When You Wish Upon a WordPress Plugin

It's Episode 572 and we have plugins for No Auto Updates, Wall, Worker List, Forming Contacts, Bellhop, Tarot Reading… and ClassicPress Options. It's all coming up on WordPress Plugins A-Z!

Disable All Automatic Updates and Theme Editors, Wall, Employee List, Contact Form by WPForms – Drag & Drop Form Builder for WordPress, Bellhop, Tarot Online……. and ClassicPress options on Episode 572.

John's Intro:

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…

Amber's Rant:

This is Episode #31 for 2022!

Getting close to Episode 33! Hopefully everyone out there has had an opportunity to get the sunshine, because winter is on it's way! I can see a preview of it today where I am – clouds, chill winds…

Don't forget to take some time off of the devices! Devices are great distraction noodles, but they can melt your brain too. Taking breaks is always a good thing – remember, too much of anything is no good for you!

We have some news from the world of WordPress for you today as well as some great plugins. 

News this week:

– (https://ithemes.com/blog/wordpress-vulnerability-report-august-17-2022/) WordPress Vulnerability Report – Apologies, I realize I completely forgot to bring this last week! I've added last week's link into the show notes for you to make up for it. (https://ithemes.com/blog/wordpress-vulnerability-report-august-10-2022/)

There is only one plugin listed with severe vulnerability linking it to WordPress Core Vulnerability – Simple Single Sign On. Please be sure to look over the information in this link, it is always good to know what's going on.

– (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-mailchimp-breach-exposed-digitalocean-customer-email-addresses/) – New MailChimp breach exposed DititalOcean customer email addresses – a lot of people use MailChimp I have noticed. This is a good thing to know – the security breach exposed the email addresses of some customers, with a small number receiving unauthorized password resets. First learned on August 8th, it has been dealt with; though may still want to double check, make sure your sites are updated, and maybe change passwords if you are a user of DigitalOcean.

– (https://wptavern.com/newsletter-glue-closes-free-plugin-on-wordpress-org) Newsletter Glue closes free Plugin on WordPress.org – Newsletter Glue Creators have removed their free plugin from WordPress.org in favour of focusing on the commercial version. There was a warning to users 5 months ago that they would be closing the free version and no longer updating as of May 1st, however the process was delayed until August 15th. The reason for this delay was that they had set the plugin so that when one upgraded, the free version automatically uninstalled and the paid version installed and activated. This caused some issues that took some work.

– (https://wptavern.com/woocommerce-to-stop-registering-customizer-options-in-upcoming-6-9-release) WooCommerce to stop registering Customizer Options in upcoming 6.9 release – meaning that they are making a move to remove the Customizer Menu entirely from admin for those who are using a block theme. This is in an effort to clean up the admin and eliminate confusion. Version 6.9 is expected to release in September 2022.

– (https://wptavern.com/new-twenty-twenty-three-default-theme-now-in-development) – the new Twenty-Twenty-Three default theme is now in development – the development team seem to be hard at work creating the new version where they will be bundling together a curated set of style variations, rather than creating a new theme from scratch. It appears the community likes the idea, so the plans are now underway to create a stripped-back version of Twenty-Twenty-Two as the base for the new theme. Should be interesting to see how it turns out!

– (https://wptavern.com/organizewp-launches-with-old-school-software-pricing-model) – OrganizeWP has been ‘re-launched' with ‘old school software pricing model' – this could be fantastic! What this plugin does is organizes content in the admin with a single, unified view and UI for streamlining common actions. It's a utility plugin – worth checking out!

– (https://thenextweb.com/news/beginners-guide-ai-apocalypse-the-democratization-of-expertise) – a beginner's guide to eh AI apocalypse: the democratization of ‘expertise' – “forget killer robots, we should be way more worried about friendly chatbots” – I thought this was an interesting take on the AI apocalypse! The phrase ‘democratization of expertise' sounds good, but what happens when the friendly chatbots are filled up with information from crowds teaching it all the wrong things – like the chatbot trained in 4chan… that was interesting…

Worst case scenario – the ability of the friendly chatbots to imitate humans may get to the point where they will be able to convince humans that what they are saying makes sense, far surpassing our own ability to detect doodoo. Democratization of expertise is what happens when everyone believes they're an expert. I found this to be a very interesting take, worth a read!

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

– (https://wptavern.com/upcoming-free-workshops-learn-how-to-convert-figma-files-to-a-block-theme-and-take-block-patterns-to-the-next-level) – Upcoming Free WorkShops – In these workshops you will be able to learn how to convert Figma Files to a Block Theme and Take Block Patterns to the ‘next level'. This lists the times and dates they will be happening – remember to check out ‘learn wordpress online workshops' on meetup.com to get more information on what else is coming!

– (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/malicious-pypi-packages-turn-discord-into-password-stealing-malware/) – Malicious PyPi packages turn Discord into password-stealing malware.

– (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ring-android-app-flaw-allowed-access-to-camera-recordings/) – Ring Android app flaw allowed access to camera recordings.

– (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/apple-security-updates-fix-2-zero-days-used-to-hack-iphones-macs/_) – Apple security updates fix 2 zero-days used to hack iPhones, and Macs.

– (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/blackbyte-ransomware-gang-is-back-with-new-extortion-tactics/) – BlackByte ransomware gang is back with new extortion tactics.

– (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/new-windows-powertoys-ocr-tool-will-let-you-copy-text-from-images/) – new Windows PowerToys OCR tool will let you copy text from images.

– (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/malware-devs-already-bypassed-android-13s-new-security-feature/) – Malware devs already bypassed Android 13's new security feature.

– (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-fixes-fifth-chrome-zero-day-bug-exploited-this-year/) – Google fixes fifth (5th) Chrome zero-days bug exploited this year.

– (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/callback-phishing-attacks-see-massive-625-percent-growth-since-q1-2021/) – Callback phishing attacks see massive 625% growth since Q1 2021.

– (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/over-9-000-vnc-servers-exposed-online-without-a-password/) – over 9,000 VNC servers exposed online without a password.

– (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/google/google-fined-60-million-over-android-location-data-collection/) – Google fined $60 million over Android location data collection.

– (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/chinese-hackers-backdoor-chat-app-with-new-linux-macos-malware/) – Chinese hackers backdoor chat app with new Linux, macOS malware.

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/

Support the Show

This show won't work without YOU the Producers as this is a Value for Value kind of show!

If you find value in our show, toss some value back! Help keep the show going so we can keep on plugging!

Show 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'!

This weeks show Artwork is by:

Greg's Graphics (Greg Holdsworth) — https://gregsgraphics.com

You can Submit Artwork yourself by going to https://wppluginsatoz.com/artwork/

You can also check out all the art work yourself by going to https://wppluginsatoz.com/show-art-submitted/

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'!

A special announcement to make this week: We have had a realization that there is another kind of Producer out there who we have been neglecting to thank!

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!

…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!

There is no Executive Producers entering the War Room this week, though perhaps next week!

Off we go into the meat and potatoes, Into the depths of plugin depravity…..

ClassicPress Options

ClassicPress DOES have a future – we just don't have the time to help ClassicPress get themselves out there right now.

As the ClassicPress World expands the number of ClassicPress specific plugins in their own repository we see them growing. There are a few plugins specifically for ClassicPress currently, and all the plugins for WordPress 4.9.9 work well.

If anyone out there is using ClassicPress and would like to send in some reviews or news, we will gladly add it into this section! You can do so anonymously or let the world know your name – we will respect your choice!

ClassicPress News:

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!  https://forums.classicpress.net/c/governance/petitions/77

Check out the new ‘chats' in the forum
https://forums.classicpress.net/

WordPress does have a section devoted to plugins that are compatible with ClassicPress, check it out!
https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/classicpress/

If you're looking to learn how to use ClassicPress check out the tutorials on their site.
https://www.classicpress.net/category/tutorials/

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

You can check out the ClassicPress repository here https://directory.classicpress.net/plugins They now have 71 plugins (and counting!) available.

ClassicPress Information – The information that will keep, and help you on your way to understanding and using ClassicPress!

Find out 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

WordPress Plugins

Are you looking for some great newly released plugins? Check out this link:
https://wordpress.org/plugins/browse/new/

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John's Plugin

Disable All Automatic Updates and Theme Editors

https://wordpress.org/plugins/disable-automatic-updates-and-theme-editors/

The Lowdown:

Disable All WordPress Updates, File Editors and Gutenberg is a handy  tool that allows you to disable all types of automatic updates on  WordPress, plugins and themes, default plugin, theme/plugin editors and Gutenberg editor.

This plugin uses the wp-cli/wp-config-transformer command for writing constants to wp-config.php.

Don’t want unwanted updates to wreck your site? Just install this plugin, enable it and relax!

This plugin allows you to disable all types of default updates and editors that can accidentally break your WordPress site.

• Disables major and minor updates of WordPress.
• Disables auto-updates of plugins.
• Disables default plugin editor.
• Disables default theme editor.
• Allows you to disable the Gutenberg editor on posts and pages.
• Allows you to disable the Gutenberg editor on your widgets.

Requires permission to wp-config file to work with plugin properly

Rating 4 Dragons

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Amber's Plugin

Contact Form by WPForms – Drag & Drop Form Builder for WordPress

https://wordpress.org/plugins/wpforms-lite/

The Lowdown:

I wasn't sure about trying these guys out at first – they tend to charge a lot for Pro, and they tend to sell each super useful addition separately I have found; However, I must admit that trying these guys out, I found I really liked them.

however – I found WP Forms to be easier to use and understand than Gravity Forms; They have better tutorials, and the tools are easier – for instance, it is easier to personalize a form with WP Forms than Gravity forms; this is because the edit area is more open, so you are able to get to more to change more options without having to go digging.

The free version is great if you are simply looking for the basics, such as sign in, sign up, newsletter – the forms that a lot of sites need at first to help get themselves going.

If you are looking for more though, the Pro version does have additions they will sell you that will do things like work as the sign up form for The Events Calendar, or as a front end Submission Form for The Events Calendar.

WP Forms has many integration possibilities, and loads of personalization options. Working the CSS is easy, and building the forms themselves is drag and drop just like Gravity.

I don't however, agree with their pricing. Despite the praises I have just sung, I personally think they charge too much, and I think it's a little underhanded to sell so many additions you need in order to make things work together separately – it's like selling you knife and handle separately.

(Pro Version can be found here: https://wpforms.com/features/)

Rating: 4 Dragons

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John's Plugin

Wall

https://wordpress.org/plugins/wall-by-mindspun/

The Lowdown:

Lightweight, easy-to-use plugin that allows your site to be visible only to logged-in users. Great for when your site is still under construction.

Features

• Lightweight and easy-to-use with a single settings page.
• Fully-functional, no upsell for additional features.
• Themeable landing page or redirect to the login page.
• Use a custom X-Secret HTTP header to access your site contents programmatically.

Rating 4 Dragons

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Amber's Plugin

Bellhop

https://wordpress.org/plugins/bellhop/

The Lowdown:

This is a plugin for adding a ‘contact us' floaty menu at the bottom of your site. Once activated, you will find the settings for this plugin on the left hand menu under ‘bellhop'.

You can set either phone or email, or both – and once you save settings, there will be a little picture of  a bell on your site in the lower right hand corner.

If you click on this bell, it opens to show a phone, and an envelope – the colour is green, that doesn't change.

I like this because it's easy to use, light-weight, and useful! However, when one clicks on the little phone in the menu, it wants to take you to ‘tele link', a site to make phone calls through – you have the option to choose a different program, however – what if a person is just looking for the phone number? I think this may have been created specifically for users checking out the site on a cell phone – on the cell phone it just puts the number into your call area, and you can press ‘dial' to ring the number.

Great idea – but what about those who use PC…? I'm not entirely sure tele link is the best option – wouldn't it be better to simply offer up the phone number…?

Rating: 4 Dragons

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John's Plugin

Employee List

https://wordpress.org/plugins/simple-employee-list/

The Lowdown:

Simple-Employee-List allows you to create a new employee into your  website body section, sidebar section, or footer widgets anywhere you  want just to copy the [employee] shortcode and pest it.

Major features

• Custom post type.
• Automatically show all employee.
• You can add image.
• Custom Taxonomy.

Rating 4 Dragons

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Amber's Plugin

Tarot Online

https://wordpress.org/plugins/tarot-online/

The Lowdown:

I was really hoping for something awesome with this plugin! It's explained as a free tarot reading displayed anywhere in your site with a shortcode – activate the plugin and add the shortcode.

I did that, and the first issue I realized is that although it has an english translation, it shows up as… I'm not sure.. German…?

Then, once I put in a question and hit ‘enter' – it took me to a completely different site – where you can enter in your question again for a free tarot reading, and pay for more information…

I suppose this could be good… though personally I feel this was falsely advertised… The creator mentions ‘start earning money with Tarot Online affiliate program' – though they do not mention that there is no actual free tarot reading on your site itself.

I was honestly very disappointed the last tarot plugin made was abandoned and it has completely broken down now… ah well. Hopefully someone out there will create a tarot reading plugin for people's site rather than a completely different site!

Rating: 1 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 sending in your thoughts to us – The Good, The Bad, The Ugly – we'll take them all!

————

Listener Questions

There is no contest right now – we are just waiting on the worker bees to return with our next contest!

Be sure to stay tuned to find out what will be available next! If anyone out there would like to help our current worker bees, contact us. Many hands make light work and more contests!

Contests Powered by Simple Giveaways who kindly provides us with the premium version for our contests.

A BIG Thank You to Steve Goodtime & Brant Matthews who have created our Awesome jingle for the contests!

A BIG Thank You to Steve Goodtime & Brant Matthews who have created our Awesome jingle for the contests!

A BIG Thank You to Charlie for coming to the aid of the show and getting our contests all organized!

We also want to give a BIG Thank You to all the Developers for supporting our show with their plugin donations! Please be sure to check them out!

Short note about participating in the contests folks – we go to great efforts to get these licenses. We would LOVE to see a bit more participation from you, The Producers.

Visit http://WPPluginsAtoZ.com/contests for more info.

For all developers who would like to support the show. You can donate a premium license to be used in a future contest please go toWPPluginsAtoZ.com/PluginContest

Visit http://WPPluginsAtoZ.com/contests for more info.

For all developers who would like to support the show. You can donate a premium license to be used in a future contest please go to WPPluginsAtoZ.com/PluginContest

Visit http://WPPluginsAtoZ.com/contests for more info.

For all developers who would like to support the show. You can donate a premium license to be used in a future contest please go to WPPluginsAtoZ.com/PluginContest

The plugins we covered were:

John’s Plugins: Disable All Automatic Updates and Theme Editors – 4, Wall – 4, Employee List – 4

Amber's Plugins: Contact Form by WPForms – Drag & Drop Form Builder for WordPress – 4, Bellhop – 4, Tarot Online – 1

Matt's Famous Quotes
https://www.idrlabs.com/quotes/matt-mullenweg.php

Reminders:

Next Week:

Next Meet Up is planned for September 10th at 3pm at the Oasis! Be sure to RSVP if you want to join us as you won't be able to find it if you don't! You can RSVP at https://theroguestavern.com/events/month/2022-09/

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/

Also a reminder on how we can be contacted:

You can reach us through wppluginsatoz.com/contact, or email either of us direct through email! OR….

Still do Snail Mail? Send something into us at:

WP Plugins A to Z
C/O John Overall
20-754 E Fairview Rd.
Victoria, BC  V9A 5T9
Canada

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!

• Is there a way to tell beforehand if a plugin is likely going to disappoint? Example, the Tarot Online plugin I reviewed earlier.

• What do plugins linking to sites do exactly? Why are they created?

• What is the most expensive plugin you have come across, and do you think the price was ‘worth it'?

• What makes a ‘good' plugin in your opinion?

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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Subscribe and Check out our Training Videos, Screencasts and Watch us Live on YouTube every Thursday at Noon PDT

Subscribe to our Newsletter

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