Third Light Ltd The Digital Asset Management Specialists [http://www.thirdlight.com/] http://www.thirdlight.com/ IMS Newsletter - October 2009 Dear all, Welcome to the October 2009 newsletter, our bi-monthly update on developments at Third Light and news about changes and improvements made to the IMS product. Please follow the instructions at the end of this email if you prefer not to receive our newsletters. Features mentioned below are free of charge, and will be released to subscription sites on 12 October 2009 and via an Appliance update in November. Search Engine Upgrades (new) From 12 October, the Third Light search engine and related keywording tools and reports include new features, as follows: - On IMS Appliances, when viewing a file it is now possible to review searches that have included the file as a result. This allows search records to be explored in the opposite sense of the Reporting -> Recent Searches page. To review the searches related to a file, open the file and click on the 'View Picture Info' icon immediately below the magnifying glass on the Picture Console. The search history of the file is displayed under the EXIF data. For further details, [http://documentation.thirdlight.com/html/appliance/index_CSH.html#TRACKING_SEARCHES] click here. - Search Results can now be sorted using a pull-down menu in the toolbox, displayed above search results. Sorting options include relevance, filename and date filtering. - After running a General Search, clicking the Advanced Search button converts the existing search into an Advanced Search and automatically prepares the Advanced Search form for adding additional clauses to the search. - Advanced Searches can now include General Search as a search method. This allows the sophisticated approach of General Search to be combined with the fields on the Advanced Search form for the best possible results. Adding Metadata To Albums (new) From 12 October, it will be possible to allocate metadata (information such as captions and keywords) to albums. Albums that have metadata provide several advantages, as follows: - When a search is performed, if the album matches then it will be returned in the search results. Clicking on the folder icon will open the album. - When a file is uploaded to an album that has metadata, the file will automatically receive a copy of the album's metadata. This allows newly-uploaded files to be automatically tagged with a full set of metadata. The concept of automatically tagging newly-uploaded files to IMS means potentially significant time savings, particularly in the common case where all of the files uploaded to a folder share a similar subject matter. Note: When files are uploaded, IMS searches for existing IPTC or XMP metadata. If found, this data takes priority over the album metadata. Security Updates (PCI DSS Compliance) (new) PCI DSS (Data Security Standard) is a stringent new security standard designed to protect information in stored in computer systems. It stipulates a range of technical and organisational measures for storing and handling credit card and login details securely. Third Light has now been approved as a PCI-compliant provider, meaning the IMS application and all of the data processes involved in our business and the maintenance of your site are secured to the highest standards. As a result of this change, a number of changes will be apparent in your IMS site this month: - IMS will prompt you to change your admin password at least annually. The password must be at least 8 characters in length, including upper and lowercase letters and at least one digit. You will be prompted to reset your password for the first time this month. - All logins on servers with e-Commerce will be handled via a secure (HTTPS) page. - If you pay your IMS subscription by card, your card details will be re-validated using Visa 3D Secure or MasterCard SecureCode as necessary, for instance, when you change your card details or pay an outstanding bill. - Effective this month, Maestro cards can no longer be used to pay IMS subscriptions, other than annual payments. e-Commerce sales are not affected. - Password details for newly-created accounts are no longer emailed to site administrators.For further details on PCI DSS, please [https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/security_standards/pci_dss.shtml] click here. Extended Security Option IMS has a further security measure called the Secure Password Policy module, which enforces password security for all users (not just admins). This module also removes the ability for password reminders to be issued, instead sending password reset links. From this month, all IMS owners, regardless of the package purchased, are entitled to use the Secure Password Policy module. Please contact support@thirdlight.com to activate secure password policy module if you would like to enhance the security of your site to the highest level. OpenID Authentication Module (Appliances) (new) OpenID is an authentication system, designed to allow web sites to use a common login from a trusted third party. The main benefit of OpenID is to avoid the need to sign up with a new account, instead using an existing account. For example, OpenID is often used to achieve 'single sign-on' on company intranets hosting multiple applications. IMS Appliances now include a module for OpenID authentication to support this increasingly important standard. For further details please contact support@thirdlight.com. Minor Changes And Bug Fixes We have made a number of small adjustments to IMS as follows: - Support for audio content: IMS Appliances now support in-browser audio playback of MP3, WAV, M4A, AAC and OGG Vorbis audio files. - Sort controls: Thumbnail pages now include a pull-down menu option to sort thumbnails. Sort options are also provided on search results pages, providing an extra way of filtering through results, as discussed above in this newsletter. - Finding orders: The order reference search box on the Manage Orders page now searches both on the Third Light reference and PhotoBox reference, simplifying the process for finding an order.[http://documentation.thirdlight.com/html/appliance/index_CSH.html#SEARCH_USER] - Template update: User interfaces now include the breadcrumb navigation bar in more places, allowing for easier navigation between nested albums, Smart Folders and Collections. Scheduled Maintenance - Tuesday 6 October 23:00 GMT As part of our ongoing performance upgrades, we are commissioning new server equipment on 6 October at 23:00 GMT. For approximately 30 minutes, services will be at risk as the new farm of servers is brought online. Although the new servers will enhance the performance of our service, please accept our apologies in advance for any inconvenience this work may cause you. IMS Appliances and Virtual Appliances are not affected. Feedback And Referrals We operate a referral scheme to reward any existing IMS customer who directs a new client to us. If you know of a business that would benefit from using IMS, please make an introduction - we'll provide a period of free use on your account if they buy one of our products. Every feature of IMS is based on your ideas and feedback. We keep a thorough record of all feedback and aim to implement the features that are most requested as part of our development plans. Simply email [mailto:features@thirdlight.com] features@thirdlight.com to send us your comments. For support questions, please use the Help menu support tool, as this allows us to track your queries and answer questions more efficiently. With regards, Third Light Ltd. The Digital Asset Management Specialists [http://www.thirdlight.com/] http://www.thirdlight.com/ ® 'Third Light' is a registered trademark of Third Light Ltd. © The contents of this newsletter are the copyright property of Third Light Ltd and may not be reproduced without written consent.