What are the new features in 3.3? And when will it be officially announced on your website?
 
Thanks!

all info to the above is here
 
http://www.viart.com/any_idea_when_v33_will_be_released.html ;)

Isn't 3.3 coming out officially today?

Sorry, October 12th. I'm a day ahead of myself. Gee, and edit post function sure would be handy!

Well, guess we'll see it today, will we?
I'm skeptical somewhat...

Hello,
 
The Viart Shop 3.3 release will be issued today in the evening. We shall make an announcement.
 
Best regards,
ViArt Support Team

Thanks Juliya!
Will I be able to upgrade it from my admin panel?
Will my utf-8 encoded database still work after such update? (normal backup of it using export option in admin fails).

Hello,
 
Kindly, find below the answerы to your questions.
  
To perform an upgrade to a new version, you are to make the following steps:
 
- make a backup of all files in your current version
- make a backup of your current database
- rewrite all files from your current version by new ones (except ones you've changed, e.g. templates, styles, images). The latest version can be downloaded from viart.com (http://www.viart.com/Free_Evaluation_Download)
- you should leave 'old' file /includes/var_definition.php
- run 'Administration > System > System Upgrade' - this should upgrade your database structure.
 
You can find more information in our online manual
http://www.viart.com/php_shopping_cart_backing_up.html
http://www.viart.com/ecommerce_system_upgrading.html
  
Starting from this 3.3 version we will inlude an extra folder with messages in utf-8 coding format specifically for utf-8 encoded databases.
 
With kind regards,
ViArt Support Team
 
 

Dear Anjula,
thank you wholeheartedly for the detailed reply!
(just hope I won't spoil it all somehow now)

P.S. special thanks for "Starting from this 3.3 version we will inlude an extra folder with messages in utf-8 coding format specifically for utf-8 encoded databases."