We're continually striving to improve Web Community Manager!
See the latest changes for Blackboard Web Community Manager.
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Web Community Manager 2023 Release (2.70)
Release 2.70 available on 28 Feb 2023
Feature upgrade
-
Public key expiry alert notification
- Admins will be notified by email and pop-up alerts to update their SAML public key before and after it expires.
Security enhancements
Web Community Manager 2023 Release (2.69)
Release 2.69 available on 31 Jan 2023
Feature upgrades
- We integrated Azure AD into SAML single sign on authentication.
- Administrators can add the public keys for SAML authentication in the Site Manager. View the instructions for setting up SAML authentication.
Bug fixes
- Security enhancements
- We squashed a bug in the Doc Viewer app that prevented the uploaded documents from loading.
Web Community Manager 2022 Release (2.66)
Release 2.66 available 18 Oct 2022
Release 2.66 includes updated features and minor bug fixes.
Updated features
-
404 page set up
- We're introducing a new feature to configure your 404 page. Create a 404 page with your custom message to show when users stumble upon a URL on your website which may have been removed or moved.
- You can preview the look and feel of your 404 content before saving. You can also set up to direct users to your homepage to avoid abandonment.
- We've simplified the UI design to improve performance.
-
Page level editing
- We've improved the visual hierarchy in pages for page editors who have access to sub-pages.
-
Headlines and Announcements app
- You can show up to 25 updates on the Headlines and Features app and the Announcements app to your users.
Bug fix
- We've improved the accessibility.
- We've fixed a bug to show the hierarchical display of multi-level bullets to personalize and emphasize list items when formatting your text.
Web Community Manager 2022 Release (2.64)
Continuous Delivery 2.64 | Release to Production Jul 2022
New feature, Updated features, bug fixes
Here's what the product release (2.64) includes:
- New features
- Updated features
- Bug fixes
New feature:
We've introduced translation settings in the Site Manager with optional Weglot translation services.
Updated feature:
- TinyMCE editor is enhanced with the below features:
- Link checker: This allows users to verify valid links.
- Power paste: This allows users to copy and paste the content with the formatting.
- Contextual warning messages incorporated to the content versioning panel.
Bug fixes
- Performance improvements
- Minor bugs.
Web Community Manager 2022 Release (2.63)
Continuous Delivery 2.63 | Release to Production Jun 2022
Updated features, bug fixes
Here's what the product release (2.63) includes:
- Updated features
- Bug fixes
Updated features:
-
Content versioning
- Exempt Facebook, Twitter, and divider apps from versioning.
-
Page layouts
- New page layouts are added to the page editor, section assets, and page types.
-
TinyMCE
- The accessibility checker won’t flag decorative images marked by users as missing the alt-text attribute.
- Removed the ellipsis option from the TinyMCE editor toolbar.
- Fixed an issue with the solid bullet formatting.
-
Security enhancements
Bug fixes
-
Mini base app
- Fixed an issue where the labels in the Mini base app overflowed from text fields on some browsers in Mac OS and iOS devices.
Performance improvements
Web Community Manager 2022 Release (2.62)
Continuous Delivery 2.62 | Release to Production May 2022
Updated features, bug fixes
Here's what the product release (2.62) includes:
- Updated features
- Bug fixes
Updated features:
Improvements to Content Versioning:
- Preview historical versions of all single record apps.
- View who created the versions.
- Show title changes to apps in version history.
Improvements to the Integrated Staff Directory app:
*The integrated Staff Directory will be released to a restricted group of early adopters.
- Options to configure the fields for the school directory in the Site Manager.
- Show the social media links as icons.
- The header section is hidden.
- Show phone numbers as links.
- Search Staff using the title.
Improved accessibility standards for the Integrated Staff Directory app:
- Fixed an issue of alternate formats not showing consistently for some documents.
- Fixed a template update issue in the MyWay Ultra Titan template.
Site managers can set page-level editors.
Bug fixes:
- Security enhancements
- Enhanced accessibility standards in mini base, links, calendar, and staff directory apps.
Web Community Manager 2022 Release (2.60)
Continuous Delivery 2.60 | Release to Production Feb 2022
Security enhancements, updated features
Here's what the product release (2.60) includes:
- Security enhancements
- Updated features
Security enhancements
Updated features:
- We've removed the website embed iframe option from the TinyMCE editor toolbar.
Web Community Manager 2021 Release 2 (2.52)
Here's what the Product Release 2 (2.52) includes:
- Updated features
- Minor enhancements
- Bug fixes
Design ready template information
Our Design Ready Templates require updates when defects are found, accessibility guidelines change, new WCM features change, etc. We've made it easier for you to keep track of updates with our subscription service. When an update has been applied to a Design Ready Template that you have subscribed to, you receive an email with the release information. You can review the release information before clicking the "Update" button for the template.
Minor enhancements and bug fixes
- Photo Gallery App
- Fixed an issue where editing the existing photo in existing Photo Gallery app and also the newly uploaded and published photo on the existing Photo Gallery app wasn't getting reflected.
- Fixed an issue with photo adjustment in the app
- Added an alt-text field
- Accessibility
- Decorative images in apps are now hidden from assistive technologies.
- Added image alt-text field.
Technical Requirements
Here are the Web Community Manager End-User Technical Requirements and the Blackboard Privacy Policy updated to reflect the Blackboard brand.
Refresh Your Cache
It's always a good practice to clear your browser cache on a regular basis. Refresh your Cache shows you how to clear your cache in any browser.
Resources and Materials
As always, you can find resources and materials related to this release as well as to the many features and functions on the Help site. Core Resources, Hot Help Topics, Apps Showroom, Training and Creative—we’ve got the information you need to succeed with your Web Community Manager website.
Web Community Manager 2021 Release 1(2.51)
Here's what the Product Release 1 (2.51) includes:
- Updated features
- Minor enhancements
- Bug fixes
Template configuration window
App Preview is a new button within the template configuration window. It opens a menu that allows clients to rearrange apps and preview what the layout looks like in any region of the template. This feature allows clients to test colors and other element settings with all apps in all regions before going live with a new template.
Design ready template information
Our Design Ready Templates require updates when defects are found, accessibility guidelines change, new WCM features change, etc. We've made it easier for you to keep track of updates with our subscription service. When an update has been applied to a Design Ready Template that you have subscribed to, you receive an email with the release information. You can review the release information before clicking the "Update" button for the template.
Minor enhancements and bug fixes
- Security enhancements
Web Community Manager 2021 Release 12 (2.50)
Here's what the Product Release 12 (2.50) includes:
- Updated features
- Minor enhancements
- Bug fixes
Template configuration window
App Preview is a new button within the template configuration window. It opens a menu that allows clients to rearrange apps and preview what the layout looks like in any region of the template. This feature allows clients to test colors and other element settings with all apps in all regions before going live with a new template.
Design ready template information
Our Design Ready Templates require updates when defects are found, accessibility guidelines change, new WCM features change, etc. We've made it easier for you to keep track of updates with our subscription service. When an update has been applied to a Design Ready Template that you have subscribed to, you receive an email with the release information. You can review the release information before clicking the "Update" button for the template.
Minor enhancements and bug fixes
- Security enhancements
Web Community Manager 2020 Release 11 (2.49)
Here's what the 2020 Product Release 11 (2.49) includes:
- Updated features
- Minor enhancements
- Bug fixes
Template configuration window
App Preview is a new button within the template configuration window. It opens a menu that allows clients to rearrange apps and preview what the layout looks like in any region of the template. This feature allows clients to test colors and other element settings with all apps in all regions before going live with a new template.
Design ready template information
Our Design Ready Templates require updates when defects are found, accessibility guidelines change, new WCM features change, etc. We've made it easier for you to keep track of updates with our subscription service. When an update has been applied to a Design Ready Template that you have subscribed to, you receive an email with the release information. You can review the release information before clicking the "Update" button for the template.
Minor enhancements and bug fixes
- Improved page caching
- Security enhancements
Web Community Manager 2020 Release 6 (2.44)
Here's what the 2020 Product Release 6 (2.44) includes:
- New and Classic Page Editing update
- New Site Manager design
- Design ready template updates
- Bug fixes
Activate Your Free Crisis Subsite For Consolidated Coronavirus Communications
As your partner in education we have a responsibility to give you the best resources for communicating with your community about updates regarding the Coronavirus. To help you create one location to share information, we are offering you a crisis subsite at no charge until the outbreak is resolved.
We recommend you populate this subsite with important information on Coronavirus, including school schedule changes, best practices for cleanliness, and state and local guidelines. This will allow you to keep your community informed while managing all the content in one location. To help you get started, here's an example of what a crisis site might look like.
Crisis template download steps
- Navigate to Configure in Site Manager
- Select Templates
- Under available templates select Standard
- Select Download & Preview next to Crisis Management
- Select I’m done when the popup of the template shows
- Select More and select License
- Select the Inactive button to the left of the template name
Subsite activation steps
- Navigate to Sites in Site Manager
- Add the Crisis template to New Subsite
- Select the Inactive button to the left of the site name
We expect you'll see increased traffic on these pages and recommend these best practices when building out your content:
- Avoid using record-based apps like the Headlines & Features or Blog apps. These apps open the content in separate, non-cached pages, which may slow page performance.
- Keep your content simple. Limit images, rotating galleries, videos, and embedded documents and stick with just text. When your site is likely to receive unusually heavy traffic, it’s better to use available resources to serve relatively simple content to very large numbers of visitors.
- Create a friendly URL (e.g. /coronavirus), but always directly hyperlink to your subsite when directing people there from other channels.
- If your template is resource-intensive (e.g. it makes use of Mega Menus in the Channel Bar, Media Rotator, etc.), performance may be impacted. You might consider discussing alternatives with your account team and/or Creative Services.
Blackboard is dedicated to working with you and your district to ensure you’re able to get critical information out to your students, their families, and the community in a timely manner. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team at [email protected] for assistance.
Web Community Manager 2020 Release 2 (2.40)
Here's what the 2020 Product Release 2 (2.40) includes:
- New Site Manager design
- Design ready template updates
- Bug fixes
Web Community Manager 2020 Release 1 (2.39)
Here's what the 2020 Product Release 1 (2.39) includes:
- New Site Manager design
- Design ready template updates
- Bug fixes
Web Community Manager 2019 Release 8 (2.38)
Here's what the 2019 Product Release 8 (2.38) includes:
- New Site Manager design
- Design ready template updates
- Bug fixes
Web Community Manager 2019 Release 3 (2.33)
Here is what the 2019 Product Release 3 (2.33) includes:
- Design template updates
- Bug fixes
Web Community Manager 2019 Release 2 (2.32)
Here is what the 2019 Product Release 2 (2.32) includes:
- New page editing on the homepage
- Updated features
- Bug fixes
Web Community Manager 2018 Release 9 (2.30)
Here is what the 2018 Product Release 9 (2.30) includes:
- Updated features
- Bug fixes
Design Ready Templates Updates
New updates for Ally customers
The latest release of Ally (v. 1.23) contains bug fixes and other improvements that may apply to your product. Visit the Ally release notes to learn more. Don't have Ally? Learn more about Ally.
Web Community Manager 2018 Release 8 (2.29)
Here is what the 2018 Product Release 8 (2.29) includes:
- New features
- Updated issues
Web Community Manager 2018 Release 7 (2.28)
Here is what the 2018 Product Release 7 (2.28) includes:
- Updated features
- Resolved issues
New updates for Ally customers
The latest release of Ally (v. 1.19.4) contains bug fixes and other improvements that may apply to your product. Visit the Ally 1.19.4 release notes to learn more. Don't have Ally? Learn more about Ally.
New updates for Ally customers
The latest release of Ally (v. 1.19) contains bug fixes and other improvements that may apply to your product. Visit the Ally 1.19 release notes to learn more. Don't have Ally? Learn more about Ally.
New updates for Ally customers
The latest release of Ally (v. 1.17) contains bug fixes and other improvements that may apply to your product. Visit the Ally release notes to learn more. Don't have Ally? Learn more about Ally.
Web Community Manager 2018 Release 5 (2.26)
Here is what the 2018 Product Release 5 (2.26) includes:
- Headlines & Features app improvement
- Bug fixes and resolved issues
Web Community Manager 2018 Release 4 (2.25)
Here is what the 2018 Product Release 4 (2.25) includes:
- Calendar improvement
- Accessibility improvements
- Bug fixes and resolved issues
New updates for Ally customers
The latest release of Ally (v. 1.16.2) contains bug fixes and other improvements that may apply to your product. Visit the Ally 1.16.2 release notes to learn more. Don't have Ally? Learn more about Ally.
Web Community Manager 2018 Release 3 (2.24)
Here is what the 2018 Product Release 3 (2.24) includes:
- Calendar updates
- Table app improvements
- Bug fixes and resolved issues
Web Community Manager 2018 Release 2 (2.23)
Continuous Delivery 2.23 | Release to Production April 2018
New Features, Updated features
Here is what the 2018 Product Release 2 (2.23) includes.
- Disable self registration
- Improvements to social media sharing
- Updates to SAML certificates
- Updates to Blackboard Ally widget
- Closed caption file option with the Premium Video App
- CERC help content migration to help.blackboard.com
Web Community Manager 2018 Release 1 (2.22)
Continuous Delivery 2.22 | Release to Production February 2018
New Features, Updated features
Here is what the 2018 Release 1 (2.22) includes.
- Continuous integration with Blackboard Ally
- Calendar upgrades
- Resolved issues
Web Community Manager 2017 Release 5 (2.21)
Here is what the 2017 Product Release 5 (2.21) includes.
- Blackboard Ally for Web Community Manager
- Resolved issues
Web Community Manager 2017 Release 4 (2.20)
- New Sign-in With Google Login
- Cloud Storage Dropbox Integration
- Page Editing Experience Enhancements
- Dashboard Personalization Enhancements
- Paging For Apps With Many Records Enhancements
- Added support for SAML for Active Directory Federation Services ADFS4.0
Web Community Manager 2017 Release 3 (2.19)
- Legacy WYSIWYG Editor Upgrade
- Cloud Storage Integration
- New Image Editor
- Page Editing Experience Enhancements
- Dashboard Enhancements
- On-screen Alerts Enhancements
- Section Recycle Bin Enhancements
- New PassKeys
Web Community Manager 2017 Release 2 (2.18)
- Update to Google Custom Search
- New page editing experience now available
- Integrated Dashboard supports student accounts and includes all assignments by class
- User Management lets you see where a user can edit
- New PassKeys have been added to the library: Bb Classroom, SkyCentral Community Engagement Engine
- New Section Recycle Bin to house deleted sections until permanently deleted or restored
- Email addresses in the Staff Directory app and About Teacher app will be obfuscated to protect them from being harvested by bots
- File Library App enhanced to link to the file from the title and now opens PDFs in the browser
- A link to download the file has been added to the Document Viewer app
- LDAP Group Cross Reference supports searching for Group DNs
