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Gantry 5 beta 4 is now available featuring numerous functionality updates and bug fixes as we head closer to the first major release of Gantry 5 for Joomla. This beta release focuses on usability, making it easier for users to navigate the administrative back end while maintaining the power and flexibility users have come to expect from the Gantry framework.

One of the most noticeable additions in this beta are smart warnings that detect when pending changes have not yet been saved and will be lost if the user exits the page without doing so. This pop-up gives the user the option to save before leaving, discard changes, or remain on the page.

Another important usability update is the removal of the Configurations menu in global administrative panel. This avoids the tendency for users to assume that changes made in these panels are configuration-specific. By selecting Back to Configuration, you will be sent to the Styles administrative panel within the active configuration.

The Assignments administrative panel has also received an update in the form of a global filter field where you can quickly search for specific assignment points as well as select and unselect all menu items with a click of the mouse.

Participating in the Beta

If you would like to contribute to the Gantry 5 beta, and directly assist in creating the next generation Gantry Framework, there are several ways to do so.

The easiest way to help out is by simply downloading the beta release of Gantry 5 via Github and trying it out for yourself. We have documentation available to help you get started in the all-new Gantry 5 administrator, as well as a Gitter chat room where you can talk directly with Gantry’s development team as well as other members of the community.

If you run across any issues or have any suggestions for improvement, you can submit an issue report on GitHub letting us know. Our team will review the issue and work on a solution.

If you would like to contribute directly to the project yourself, you can do so by making the change and submitting a pull request. Your pull request will be reviewed by the team, and if approved, will become part of Gantry 5. We recommend reaching out via the Gitter chat before doing so to avoid putting in the work on a problem that the team is already working on.

Keep in mind that even at this stage, Gantry 5 is in an early beta and it is not recommended for use on any live site. Doing so will undoubtedly come with issues as new updates are released that could potentially break functionality of your site.

Additionally, the current beta build does not include all of the features and functionality we have planned for the final release.

Gantry 5 is coming together very nicely thanks to our incredibly active and passionate community. We are working towards the next major phase of the beta coming soon, and look forward to seeing the incredible things the community creates with it.

Installing Beta 4 on Existing Gantry 5 Beta Installs

Gantry 5 and the Hydrogen template have undergone big changes since beta 3 was released. If you are running Gantry 5 beta 3 and the Hydrogen template released with beta 3, there are a few things you should be aware of when updating.

First, your TEMPLATE_DIR/custom directory should be backed up. The TEMPLATE_DIR/custom/compiled-css directory itself should be removed at this time as it will not work with the latest update. You can update Gantry 5 using the standard Joomla update process, but the Hydrogen template needs to be uninstalled and installed manually to accept all of the changes for beta 4. Here is a quick rundown of the steps we recommend taking when installing Gantry 5 beta 4 on an existing Gantry 5 beta 3 site.

1. Delete the TEMPLATE_DIR/custom/compiled-css directory in your installation.
2. Back up your TEMPLATE_DIR/custom directory. While we recommend deleting this directory entirely so you will see all the new changes, backing it up will enable you to replace any information you need to reinstall after the update/re-installation is completed.
3. Set a template other than Hydrogen as your default.
4. Uninstall the Hydrogen template.
5. Update Gantry 5 using Joomla's integrated update process.
6. Manually download and install the updated Hydrogen template for beta 4.
7. Make sure Gantry and Hydrogen are enabled and enjoy testing!

For more information about Gantry 5, please check out these other blog posts from our ongoing series:

• Gantry 5: Requirements and Details
• Gantry 5: Built from the Ground Up for Speed
• Gantry 5: Regarding Backward Compatibility
• Gantry 5: Incredibly Easy to Use
• Gantry 5: Reimagining the Layout Manager
• Gantry 5: Rethinking How Positions Work in Joomla
• Gantry 5: Meet the Menu Editor
• Gantry 5: Powerful New Font, Color, and Icon Pickers
• Gantry 5: Joomla Beta Released
• Gantry 5: Joomla Beta 2 Released
• Gantry 5: Joomla Beta 3 Released

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