Joomla! 1.1 Alpha 1 Release

[masterchief]

An Alpha of the next version of Joomla!, version 1.1, is now available
for download. 

http://developer.joomla.org/sf/frs/do/v ... _1_x.1_1_0

This next version includes several new features and improvements:

* Translation of the administrator
* Introduction of basic right-to-left language support for templates
* Better SSL support
* SEF now pluggable via the use of mambots
* Many other small improvements

The purpose of this Alpha is to gauge the stability of the current development and allow third-party developers and translators to test, make suggestions or perhaps find flaws.  Not all features are implemented fully and this release is certainly not suitable for production.

Do not under any circumstances upgrade your live site with this version.

To be able to handle all languages correctly we are moving towardsUTF-8.  It's clear that this transistion will cause some problems for certain sites (mainly non-english). We predict there will be problems with upgrading from an existing db, and also with the use of some string related PHP functions. We are aware of these issues and will be working with members of the community knowledgable in these areas to develop solutions.

For those who are trying out this version, please post any issues on our Quality and Testing forum:
http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/board,199.0.html

An Alpha 2 is planned to be released, the timing for which will depend on feedback from the community.