Second Site News #082
28 May 2018
Second Site Version 7.00 Released
This is the first paid upgrade for Second Site since February, 2016, more than two years ago. There are a couple new Formats and some other changes. Please read the remainder of this newsletter and see the Change Log for a list of all changes.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that went into effect on 25 May 2018 contains requirements that often apply to HTTP cookies. Prior to this release, Second Site would sometimes use HTTP cookies, but not to gather personally-identifiable information. Someone visiting or assessing the site might assume otherwise.
As of this release, Second Site no longer uses HTTP cookies. In prior versions, Second Site would use HTTP cookies when Web storage was not available. As of this version, Second Site will only use Web storage. There is no loss of functionality because Web storage is now supported by all current browsers. Web storage does not share information with a server, and the contents of the data stored in Web storage by Second Site are not sent to a server some other way, so GDPR regulations do not apply.
Google Maps Platform
On May 2, 2018, Google announced changes that affect users of Second Site's Map User Item. For Second Site users, the most important change is the requirement to create a billing account to continue using the Google Maps API. Prior to this change, Second Site users had to register to use the API, but it was not necessary to create a billing account.
Even though you must create a billing account, Google is still providing a free tier that includes $200 of free monthly usage. For most if not all Second Site users, that will be more than enough to avoid a fee. However, you must create a billing account. Also, you may want to configure your API key and place a cap on your usage that prevents you from using more than the free amount.
If you are using a Google Maps API key, Google has already sent you an email message announcing the changes and explaining what steps to take. If you did not receive that message, please read Google's announcement.
There are no changes required in Second Site. You must continue to provide a Google Maps API key in the Site Section, as was true before the policy change by Google.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: I just bought Second Site 6. Do I have to pay for the upgrade?
- A: See the Recent Purchases section of this newsletter.
- Q: Will Second Site 7 read an SDF file written by Second Site 6?
- A: Yes, Second Site 7 will read an SDF file written by Second Site 2 through Second Site 6. Properties and settings that have been changed in Second Site 7 are converted automatically.
The opposite is not true: do not open a Second Site 7 SDF file using a prior version of Second Site.
- Q: Will my custom Theme, Format, etc., still work in Second Site 7?
- A: Yes.
- Q: Will my current preferences, such as the User Data Folder assignment, carry over to Second Site 7?
- A: Second Site 7 will read your preferences from Second Site 6. This affects your UDF setting, default editor, and other settings that you manage via the File > Preferences command in Second Site. If you are upgrading from an older version, you may have to update the preferences manually.
Even though Second Site 7 will read preferences set by Second Site 6, it's a good idea to review your preferences after you upgrade to make sure they are set the way you want.
Some preferences, such as window sizes and positions, are reset when you upgrade.
Recent Purchases
Customers who purchased the full version of Second Site 6 on or after April 1, 2018 will receive a free license for Second Site 7. The license will be sent to the email address associated with that purchase. Customers who qualify for the free license should not purchase the upgrade or the full program. Customers who qualify for a free license but make a purchase anyway will be charged a handling fee equal to the upgrade fee.
Customers who recently purchased the upgrade to Second Site 6 are not eligible for a discount; they should purchase the Second Site 7 Upgrade. See the Purchases page.
If you purchased prior to April 1, 2018, even by only a day or two, you do not qualify for the free upgrade. I know it can be frustrating to miss a cutoff date by a small margin, but there are always customers who are just outside the cutoff date no matter when that date is. Second Site is updated fairly frequently, and most of the updates are free. I am confident that the longer you have Second Site, the more you will think it's a good value.
Upgrading to Second Site 7
Upgrading is easy! Install the new version and then open your current Second Site SDF file with Second Site 7.
Downloads
Second Site is available via download only. See the Downloads page.
Purchases
For purchasing information, see the Purchases page.