This Joomla Extension allows users to interact in the same way they are used on larger dating sites, and allowing you to enjoy the full power of Joomla. This Native Joomla 1.5.x MVC code does not require legacy plugin, and through 100% open source allows you to perform special tweaks for a better integration according to your needs.

Using a templating system (in this case we have a simple and an advanced system) your web site will keep a coherent look and a nice web 2.0 feeling.

released on February 18, 2010.   

• Re-factored most of the code, for better maintainability and easier extensibility.
• Improved some SQL queries for better performance.
• Improved router for better SEF URLs.
• Implemented three registration modes:

1. Overriding the Joomla's registration system (users only have to register once, a Joomla profile and a Love Factory profile are created at the same time) (uses the Love Factory plugin).

2. Using the Joomla registration system, but require users to fill in their Love Factorry profile before they can use any of the component's functions.

3. Using the Joomla registration system and do not require users to fillin their Love Factory profile (an empty profile will be created the first time they use the component's functions).

• Implemented a plugin system for Payment Gateways.
• Added option in the backend (enable/disable) to first sort the results of the search by the membership order and then by the user's selected criteria.
• Implemented an Infobar (uses the Love Factory plugin) to show information about new messages, interactions or pending friendship requests. This can be enabled/disabled from the backend and on a user level. From the backend the interval at which it refreshes can be set to reduce server load.
• Implemented Status box (enable/disable from backend): user can set their status about what are they doing right now. Maximum number of characters can be set from the backend.
• Implemented Wallpage (enable/disable from backend): shows recent activity from the user (status change, photo added, new comments or new ratings).
• New Module: Last visitors; users can see who who last visited their profile.
• Added several custom system fields:

A. Online status: shows the online status of the user; labels for the online and offline are editable.

B. Email: field used only when the registration mode is set to override; can be set to check for availability using ajax.

C. Password: field used only when the registration mode is set to override.

D. Password repeat: field used only when the registration mode is set to override.

E. Main photo upload: field used only when registering or when filling in the profile (users can be forced to upload a photo in order to use the site/component).

F. No. of friends: shows the number of friends of the user.

• The Title of custom fields (user or system fields) can be hidden (enable/disable) from the backend.
• The Labels of custom fields (user or system fields) can be set depending on the type of page being shown: view, edit or search. (For example: the field Date of birth on the edit page should be labeld as "Date of birth", but on the view page it should be labeld as "Age" and on the search page as "Age between").
• Custom fields of type Text area can be set to allow HTML tags.
• Custom fields of types Drop down (multiple select) and Checkboxes can be set their SQL query operand (OR/AND).
• Last seen custom field can be set to show the date in regular mode or in "x days ago" mode.
• Main photo custom field can be set to link to user's profile page, user's gallery page or no link at all.
• Sex custom field can be set to show in 2 modes: Drop down (single select) or Radio buttons.
• Looking for field can be set to show in 4 modes: Drop down (single select), Radio buttons, Drop down (multiple select) or Checkboxes; using the last 2 options, users can have a multiple selection choice.
• Username field on the registration page can be set to check the availability using ajax.
• Improved the pages creation page: zones can be moved around using drag and drop functionality.
• Added 2 more customizable pages using custom fields: profile fill in page and friends list view page.
• Users can hide/show the search form.
• Search results can now be ordered by Number of photos or friends.
• Redesigned the profile view page, added more ajax functionalities for a better user experience.
• Added a quick reply mode to received messages.
• Changed the memberships implementation: all the memberships sold, are now being saved. For example: user A buys membership B for 1 year which allowes him to have a maximum of 10 friends. Six months later the administrator decides that 10 maximum friends are to much for membership B and reduces the number to 5. User A won't be affected by the change, as the membership was saved and it will be applied for the remaining six months. Also, if a user buys a membership for unlimited time, then this membership will be used if no other membership is active.

The new major version is coming with significant improvements and desired features like just seen.

Also the new version, although a new major version, is provided for free upon request to all existing license holders. Visit the contact us page and our customer FAQ.

Upgrading instructions from 1.2.x to 1.3.0.

BEFORE ALL THIS BACK-UP YOUR SITE COMPLETELY!!!
We are not responsible of any loss, etc.

1. First you'll need to backup the data from the 1.2.x version. Go to backend, Backup and Restore, Backup tab, set Include settings to Yes if you want to save the current settings and Include photos' name to Yes if you want to save the photos (please take note that the photo files are not backed up, you will have to manually backup the photos folder to another location, and after the update, move it back).
2. Uninstall Love Factory version 1.2.x.
3. Install Love Factory version 1.3.0.
4. Go to Backup and Restore, Restore tab, select from the Backup file field the backup file saved on step 1, and hit Restore.
5. If you set Yes to Inlcude the photos' name, copy the backed up photos folder to components\com_lovefactory\storage\