Reaching for The Stars of WordPress Plugins
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Reaching for The Stars of WordPress Plugins
John's Intro:
It's Episode 582 and we have plugins for Admin Speedo's, Night Stars, Dino Games, Go Maps, Traffic Jammer, Lazy DMing… and ClassicPress Options. It's all coming up on WordPress Plugins A-Z!
– ‘good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you happen to be hiding out there on the globe today! Coming to you LIVE from …'
Amber's Rant:
Welcome to Episode 582 – Reaching for The Stars of WordPress Plugins – This is episode 42 for 2022! Are you ready the snow? It's threatening its icy breath this next week over here on our little island, and I know it's already falling on the mainland! Be sure to grab your warmest clothes, and keep those ears and hands covered!
A Message from your AtoZ Plugin Worker Bee's – This is a Value for Value show, meaning any value you find here, offer that same value back! We accept all currencies including time and talent currency! Chocolate is always good too…
Remember, don't skip the end of the show – you never know what kind of amazing life altering advice you might catch! Like how to fill your site as full of spam as possible…
A special note to our New Listeners: Don't be shy to ask your questions. No such thing as a dumb question, Dumbo the elephant agrees!
…When you see this in the notes, this means we didn't read this onto the show, and that the only way to find this information out is to read our Show Notes!
…You can send any questions/suggestions or notes saying ‘hi' over to me at amber@wppro.ca, or hit up our site wpppluginsatoz.com/contact – Be creative with the title so that the spammer eater doesn't eat your note though!
Let's start the show with this weeks Featured Artist:
Artist: JSaliba
We are lacking in new art, so we went digging deep into the archives – and we found THIS beauty!
Loving the space vibe, kinda makes me think about John's ship in FarScape. Very cool!
Feeling Inspired? Hit up our site at https://wppluginsatoz.com/artwork/ and submit some artwork of your own!
…We can NEVER have too much art!
Or check out allll the artwork at: https://wppluginsatoz.com/artwork/
Breaking News in the WordPress World at large!!
…If I missed something, shoot me a link at amber@wppro.ca – it may show up on the next show!
News this week:
– WordPress Vulnerability Report – November 23, 2022 (https://ithemes.com/blog/wordpress-vulnerability-report-november-23-2022/):
WordPress Core is dropping support for WordPress Versions 3.7 – 4.0, be aware of this.
There are quite a few Plugin Vulnerabilities this week, a lot of them well known:
ultimate Tables, WooSwipe WooCommerce Gallery, Image Hover Effects, Donation Button, Hello Print, Buddybadges, iFeature Slider. There are more, so be sure to check out the link in our shownotes.
– WordPress launches Developer Blog in Beta (https://wptavern.com/wordpress-launches-developer-blog-in-beta) – This is a blog just for the developers out there; it has gone into beta as of the end of last week, and the goal of this is to have developer-focused communications. This should hopefully help developers to stay on top of the new features coming into play, help developers to talk to one another, and hopefully will help to get information out there to help find and fix issues before they become too serious.
– Divi 5.0 aims to bring greater compatibility with Gutenberg (https://wptavern.com/divi-5-0-aims-to-bring-greater-compatibility-with-gutenberg) – Divi is a popular commercial WordPress theme and page builder created by Elegant Themes, and has announced that in their version 5.0 they will be having a complete rewrite of Divi's core technologies. The update is expected to be released in beta next year, and is going to focus on performance, stability, scalability, and extendability – though is not introducing anything new. One of the most notable changes is that they will be migrating away from shortcodes, moving to a new JSON format that is more similar to Gutenberg stores data, thus making it more compatible.
– BuddyPress 11.0.0 to limit JavaScript and CSS asset loading to Community Pages using a filter (https://wptavern.com/buddypress-11-0-0-to-limit-javascript-and-css-asset-loading-to-community-pages-using-a-filter) – What this means, is that BuddyPress is changing the way it loads its JavaScript and CSS assets so that they will only load up on community pages, rather than on every page as they currently do. This is something that has been commonly requested by BuddyPress's users, and they are now getting to it.
– State of the Word 2022 will be livestreamed from New York City on December 15 (https://wptavern.com/state-of-the-word-2022-will-be-livestreamed-from-new-york-city-on-december-15) – The annual State of the Word (SOTW) address will be delivered in New York City this year in front of a live audience on December 15th. The format is similar to last year, though on a larger scale. The Q&A portiaon of the event will be handled via email for virtual participants, so if you have a question you can send in an email. You will find the information through the link in our shownotes.
– Europe wants to harness the power of the sun… from space (https://thenextweb.com/news/europe-esa-want-to-harness-power-of-sun-from-space) – This is a very interesting article explaining how Europe just might be able to harness the power of the sun from space! Essentially, they would use solar panels in space to absorb the energy, then beam it down to the solar panels on earth to charge Europe up. Very cool idea.
ClassicPress News:
…Our News Section really isn't complete without ClassicPress News…
A message from ClassicPress!
It may not seem that way, but the team actively works on ClassicPress and its related projects. You can track core development progress by visiting our GitHub repository or reading transcripts from our weekly core meetings.There is a new Blog Post available on the ClassicPress site!
New at ClassicPress: Security Release, GitHub Issue Templates, And Morehttps://www.classicpress.net/new-at-classicpress-security-release-github-issue-templates-more/
ClassicPress has projects they are looking to have some support with. They have a page with these projects listed and who the contact is for the project. Check out the following page if you are using ClassicPress and are interested in helping them move forward! https://forums.classicpress.net/t/currently-active-projects/3630
They also have some petitions posted check them out!
…For some up to date news on ClassicPress check out the ClassicPress Blog.
The Extras – check out our Facebook, or Twitter page for even more!
…Here you will find news on tech in general, and some random things I think are pretty nifty! If you come across something you think should be added, send me a link at amber@wppro.ca
– Researches detail AppSync Cross-Tenant Vulnerability in Amazon Web Services (https://thehackernews.com/2022/11/researchers-detail-appsync-cross-tenant.html)
– Over a dozen new BMC Firmware flaws expost OT and IoT devices to remote attackers (https://thehackernews.com/2022/11/over-dozen-new-bmc-firmware-flaws.html)
– Elon Musk confirms Twitter 2.0 will bring end-to-end encryption to direct messages (https://thehackernews.com/2022/11/elon-musk-confirms-twitter-20-will.html)
– US bans Chinese Telecom equipment and surveillance cameras over national security risk (https://thehackernews.com/2022/11/us-bans-chinese-telecom-equipment-and.html)
– Russia-based RansomBoggs ransomware targets several Ukrainian organizations (https://thehackernews.com/2022/11/russia-based-ransomboggs-ransomware.html)
– Update Chrome Browser now to patch new actively exploited Zero-Day flaw (https://thehackernews.com/2022/11/update-chrome-browser-now-to-patch-new.html)
– Dell, HP, and Lenobo devices found using outdated OpenSSL versions (https://thehackernews.com/2022/11/dell-hp-and-lenovo-devices-found-using.html)
– 5.4 million Twitter users' stolen data leaked online – more shared privately (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/54-million-twitter-users-stolen-data-leaked-online-more-shared-privately/)
– New Windows Server updates cause domain controller freezes restarts (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/new-windows-server-updates-cause-domain-controller-freezes-restarts/)
– Google pushes emergency Chrome update to fix 8th zero-day in 2022 (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-pushes-emergency-chrome-update-to-fix-8th-zero-day-in-2022/)
…Some random entertainment in the World of WordPress!
…Matt's Famous Quotes
https://www.idrlabs.com/quotes/matt-mullenweg.php
…The hall of shame via Automattic:
transparency.automattic.com/tag/hall-of-shame/
Let's have a peek at our Contests for this week…
Firstly we want to thank Simple Giveaways for being totally awesome and providing us with their Premium Version for our contests!
Secondly we want to thank Steve Goodtime & Brant Matthews for creating our amazing jingle we still use!!
And we want to thank Charlie for coming to our aid and rescue yet again with another fantastic contest!
Our winner for the Umbrella WP: Josef – be sure to check your email for further instructions!
Remember, there will be 2 more chances, to enter and win a Breakdance License! Keep listening to find out when!
This weeks contest is for: WP Go Maps Plugin!
Enter for your chance to win WP Go Maps – Unlimited Lifetime Licence Giveaway valued at $199
WP Go Maps
WP Go Maps
Manage Multiple WordPress Websites Effortlessly
The all-in-one solution for your WordPress maintenance service.
The most comprehensive WordPress Map Plugin, ever. Build simple to advanced maps in seconds.
Click here to visit wpgmaps.com
To Enter, head on over to wppluginsatoz.com/giveaway and enter for your chance to win!
Remember, this is YOUR show! We are just the Worker Bee's here – Don't be afraid to jump up and down and demand a turn at the wheel to help guide the show to where YOU want it to go!
That goes for all the Developers out there too – this is YOUR show! by supporting us with your Plugin donations you are helping to guide the show to where you want to see it go! A GIANT Thank You is owed to the Developers who have been supporting us this whole time, we honestly could not have even gotten this show started without you!
If any Developers out there listening right now are interested in adding to the show by donating a Premium License for our Contests, you can do so by going to WPPluginsAtoZ.com/PluginContest!
Time for the Good Stuff! …
Off we go into the meat and potatoes of plugin depravity…..
WordPress Plugins
————————————————-
John's Plugin
Admin Speedo
https://wordpress.org/plugins/admin-speedo/
The Lowdown:
AdminSpeedo is a simple method of boosting your WordPress admin dashboard and freeing your site code from unnecessary and not needed items.
This plugin automatically and drastically improves loading time for your WordPress admin dashboard within seconds. It adds most of the recommended optimization functions for your WordPress admin, and reduces bloat of your dashboard. This plugin will also help to reduce bloating of most of the popular plugins like WooCommerce and Elementor and the best part of it is, no configurations is needed. Just activate it, and your Admin dashboard will be boosted.
Rating: 4 Dragons
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Amber's Plugin
WP Go Maps
https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-google-maps/
The Lowdown:
Once you activate your plugin, the first thing that shows up is a really useful walk through! I found it very useful as thus far every map I have tried out doesn't quite work out the way I expect it to.
You will find the dashboard and settings for WP Pro Maps on your left-hand menu under ‘Maps'; from there you can check out your maps, add new maps, work your settings, and seek support.
In your settings you have the ability to change up just about every aspect of your maps: which engine you want to use, type of interface used, size of font…
In the Free Version you are able to create one map, and have a lot control over this map regarding it's layout and looks.
In the Pro Version you can create however many maps you like, including interactive maps where your users can get directions from your maps!
There is even an option where you can mix your maps up together to create one, create markers that vanish until a store locator search is done, and show your visitors location on the map for better directions.
You also have the option for StreetView, HeatMaps, Custom Data Sources, and Marker Galleries.
This really is the most comprehensive Maps Plugin I have come across to this date, and I highly recommend checking this out, then going in and adding your name to the contest!
There will be more contests coming up for WP Pro Maps in the future as well as we have more than 1 license, so be sure to keep listening to hear your next opportunity pop up!
Rating: 4 Dragons
————————————————-
John's Plugin
stars-at-night
https://wordpress.org/plugins/stars-at-night/
The Lowdown:
This plugin displays data of interest to amateur astronomers. It is calculated from user-provided location and date information.
The plugin is called from a WordPress shortcode, and the parameters are specified in the shortcode.
Rating: 4 Dragons
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Amber's Plugin
Traffic Jammer
https://wordpress.org/plugins/traffic-jammer/
The Lowdown:
This is a nifty little plugin designed to be ‘The Poorman's WAF. WordPress plugin to block IP and bots categorized as harmful'.
Once installed, you will find ‘Traffic Jammer' on the left hand menu near the bottom; you can go to the dashboard and add your own IP's to block, add to the pre-generated list of bots to block, add some Whitelisted IP's, and choose whether to hold the log for 3 or 7 days at a time.
Using this together with other plugins like crawler-hunter and/or BSK Forms Blacklist will help to keep spam and traffic down on your site.
Rating: 5 Dragons
We Interrupt the Meat and Potatoes of Plugin Depravity Edition to bring you our Donations Segment and to thank our Producers!
Remember, this is YOUR show! We're just the Worker Bee's here. Don't forget to restock the show's larders with some Time, Treasure, or Talent Donations! Need more info on how to do that? Check out our site wppluginsatoz.com – right up in the menu you will see each one under ‘Donations'!
Special thanks goes to:
Free-Lance Producers popping in and out:
Though always showing up at unexpected times, these Producers are surely part of the reason our name is getting out there! Thank you!
…If you have listened to even 10 minutes of this show, or shown up a single time to one of our live shows on YouTube, you are one of our many Free-Lance Producers! Although you guys are always popping in and out at unexpected times, we appreciate your support and periodic help with one thing or another – thank you!
Back Room Producers hanging-out in the Lounge:
Always about the place consuming all the coffee and donuts, these Producers earn it by helping out with our contests, artwork, site organization, notes, questions, suggestions, licenses, and by hiring us! Your Time and Talent Donations are equal to your Treasure Donations of under $50, and we would not be here without you – thank you!
…Back Room Producers, if you ever notice something that needs some work feel free to reach out to us and let us know – you can offer to take it up yourself, or just let us know and we will add it to our list.
War Room Producers:
With their donations of $50 or more these Producers receive a few extra perks – an official AtoZ Handle of their choice, a spotlight in that weeks show for a short speech, an official Executive Producership Credit, and seeing the ‘Magic' as it happens up in the War Room before we send the show out into the netherworld of the internets! Thank you for sticking by us and helping to keep the Back Room Producers stocked in coffee and donuts!
…**If you prefer to stay anonymous, please let us know at the beginning of your note to us regarding your donation! We are more than happy to keep you anonymous from the world – nobody is ever forced out of the tender embrace of the shadows on this show!**
…To receive your Official AtoZ Handle, think up an original name, and send it into us! Be sure to note down the show number and title of the show so that we know when to log it!
…Your spotlight can be an elevator pitch for your business, a note, or you can just skip it!
…The Producership Credit we offer is REAL! When you send your donation in to us of $50 or more, please be sure to note down the number and title of the show your donation shows up on, and we will back up your right to claim Producership!
…'Seeing the Magic Happen' refers to being part of the show – if you are interested in taking up a larger part in the show, reach out to us and let us know! We will be happy to discuss the options!
…War Room Producers, same as for the Back Room Producers, reach out to us if you notice something that needs work! Whether you are wanting to take up the job yourself or just inform us and leave it, we will add it to our list!
Thank you, now back to the Meat and Potatoes of Plugin Depravity Edition!
John's Plugin
Dinosaur Game
https://wordpress.org/plugins/dinosaur-game/
The Lowdown:
This plugin lets you add the dinosaur game from Google Chrome onto your WordPress site.
To use it, install the plugin, and use the [dinosaur-game] shortcode wherever you’d like the game to appear.
Rating: 4 Dragons
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Amber's Plugin
Lazy DM Roleplaying Session Planner
https://wordpress.org/plugins/lazy-dm-roleplaying-session-planner/
The Lowdown:
When I saw this I couldn't help but try it out.
This plugin is for Gutenberg, so it won't work with anything like Elementor.
What you get is an outline:
Review Characters
Strong Start
Outline Potential Scenes
Secrets and Clues
Develop Fantastic Locations
Outline Important NPC's
Choose Relevant Monsters
Select Magic Items and Rewards
… I was a little disappointed at first since I had gotten the idea from the description that there would be an outline with ideas on which to build upon, though I think that may just be my own misunderstanding. The description does specifically say ‘Outline', and nothing about further information within the outline.
The plugin itself works fantastic, is very easy to use, and looks great! For those who already know what they are doing and need a free plugin for their site, this would make a fantastic addition to your RPG site!
For those like myself who are looking for a little more due to inexperience as a DM, keep this plugin in mind – it looks like a fantastic way to keep your games organized!
Totally free, worth checking out the Lazy DM Roleplaying Session Planner.
Rating: 4 Dragons
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ClassicPress
We have sadly neglected ClassicPress… we are working to remedy this.
…A little about ClassicPress for those who aren't sure: ClassicPress is WordPress frozen at version 4.9. Once WordPress moved to 5, they added in a whole lot of new folders, and the experimental additions to the Core started in earnest. ClassicPress is literally the Classic version of WordPress. A few plugins have been made over the years for just ClassicPress, though all Plugins compatible with WordPress 4.9 should work for ClassicPress.
To any ClassicPress user listening right now: I challenge you – yes YOU – to write a review of your favourite, or least favourite ClassicPress plugin, and send it into us! You can do so by hitting us up at https://wppluginsatoz.com/submit-plugin-review/!
…And feel free to add more to this section by reaching out to me at amber@wppro.ca.
ClassicPress Resource Section:
This information is like Fruit Cake! It doesn't wither away and will still be good years down the road so it's great for learning! Go and check this section out in our Show Notes if you have an interest!
…We have thrown some ClassicPress Resources in here for you – and they appear to have stuck like well cooked pasta! Glad you made it to this part of the notes since we only mention it lightly on the show – If we missed something, let us know!
…Learn more about ClassicPress 1.4.0 RC2:
…https://forums.classicpress.net/t/classicpress-1-4-0-rc2-release-notes/3785?fbclid=IwAR3wGK5IW8ssJ-XC4k7IiZMBtSjUTVN2pexk6ATCRvuMN-Fn-McOy-XJJv8
…ClassicPress Tutorials on their site:
…https://www.classicpress.net/category/tutorials/
…ClassicPress's “Must Have” Plugins List:
…https://forums.classicpress.net/t/must-have-plugins-list/1163
…ClassicPress Repository!!
…https://directory.classicpress.net/plugins They now have 71 plugins (and counting!) available.
…WordPress Plugin Section compatible with ClassicPress:
…https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/classicpress/
Questions, Notes, and Feedback from our Producers out there:
…Send us your thoughts and opinions, but most of all send us your questions! No such thing as a stupid question people! I was new not too long ago, and I know how overwhelming it can be stepping into this world at this stage – I know for a fact that questions you have are the same questions others out there have!
Area for Feedback
How to be part of your own production!
Interviews – get yourself out there using us as your tool!
…Looking for a way to get your name and work out there? Use us as a stepping stone! Hit us up at https://wppluginsatoz.com/interview
Send in Plugin Reviews, or suggestions for Plugin reviews!
…Have a plugin you love? Or one you really think people should avoid? Reach out to us and get your words and opinion out into the world by hitting us up at https://wppluginsatoz.com/submit-plugin-review/
Send in questions and/or comments!
…Have a thought to share? Send it in! You can stay anonymous or belt your name out in all caps!
Stuff and reminders about Stuff:
Meetups:
Nothing new has been set out yet, it all depends on how moody our island is going be this winter and how much snow/rain we get – no sense having a meetup if the main highway gets washed out again!
Keep an eye here for the next Meet Up, eventually we will get it going!
Random:
Remember you can check out our Show Notes on our site wppluginsatoz.com! There is extra information to grab up there that we don't even speak out loud on the show!
Today's Plugins we covered were:
John’s Plugins: Admin Speedo – 4, stars-at-night – 4, Dinosaur Game – 4
Amber's Plugins: WP Go Maps – 4, Traffic Jammer – 5, Lazy DM Roleplaying Session Planner – 4
Ways to support the show!
You can support us by Subscribing to our Newsletter, Donating, or reviewing us on Stitcher Radio, Google Play, or the iTunes Store.
Join us on our Facebook, and hit the *Like* button on our YouTube Channel!
…Just showing up to our YouTube Channel and joining us live every Thursday at 11am PDT is a FANTASTIC show of support! So is joining our FaceBook page and hitting *Share* on our posts every once in a while!
…Giving a review of us on any of the platforms listed above would be super helpful too!
Want to get ahold of us???
If you still do Snail Mail, you can send an actual, physical letter or item to this Brick and Mortar address:
…(Pssst! I love receiving things that are not bills! Especially art if you enjoy drawing – no matter what age!)
WP Plugins A to Z
C/O John Overall
20-754 E Fairview Rd.
Victoria, BC V9A 5T9
Canada
OR, you can email us!
Amber: amber@wppro.ca
John: john@wppro.ca
Q & A Time with Amber – Catch this info on our YouTube Channel
If you have questions you would like to have asked on the show, send them in to me at Amber@WPPro.ca – let's see if we can stump my dad!
- How many anti-spam/anti-bot plugins are too many to use together?
- Sometimes spam in your email shows up as ‘From: your email'. How does that happen, where a spam sender seems to be using your own email to send email to you, though when you look to see the email it's from it's their own oddball email?
(I have a couple more questions for my dad just after the closing credits, for those listening elsewhere, you will have to make your way over to the YouTube's!)
Questions asked after closing credits:
- Is there a way to stop spam yourself in places like gmail – other than attempting to blacklist the IP's?
- Why do you think all of the control options are being hidden in things like Windows? What good do you think that does to remove things like Control Panel behind stuff?
One more time for the ways to contact us!
Our Brick and Mortar Address – just in case you decide to send along a gift!
(Especially art if you enjoy drawing – no matter what age!)
WP Plugins A to Z
C/O John Overall
20-754 E Fairview Rd.
Victoria, BC V9A 5T9
Canada
Fastest way to contact us:
John:
- My website: http://www.johnoverall.com/
- WordPress Emergency Support: http://wppro.ca/wpemergency
- email: john@wppro.ca
Amber:
- email: amber@wppro.ca
