C5.6 or C5.7

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Been using C5 for years, just a user, not a developer.

I'm looking to get a new theme for my site that I've had for years, and I know C5.7 is still fairly new and not a lot of themes in the store for it, and have found a few really nice C5.6 themes I like, but unsure if I should get a 5.6 theme now knowing that 5.7 is the latest and greatest.

I will probably use whatever theme I get for several years, so is 5.6 going still be around and get some updates a few years from now? I'm sure most of the newest stuff will be put into 5.7 I'd think.

Thoughts?

dibbc
 
OKDnet replied on at Permalink Reply
OKDnet
That's a tough question to answer for someone else. A "few" years? The core team has promised security type fixes for 5.6 for one year (and I'm not sure what the date is (it seems like a number of months already passed since the promise was made). Who know beyond that. 5.6 will continue to work fine though for probably well past that, so I wouldn't be overly concerned .

But based on just what you've said, I would lean towards 5.7+ , especially if it's only the theme you're concerned about. Yeah, there's not a huge number available yet, but there is definitely a decent and growing selection of nice ones (and you only need one after all). And as you said, it is the future. I'm actually encouraged by how many add-ons and themes are being added.

On the other hand, if you need immediate functionality that just is not available on 5.7 yet but is available in 5.6, that would be a good reason to go ahead and build with 5.6 (I just did that for an eCommerce site started about 4 months ago for that very reason).

-Owen
dibbc replied on at Permalink Reply
dibbc
Thanks, still thinking about it. Leaning towards just going with a 5.6 theme I like and then in a year or two going to 5.7 when there's a lot more theme choices available.
OKDnet replied on at Permalink Reply
OKDnet
I can't help but notice Concrete5.org is still running on 5.5.2.2a1

Before making a final decision, you might look into the possibility of a 5.7+ version of whatever theme it is you like (converted by either the developer, who may be planning to do so anyway, or someone else).

<hint> Is this a karma deserving "best answer"? </hint>
MrKDilkington replied on at Permalink Reply
MrKDilkington
@OKDnet

I believe that the install used for the concrete5.org website is highly customized which is why it doesn't show an updated version. Most likely it is updated piece by piece as needed.
ramonleenders replied on at Permalink Reply
ramonleenders
I'm not that much into themes for C5 as I do all HTML/CSS myself, but if there are well build themes for 5.6 (I mean, full responsive, latest Bootstrap, great SEO stuff etc. etc.), then you could use 5.6.

5.7 does have some really nice new features too with page types and being able to edit your site on your iPad or iPhone/mobile and lots of other stuff. Depends what you actually need, but if you do not need eCommerce (although Vivid store seems to grow for 5.7), I wouldn't see too much reason to stick with 5.6. I'm sure there are a lot good looking 5.7 themes as well and codewise 5.7 is WAY ahead of 5.6.

Just my 2 cents :)
Vivid replied on at Permalink Reply
Vivid
Just as a random comment since there's some mention of eCommerce and our store.

We do have a store/ecommerce add-on for 5.7. It was intended to be something lightweight. Now, however, what is in GitHub and what will soon be released as 3.0 in the marketplace, is more full featured than the 5.6 core commerce.

As of right now, Store offers some interesting features such as Digital Downloads and Paid Membership (which are additional add-ons for the 5.6 ecommerce).

3.0 of the store will offer highly flexible discounts/coupons, shipping methods, and better tax customizations for countries that charge different taxes as well as detailed reports. All of which don't exist or aren't done well in ecommerce for 5.6.

Just saying if you're still choosing 5.6 just because of eCommerce, message us first.
Cahueya replied on at Permalink Reply
@Vivid

Is there a way to have a road map on what is going to come in your Store Add-On?

I am also looking to move two sites from 5.6 to 5.7, some add-ons can be replaced, but some things don't seem to be available yet - which keeps me from moving on with that.

For example - the "special instructions"-Add-On for eCommerce - necessary for both projects. Will your Add-On will have that built in or will some plugin be available. Paying for good plugins is no problem - they just need to be available.


Thank you!
Vivid replied on at Permalink Reply
Vivid
There's actually a Roadmap on the Marketplace Page. View it here:http://www.concrete5.org/marketplace/addons/store-ecommerce-from-vi...

Besides eCommerce, I'm curious what add-ons are keeping you from moving on. Most are in 5.7 or there's an alternative to them.
MichaelG replied on at Permalink Reply
MichaelG
Mesuva posted a great video showing some of the new features being worked on for our Store add-on here:http://www.concrete5.org/community/forums/5-7-discussion/video-of-v...
ramonleenders replied on at Permalink Reply
ramonleenders
If there are Add-Ons you still need for 5.7, contact a developer or make a thread about the need for this/these specific Add-On(s). This way we can make 5.7 great as a community, with both involvement of the user/client AND developer. Having a couple of Add-Ons in the market place myself, where some were requests too. Developers may not lack (specific) Add-Ons, where others (users, clients, designers and so forth) do.
OKDnet replied on at Permalink Reply
OKDnet
@Vivid This is great news! I was waiting for things to get to this point.
Thanks Michael!