Here at Ecreations Software we believe in offering you top of the line software for an affordable price - and we are always seeking to improve our software to meet the changing needs of our customers. On October 1st, 2001 we will be releasing the 4.3 version of our BuildACommunity Suite, and we wanted to offer you all a preview of what to expect.

First, and most importantly, we have implemented an optional pay-per-membership system that will allow you to charge for use of our software. You will be able to set up a tiered system and charge for varying levels of access and permissions. This has been the number one feature request over the last few months, and we are happy to announce that it has now been implemented.

Second, we have re-worked our CommunityMembers membership system so that it can more easily integrated with third-party software. This means that you can tie in our software with other programs and require only one registration. We believe that our software suite offers a multitude of options, but now you can work within your budget and mix and match with other software to create the site you want. Please note, that there will be a small charge for merging the databases if you are unable to do so yourself.

Other key new features are broken down by software product below:

General

• Insert 'skins' to offer multiple looks for your site members to choose from
• QuickView report of site activity - listing recent activity across all software
• Create your own custom plugins in the admin

CommunityForums

• Optional one-page category listing, rather than the standard directory structure
• Thread listings can be spread across multiple pages
• User data area (left of posts) is now configurable
• Admin can now decide the default sort option
• Option to show 'New' tags for threads containing posts since last visit
• Navigation has been reworked for easier jumping between forums
• User Class updates in all posts as it changes
• More text replacements/emoticons added
• Icon displays if user is online

Auto-EmailPro

• Random footers can be added to emails
• Drafts folder for storing works in progress
• Emails can be spread over multiple pages

Aardvark Catalog & Publisher

• Star (Rating) field added
• Category counts update automatically
• Set size of images without using default

Auto-Clubs

• All improvements for CommunityForums apply to Auto-Clubs forums
• Icon added to small calendars to mark days with events scheduled

CommunityWeaver

• Music Plugin added
• Space limitations, and space left, shown to user

CommunityMembers

• Support for anonymous contacting of users
• Referral system inserted in registration form (as user registers, they can let others know they should sign up too)
• Purely text-based Signatures, no HTML supported (for use with CommunityForums & Auto-Clubs)

Auto-HomePage

• Start page can now be broken up over several pages
• Configurable limit set on the length of a note title
• MyClassifieds, and MyHotlist windows added (for use with Auto-ClassifiedsPro)
• MyArticles and MyBookmarks windows added (for use with Aardvark Publisher)
• Icon added to small calendars to mark days with events scheduled

ECardsPro

• Random Emails for pickup notices
• More plugins, like [POSTCARDPAGE], [PICKUPTIME], [AFTERDAYS], for use in email messages