Category: Programming

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🚀 What’s New in Tendenci T16 (v16.0)

tendenci open source v16.0 upgrade

The major release of Tendenci v16.0 marks a significant step forward for this open-source association management platform. Released on March 30, 2026, T16 focuses heavily on modernization, performance, and aligning with the latest backend technologies.

Major Highlights

  1. Upgrade to Modern Core Technologies
    The most impactful change in Tendenci v16.0 is its move to newer backend standards:
    Requires Django 5.2 LTS
    Drops support for:
    • Django 4.2 LTS
    • Python 3.8 and 3.9
    • PostgreSQL 13
      👉 This ensures better long-term security, performance, and compatibility with modern Python ecosystems.
  2. ⚠️ Breaking Changes You Should Know
    • T16 is not a drop-in upgrade. These changes may require planning:
    • All projects must be compatible with Django 5.2
    • Older Python environments (3.8/3.9) will no longer work
    • Database upgrades may be required if you’re on PostgreSQL 13 or earlier
      💡 Tip: If you use custom plugins or addons, verify they’re updated for Django 5.2 before upgrading.
  3. 🔄 Upgrade Path from T15
    If you’re currently on T15:
    • Follow the official upgrade guide (recommended by Tendenci)
      Ensure:
    • Dependencies are updated
    • Add-ons are compatible
    • Backup is completed before migration
      🤓The transition is straightforward if your stack is already modern—but older installs may need extra work.
  4. 🧠 Why This Release Matters
    • Unlike previous releases (like T15, which introduced UI and feature improvements), T16 is about technical evolution:
    • Keeps Tendenci aligned with the latest Django ecosystem
    • Improves long-term maintainability
    • Reduces security risks from outdated dependencies
      🩵In short: Tendenci v16.0 lays the groundwork for future innovation.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Tendenci Open Source Community for your continued contributions and dedication. A special acknowledgment goes to Jenny Qian for her leadership in ensuring the Tendenci repository remains safe, secure, and well-maintained.

TendenciDEV Team🤓🐾

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Tendenci Exports – Plus Easy Ways to Make Static Copies of Your Site

Today’s Tendenci community knowledge share. Here are three very easy free or low cost methods of making a static copy a web site. Use with caution, just know you have the power.

On Windows you can use HTTrack https://www.httrack.com/

HTTrack_Website_Copier_-_Free_Software_Offline_Browser__GNU_GPL_
Download a static version of a web site to your PC

On a Mac computer you can use sitesucker ($5) http://ricks-apps.com/osx/sitesucker/index.html

SiteSucker to download a static site to your Mac Computer
SiteSucker to download a static site to your Mac Computer

On the go? You can also use sitesucker from the app store to download to your iphone or ipad for $2 http://ricks-apps.com/ios/sitesucker/index.html

Use IOS to download your site for $2
Use IOS to download your site for $2

Of course for structured data in Tendenci, there are TONS of ways to export including exporting a copy of your entire database. There are help files on common exports like How to export your membership . There are too many options to list them all, but I’d encourage you to visit the support center or just google “tendenci exports” for more.

If you are on version 5 and want to “kick the tires” on Tendenci version 7, use https://demo.tendenci.com – you can login here https://demo.tendenci.com/accounts/login/ using “admin/admin” or “user/user”. It does reset every hour or so because of spammers but you can still get a feel for it. A HUGE upgrade from version 5.

Tendenci Admin Default Dashboard
Tendenci Admin Default Dashboard

There is also a previous post on making a static copy of your site here that is a bit more technical as well.

Why do we point out all of the ways to copy your Tendenci site (or most sites really)? Doesn’t that make it easier to leave?

Yes. Yes it does. BUT people rarely leave. Or if they do, they typically stay on Tendenci and self host. They’re still part of the Tendenci community which helps us all.

Another reason we promote exports and offsite backups is because we know the more freedom you have, realizing you have that freedom especially on the Tendenci open source platform, makes it less likely for clients to leave.

Think about it. Why would anyone who actually understands their product is open, does far more than other options, is lower cost, and they can self host if they want… why would that person make the decision to leave? It’s illogical.

I mean, who wants to be the President of an Association that takes it backwards in time to proprietary technology or an older open source software built on an unpopular programming language? That’s not in the best interests of the association long term.

Tendenci is written in Python and uses Java and Javascript libraries. This linked chart says it all.

programming-popularity-2016
THE 8 MOST IN-DEMAND PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES OF 2016

Popular programming languages means more coders for open source projects written in that language. And more capable people to modify and customize your install if you choose.

One of our goals is FREEDOM from the tyranny of per-user-licensing, proprietary products that want to own YOUR DATA, long term contracts, sites that post your events on THEIR site so if you leave then the history of that event is gone in the blink of an eye. Companies don’t own your data and they shouldn’t trap you.

We think that is unethical and just wrong.

Membership Management Software should be Open Source, Accessible, Responsive, and Search Engine friendly by default. Tendenci does all of those things.

Further we believe that Open Source Membership Management Software should be written in a Modern Programming Language like Python (watch out for bunnies) and the software should documented and open source (free, as in beer.) Even the US Government likes Open Source!

Want to change something? Get involved! Post on the forums at https://ww.tendenci.com/forums or post an issue at https://github.com/tendenci/tendenci/issues . If you are a programmer or into documentation, submit a pull request.

We make it easy to leave because we hope you don’t. Hence Tendenci has an incredibly low churn rate. That creates stability you can count on.

#peace