;
- multi-language support for extra field names;
- minor improvement in Fast Lane Checkout module: 'Register' form provided at the step of user authorization is made hidden by default (can be opened by clicking a link);
- a more convenient method of using product detailed images: a new option 'Switch detailed images in a popup window without page reloading (using the dynamic image loading)' is added.
- advanced management of customers' credit card information: admin now has the ability to discard credit card information provided by customers saving only the last 4 digits of credit card numbers in order details (Admin area -> Tools page -> Credit card information removal section)

BETA 1
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- a more user-friendly and intuitive checkout procedure (Fast Lane Checkout module);
- a new patch/upgrade center that will allow you to upgrade installed add-ons and non-standard X-Cart skins;
- export/import functionality for almost all data types (products and all related information, categories, coupons, destination zones, users, etc);
- support for simultaneous use of more than one user type in one browser session (for example, a user can be logged in as an administrator and a customer at the same time);
- ability for administrator to enter the store as another user;
- X-FancyCategories module revised to ensure stable performance of the store with large numbers of categories (over 500);
- advanced membership system: ability to assign one or more memberships to each of the products, categories, payment methods, tax rates and discounts;
- System fingerprints: ability to compare the status of the store files before and after modification and to discover which files have been deleted, added or modified;
- wholesale prices and thumbnail images for product variants;
- ability to display product detailed images in popup windows;
- Australia Post's Delivery Rate Calculator support;
- 'Same as billing address' checkbox on the user profile page (for the shipping address section);
- support for a number of new payment gateways;
- ability to create discount coupons with more options;
- multi-language support for the speed bar, payment methods, user titles etc;
- support for a more advanced encryption method for sensitive data (Blowfish);
- Smarty template engine upgraded up to version 2.6.10;


Just like any Beta release, we welcome your bug reports and suggestions.

WARNING!
The software is NOT recommended for production deployment at this stage. Please do not use X-Cart 4.1.0 beta for live stores: this version is still supposed to undergo a period of thorough final testing and polishing. Please be aware that X-Cart 4.1.0 beta is just a preview of X-Cart 4.1.0 and comes without technical support or a reference manual.