Updates To XStandard Version 1.5
5-Times Faster Load Time
Version 1.5 of XStandard includes performance enhancements on many levels, but load time is the most visible area of improvement. XStandard now loads 5 times faster, and on most computers this means under half a second.
Caching of Customization Files
XStandard has a number of customization files that enhance user experience and tighten the editor's integration with content management systems. Previously, these files were downloaded from the server each time the editor was loaded. Caching these files uses less network bandwidth and the editor loads faster.
Easier Browser Integration: Support For The type Attribute In IE
Cross browser integration is made simpler with support for the type attribute in IE. Now you can use the same markup to launch the editor in both IE and Mozilla/Firefox. So instead of <object classid="...">, use:
<object type="application/x-xstandard" width="100%" height="400"><param name="Value" value="Hello World" /></object>
A "Heartbeat" To Keep Your Session Alive
The Heartbeat feature is unique to XStandard. Use it to send regular HTTP "pulses" to your CMS to keep Session state from timing out. Ensures that authors can walk away from their desk while editing a document and pick up where they left off on their return.
Customized Icons In The Directory Service
Icons in the editor's Directory service, used to import third-party content, can now be customized. This makes it easier for authors to recognize and distinguish between data sources.
Placeholders For Dynamically Generated Content
The editor now supports placeholders or custom tags that are later replaced by dynamically generated content such as stock prices, or the current temperature. For example, the following markup:
Today's temperature is <temperature title="Placeholder for temperature."/>.
... gives this result when the placeholder is replaced by the current temperature:
Today's temperature is 23°C.
For added convenience, icons and tooltips can be assigned to placeholders, to remind authors of the placeholder's function:
Easier Image Insertion in XStandard Lite
In the Lite version of XStandard, image dimensions are now optional, making it easier and faster to insert images when entering a direct URL.
If the image is available, the editor automatically calculates and inserts image dimensions into the markup as shown below.
<img width="180" height="60" src="http://xstandard.com/images/logo.gif" alt="XStandard Logo"/>
Hide Advanced Features From Novice Users
To make the authoring process easier for novice users, advanced tabs and fields can now be hidden. The screenshot below shows the advanced and simplified versions of the Hyperlink Properties dialog box
Other Features in Version 1.5
- Paste / upload images directly from the clipboard, from applications such as Photoshop.
- Support for SSL
See the "Features" chart for a complete listing of XStandard's features and functionality.