Update 3.4.1a: Coupon Codes & Infinite Loops

[Rutabaga]

Modular Merchant version 3.4.1a
Released 09/15/2008

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How do I update my Modular Merchant account?
For clients running version 3.x:
The next time you log in to your store Administration area, this update will automatically be installed.

If you're already logged in to your store's administration area when this update becomes available, then an icon stating "An Update is Available" will be displayed in the upper-right section of your Admin Home page. Click this icon to review the release notes, and then install the update by clicking the "Install this Update" button at the bottom of that page.

For clients running version 2.x:
Refer to this forum article for more information:
http://forums.modularmerchant.com/viewtopic/551/

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This update includes the following items:

• (3.4.1a) Retain Line Breaks setting
  Improved the performance of the "Retain Line Breaks" option in the following areas: Custom QuickCode Tag Editor, Custom Web Page Editor, and the Long Description, Short Description, Member's Only Content and Product Statistics in the Product Editor.
• (3.4.1a) Bandwidth Purchase Options
  Added base code to handle some new options that will soon become available for pre-purchasing bulk bandwidth at discounted rates.
• Resetting Coupon Codes & Values
  The system will now clear any coupon codes and related monetary discounts if a customer leaves the checkout process. For example: If a customer enters a coupon code, then returns to the storefront to add another product to their order, then returns the the checkout process, they will then need to re-enter their coupon code again.
  
  Previously, the coupon data would sometimes remain in tact in the scenario described above.
  
  This change was made for several reasons:
  1. To prevent coupon discounts from potentially getting out of sync when the customer changes the products in their basket.
  2. Potentially losing the coupon codes associated with an order (but retaining the discount value) if a customer makes a series of errors during the checkout process.
  3. Prevent a potential fraud tactic in which a customer could receive a coupon discount without actually using a coupon; essentially creating a coupon with infinite uses.
• Line Breaks in Submitted Data
  Certain types of line breaks (new line, carriage returns, and line feeds) will now be converted to their HTML code equivalents. This is done to conform to PCI compliance standards. The line break characters can be utilized in several scripting attacks by hackers. Changing these characters to their HTML equivalent will prevent this type of potential attack.
• Infinite loop when store closed
  Fixed a potential cause of an infinite loop when attempting to view a category page when a store is closed.
• Retention of Form Fields when Coupon Submitted
  Submitting a coupon code during the checkout process will no longer erase all the other fields on the page. The content of the other form fields will be retained whenever possible.
• Order Details Page
  The display of the message on the Order Details page has been improved if an order has a coupon discount applied to it, but no corresponding coupon code is found. (Previously, a bunch of JavaScript code would be displayed. Now, the following message is displayed, "No corresponding coupon code found".)
• Template Images
  Including files missing a file extension will no longer cause an error message to be displayed on the [Design > Template Images] page.
• QuickLinks on pages with SEO-Friendly URLs
  Using a "quick_return.php" link on a storefront page that uses SEO-friendly URLs (category, manufacturer, product and custom web pages) will no longer cause an infinite loop error message in the web browser.
• Improved Propagation Check
  Improved the method by which a domain's propagation will be checked during the hosting setup process. This will especially expedite the propagation process for accounts hosted behind a firewall with natted IPs.
• Manufacturer Data
  The Manufacturer Editor will better sanitize the data it submits to the store database.

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Rutabaga
Keeper of the Development Schedule
Modular Merchant Shopping Cart Software.