We’ve released a major overhaul of the poll module. Improvements:

• Sitecore 6 support, including using Page Editor to modify existing polls
• New polls can be added using Sitecore 6 Page Editor
• Staging support
• AJAX voting
• Fully automated installation
• Simplified architecture: the module no longer uses an additional database, which also allowed us to completely remove the settings application
• Better looks
• Easier customization: we’re using more xhtml and css, and less tables. Instead of c# webcontrol code, we’re using an ascx sublayout that is much easier to tweak without having to compile the code
• Refactored code and reviewed design

The Poll module is part of Sitecore shared source program, and it stays that way. However we’ve dedicated our QA and development to reshape the module and release a clean and well tested Sitecore 6 version. We used the same open svn/trac server for entire development process, and you can see change history.

From now on, the module continues its life as a shared source component, meaning that you can (and very welcome to) contribute. I was doing product management type of work on the project, while Michael Baranov gets all the praise for beautifying the code.

My favorite feature is the ability to add new polls directly through the Sitecore 6 Page Editor.

1. Click “Insert Poll”

2. Setup poll using a pop-up wizard

3. Select a placeholder

4. Done.

You can also edit existing polls from the Page Editor:

Content layout is changed, so that you’re no longer required to store all polls in a single location. This setup beautifully supports multisite solutions.

And bugs, lots of bugs were fixed:

Hope you like the update. Downloads, documentation and source code are all available at http://trac.sitecore.net/Poll.