Shambling Along with WordPress Plugins
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Shambling Along with WordPress Plugins
It's Episode 533 – Mars Pictures, Backend File Search, Better Links, Engineering Non-Comments, Halloween Boxing, CSSing….. and ClassicPress Options. It's all coming up on WordPress Plugins A-Z!
BIOL – Beautify Links, WP Backend File Search & Editor Tweaks Lite, Curiosity POTD, Wedepohl Engineering Disable Comments, Halloween Box, Custom CSS for Elementor……. and ClassicPress options on Episode 533.
John's Intro:
It's an all new season.. WP Plugins A to Z, 11 years and counting.. heading into our 12th year of doing this show. Oct 18 is the anniversary of the show.
This is a value for value show and I look forward to everyone providing some value back.
Before I get started, you will want to hang around to the end of the show for our Q & A segment with Amber…. and to those listening on the podcast, you may want to check out the YouTube version which has some great discussions before the show starts…
Producer Credits:
Executive producer:
Nobody this week. Maybe next week!
Show Art:
Greg's Graphics (Greg Holdsworth) — https://gregsgraphics.com
All the show notes can be found at: WPPluginsAtoZ.com
Check out all the art work at https://wppluginsatoz.com/show-art-submitted/
Amber's Rant:
This is #40 of 52 episodes for 2021! We are just about at the end of the year – doesn't really feel like yet another year has just about passed us by – thought it has been a very busy past year for us.
I hope everyone is ready for Halloween! In my opinion, it is the best holiday of the entire year. Way better than anything else – free candy, and literally the most trusting night of the year! What other night do people willingly allow complete strangers to knock on their doors, and accept things from complete strangers? It's essentially offering up and accepting gifts with all the people in your area for hours at a time. Plus, there is the added bonus of getting to dress up.
Remember to take some time for yourself, even on Halloween! Block a little time out of your day to just chill without any sort of media. It will help a lot with the whirl wind of holiday craziness that is about to come round.
Rinse and repeat as often as needed.
We have some news from the world of WordPress for you today as well as some great plugins.
News this week:
Cira Cybersecurity Report – The pandemic has shifted Canada's cybersecurity landscape a lot. CIRA has published its annual Cybersecurity Survey for the year, and it is a little surprising. In this article you will read about how cybersecurity professionals have had to adapt, the new lasting measures, and what we can expect to stick around for the future.
WordPress 5.9 go/no-go update: – All proposed features are moving forward. Users can expect block themes, templates, template part editing flows, new default twenty-twenty two block theme, styles interface, design tools, navigation block, all manner of UI improvements, and pattern insertion directly from the pattern directory. Check out the article for more in depth information on what to look for with the WP 5.9 update.
WP Fastest cache patches authenticated SQL injection and stored XSS via CSRF vulnerabilities – This article is to explain the various patches that have been brought out to fix vulnerabilities. The thing that makes it news, is the speed with which these patches were created! Read up to find out more!
Yoast and Google-Sponsored Core Contributors propose new WordPress performance team – I think that what they are saying here is that WordPress Core Vitals need work as a whole, because there is a lot going on between the various sites – the main complaint is that wordpress is beginning to fall behind in speed for loading. I am not sure if they are proposing that everyone use the same plugins and themes, or if they are simply stating that the core vitals need work. I would love to hear your take on this!
Gutenberg contributors propose renaming reusable blocks – Why do companies rename things when everyone knows the current name I wonder? In this case, Gutenberg is considering renaming it because the creators of Gutenberg had no idea how important reusable patterns would be. They are looking to create a category/new name for them to make it easier. Read the article for more info!
Question for the Wp Bar Tender: what happens to the customizer when a block theme is active? – This is a great article that goes through this, explaining in basic terms what is actually going on. Kind of reminds me of the Q&A we have in this show towards the end! Check out the article for more!
FaceBook is changing its name – FaceBook is wanting to change their name in order to appear as more than a social media company – and our friends at TNW have a few suggestions, like ZuckVerse.
How to say ‘no' to your customers and still provide great service – Great article helping you to set boundaries with your customers. Amongst these 5 great points made, there is one that really hits home with me: “Remember that clients who walk aren't a good fit”. It's not a bad thing to let your clients walk if things just aren't working out.
The extras – for even more extra news, check out our Facebook, or Twitter page!
This is the extra news stuff that someone out there might find interesting. To read more, you can head on over to the show notes or newsletter and check it out! If you find something to add for next show, send me a link at amber@wppro.ca
Sent in by our listeners:
- Trim the fat from your Windows 11 install – This is a great article showing you how to shrink the size of the install, and bypass the system requirements for Windows 11.
- Windows is looking to make Update Stack Packages a regular thing – Update Stack Packages seems to be an automatic update that updates when you are not busy. Not sure what I think about this becoming the norm….
- Windows 11: Registry Keys, SMB Protocol, and SystemInfo – Great article giving you a thorough run down of what to expect from the Windows 11 release on October 5th.
- Non-compliant PCs running Windows 11 are getting updates after all – Despite Microsoft claiming that they wouldn't. Oct. 12 brought the first patch, and those who had found a way around the limitations also received a successful update. No guarantee that this will continue though, so be aware!
- How to send disappearing messages in FaceBook Messenger – You can only use this on your phone though. Might be awesome, might not be. Check out the article to find out how!
- Google Chrome latest update had added in RSS Feed capability – Interesting service to have added so late in the game, though totally worth looking into this article to find out more!
Tips Tuesday with MayAnna! – This week talks about the E-comm movement, issues with CleanTalk, WP vulnerabilities, Cloudflare issues, and more!
Hackers disguising malicious JavaScript code with hard-to-beat trick – This is not a new trick via hackers, but is instead an old trick where they take the malicious code, and they compress or encrypt the code to make the code unreadable and non debuggable in packers. This causes ‘obfuscated' code that is difficult for antivirus to detect. Not new, but has been renewed with a eagerness by the hackers.
Security, remote work support top concerns amongst firms – Really, the evolving workplace via hybrid incorporation has just inspired hackers, creating a challenge for them to overcome. Security threats have evolved alongside of our workforce, and just using ‘known, trusted software' does not always help to keep your organisation safe. Read the article for more in depth analysis.
Supply chain attacks are the hackers new favourite weapon. – This is something to be aware of, especially if you are part of the supply chain. This goes through and explains what is going on, and offers suggestions on how to better protect yourself – it's not just the major supply trains, it's the little guys too.
Rising demand for developers is creating some unexpected consequences – Good news for some, bad news for others. The rise between Jan. 2019 and Jun. 2021 has started dropping off – by about 11%. You see, companies are trying to bring down the cost by hiring more inexperienced individuals, and unfortunately removing the ones who know what the are doing. Read the article to dive in deeper!
Tesla is now making beer! – Interesting turn around that popped up out of nowhere during the Giga Fest in Berlin. Read on to find out more!
What's an ETF? And why is it driving Bitcoin back to record high prices? – For those interested in Bitcoin, this is really good information to have at your back!
The 5 articles you read in AI h311 – While amusing, this article is actually taking apart the 5 main articles on ‘AI' that we always see now, and explaining what these articles are actually. It's actually quite helpful in learning to read between the lines when looking at AI articles.
The hall of shame via Automattic:
transparency.automattic.com/tag/hall-of-shame/
Matt's Famous Quotes
https://www.idrlabs.com/quotes/matt-mullenweg.php
Support the show!
This Show will not work without you, the producers, as it is a Value for Value model, meaning if you're getting any value out of it then give some value back and help the show out.
Start by subscribing to the newsletter for additional information and get out there round them up and rope them all in, belly up to the bar and enjoy. Spread the word about WP Plugins A to Z and catch it live every Thursday at noon PST on our YouTube Channel.
Show Producers
We'd like to acknowledge all the producers who have supported the show in the various ways over the last week.
This weeks show Art Work comes from:
Greg's Graphics (Greg Holdsworth) — https://gregsgraphics.com
Check out all the art work at https://wppluginsatoz.com/show-art-submitted/
This week's Executive Producer/'s are:
Nobody this week. Maybe next week!
A big thank you to all the Producers who came in under $50 and to those who have set up weekly subscriptions they will remain anonymous and I thank you very much.
All these small subscriptions really help the show out.
A big thank you to those who have hired me because of the Podcast, thank you that is as good as donating to the show.
You can Support the Show by:
Donating money to help the show Donations of $50 and over are credited with an Executive Producer Credit in the Show Notes, and their note is read out on the show.
Submitting art work at the WP Plugins Art generator,
Submit articles news and information
Submit plugin suggestions for reviews
You can also create a monthly donation at Patreon
Or something I may not have thought of.
If you would like to send something to WP Plugins A to Z you can send to the following address:
WP Plugins A to Z
C/O John Overall
20-754 E Fairview Rd.
Victoria, BC V9A 5T9
Canada
Off we go into the meat and potatoes, Into the depths of plugin depravity…..
ClassicPress Options
ClassicPress is growing really well, but I just don't have the time to add reviews on ClassicPress myself. I am always open to reviews sent in by listeners; though unless there is a review sent into me on ClassicPress, I am not going to do more than mention that ClassicPress is a thing, and here are some resources. I hope some listeners out there find this information useful!
One thing I am looking forward to in the ClassicPress World is the expansion of the number of ClassicPress specific plugins and their own repository. There are a few plugins specifically for ClassicPress and all plugins for WordPress 4.9.9 work well on it. I do believe it has a future, I just have not time to help them in getting it out there.
ClassicPress News:
Nothing new to report this week!
For some up to date news on ClassicPress check out the ClassicPress Blog.
ClassicPress Resources:
“Must Have” Plugins List
https://forums.classicpress.net/t/must-have-plugins-list/1163
It seems ClassicPress now has it own repository you can check it here https://directory.classicpress.net/plugins they now have 83 plugins available.
CodePotent's plugin directory
https://codepotent.com/classicpress/plugins/
WordPress Plugins
Are you looking for some great newly released plugins? check this link
https://wordpress.org/plugins/browse/new/
——————————–
John's Plugin
BIOL – Beautify Links
https://wordpress.org/plugins/biol-beautify-links/
The lowdown:
This is a great little plugin to improve the look of links on your site, and to add some colour and other text to better draw attention.
Rating 5 Dragons
——————————–
Amber's Plugin
Wedepohl Engineering Disable Comments
https://wordpress.org/plugins/we-disable-comments/
The Lowdown:
Sent into us by our listener Martin Wedepohl himself, I'll let him explain it in his own words!
I have a little plugin that removes comments and hides any of the admin page stuff to do with comments.
I include this in any custom plugins I develop for other clients who don't use comments (and that is most of them) so they aren't asking questions of why is there a comments link on the admin dashboard if they aren't using comments.
Check it out https://wordpress.org/plugins/we-disable-comments/ as with all my plugins you will have to search for it using the above link or with my name since I'm just not that popular.
Checking it out myself, I really liked the fact that it's just a plug'n'play kind of plugin! Efficient and easy, absolutely worth checking out!
Rating 5 Dragons
——————————–
John's Plugin
WP Backend File Search & Editor Tweaks Lite
https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-backend-file-search-editor-tweaks/
The Lowdown:
Use this plugin to search your backend files when you are using the WordPress editor to work on plugin or theme files.
Rating 4 Dragons
——————————–
Amber's Plugin
Halloween Box
https://wordpress.org/plugins/halloween-box/
The Lowdown:
This is a pretty fun little Halloween plugin that is still working well!
You plug it in and let her rip, and all of your posts and pages receive a Halloween addition! Can make it a little hard to read your post or page with the pumpkins being added at the bottom like this, but it sure looks cool!
Completely worth the work if you already have a dark theme, as the pumpkins add an awesome spooky feeling to everything.
Rating 5 Dragons
——————————–
John's Plugin
Curiosity POTD
https://wordpress.org/plugins/curiosity-potd/
The Lowdown:
Like to see what the latest picture is from mars? Install this widget, and then get that picture direct to your website.
Rating 4 Dragons
——————————–
Amber's Plugin
Custom CSS for Elementor
https://wordpress.org/plugins/custom-css-for-elementor/
The Lowdown:
This plugin seems to essentially be the same as Simple Custom CSS plugin, only made for Elementor. Very useful if you use Elementor and need to change just a couple of things here and there, works beautifully!
So generally, when using Elementor, there is an additional CSS area under the ADVANCED_TAB – but what this does, is it creates a corresponding CSS input field for the corresponding devices, as well as each individual widget.
Essentially giving you a lot more individual control over how each little bit looks. Very useful if you use CSS.
Bonus, totally free!
Rating 5 Dragons
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Random links for plugins
WordPress plugins crafted from love and experience
https://codeat.co/
Listener Feedback / Audio Clips
Feel free to send in your thoughts to us – The Good, The Bad, The Ugly – we'll take them all!
Listener Questions
If you have any you would like to have asked, please feel free to send them in! Remember, there's no such thing as a stupid question!
Enter the Contest to Win!
Except…
Our Contests are on Hiatus for a little while.
You will be the first to hear about our next contest coming up though!!!
Contests Powered by Simple Giveaways who kindly provides us with the premium version for our contests.
Steve Goodtime & Brant Matthews created a new jingle for us for contests.
I do want to thank Charlie for coming to the aid of the show and getting our contests all organized. I also want to thank all the developers again for supporting our show with their plugin donations! Please check them out.
Short note about participating in the contests folks. Remember we go to great efforts to get these licenses and look for more participation from you the producers.
The plugins we covered were:
John’s Plugins: BIOL – Beautify Links – 5, WP Backend File Search & Editor Tweaks Lite – 4, Curiosity POTD – 4
Amber's Plugins: Custom CSS for Elementor – 5, Halloween Box – 5, Custom CSS for Elementor – 5.
Matt's Famous Quotes
https://www.idrlabs.com/quotes/matt-mullenweg.php
Reminders / Commercial / Promotions:
Next Week:
No meetup planned at the moment but you can keep tabs on this at https://wppluginsatoz.com/meetup
Would you like to be on an interview show? Simply connect at https://wppluginsatoz.com/interview
If you have suggestions on plugins you would like to have reviewed please submit them on the website at https://wppluginsatoz.com/submit-plugin-review/
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 and we will answer to the best of our ability!
Question from our listener Martin Wedepohl:
… I regularly check the WordPress Vulnerability Report from ithemes and notice there seems to be a lot of Cross Site Scripting Vulnerabilities on even simple plugins is this because the plugin developer is trying to do much more than the basic features of the plugin?
- We seem to be having a major hacker issue popping up everywhere, do you think this is going to die off anytime soon, or just keep evolving into more of a problem?
- With the additional security risks that have been coming to the fore as of late, do you think that the updates are going to start coming more frequently, or do you think they will just keep on at the current pace we are getting?
Closing out this Episode
Just some reminders:
Be sure and subscribe to our Newsletter.
You can support the show at wppluginsatoz.com/donate
All the show notes can be found at: WPPluginsAtoZ.com
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Follow the show on Twitter @wppluginsatoz
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How to Contact Us:
John can be contacted at:
- on my website @ http://www.johnoverall.com/
- WordPress Emergency Support http://wppro.ca/wpemergency
- email: john@wppro.ca
Amber can be contacted at:
- email: amber@wppro.ca
