WordPress – You Don’t Have to Turn on The Red Light

It's Episode 570 and we have plugins for Woo Report, Easy Peasy Courses, Archiving Your Status, Animated Counters… and ClassicPress Options. It's all coming up on WordPress Plugins A-Z!

WooCommerce Report, Easy Courses, LH Archived Post Status, Animated Number Counters……. and ClassicPress options on Episode 570.

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 show #29 for 2022!

Hey everyone! Glad to be back for the show this week! It's a little shorter this week because life is making demands once again, though I made sure to really beef up the Extra News section for you!

I hope everyone is dealing alright with the heat out there – here on the island we are dealing with a heat wave. It's crazy temperatures right now – 10 degrees above our average! Though it was like this last year too; the weatherman said it would only be for this one week – though he said that last year too and it stuck around for a month.

Fingers Crossed!

Remember to drink lots of water, and take the cooler times of day to go be silly and have some fun!

Laughter is the best medicine – Patch Adams says so.

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

News this week:

> WordPress Vlnerability Report – July 27, 2022 (https://ithemes.com/blog/wordpress-vulnerability-report-july-27-2022/) – If anybody has not updated to WordPress Core 6.1, might want to think about doing so now. 6.0 had vulnerabilities that 6.1 fixed.

For the plugins vulnerabilities, we have a smaller list today: WP-DBManager, SearchWP LIve Ajaz Search, Simple Banner, WP-UserOnline, Flipbox, and Digital publications by Supsystic.

Plugins with No Known Fix list is long, here are the ones I recognize: Testimonials, Easy Student Results, VR Calendar, Duplicate Page and Post Plugin.

WordPress Theme Vulnerability for: GREYD.SUITE.

Be sure to double check these lists every week! Check the shownotes for the link.

> Automattic is removing WordPress.com features from the official WordPress mobile apps (https://wptavern.com/automattic-is-removing-wordpress-com-features-from-the-official-wordpress-mobile-apps) – WordPress mobile team has announced that it will be pulling all Jetpack and WordPress.com from the official WordPress mobile apps. This will be done in a gradual process, concluding at the end of 2022. The reason for this move is ‘for the sake of clarity and closer-to-core experience, the mobile team will be working to refocus the app on staple features you'd find with a fresh download of WordPress'.

They have listed out the features being moved in a list for you to look at, at the link given here in the show notes.

> WordPress.com ends recent pricing experiment, reverts to previous model (https://wptavern.com/wordpress-com-ends-recent-pricing-experiment-reverts-to-previous-model) – The pricing experiment begun in April is officially over! We are now back to the initial pricing list. The reason they have done this is due to the overwhelming negative feedback from the users. Nobody was impressed.

> WordPress design contributors propose shipping a curated set of Style Variations instead of a new Default theme (https://wptavern.com/wordpress-design-contributors-propose-shipping-a-curated-set-of-style-variations-instead-of-a-new-default-theme) – This might actually be a great idea. What they are thinking about doing is stepping back from a full theme development this year, and instead creating a curated set of style variations from community submissions. The styles would be applied to a pared back version of Twenty Twenty-Two. They got this idea due to the amount of people using the Block Themes, and use Block Patterns. This could also save a lot of hassle for those who don't use Block Themes.

> WordPress Themes Directory adds Block Themes to Filter Menu (https://wptavern.com/wordpress-themes-directory-adds-block-themes-to-filter-menu) – Block Themes are now easily found under the ‘Block Themes' option under ‘Themes'. Previously, Block Themes were 3 clicks deep to find, which caused a wee bit of frustration I have heard. The menu options for ‘Themes' on WordPress.org say ‘Popular', ‘Latest', ‘Block Themes'. Hopefully this will help out those who use Block Themes!

> WordPress Performance Team proposes adding Persistent Object Cache and Full Page Cache to Site Health Checks (https://wptavern.com/wordpress-performance-team-proposes-adding-persistent-object-cache-and-full-page-cache-to-site-health-checks) – WordPress is looking to provide better caching recommendations for site owners in the near future. Performance Team contributors are proposing two new Site Health checks: Persistent Object Cache and Full Page Cache. Both of these modules have been tested in the Performance Lab Plugin and have received positive feedback. Team says it is ready for merging into the core.

> Gutenberg 13.7 expands custom template capabilities, adds estimated reading time to info panel (https://wptavern.com/gutenberg-13-7-expands-custom-template-capabilities-adds-estimated-reading-time-to-info-panel) – For those who use Gutenberg, this is exciting news! Users can now create templates for custom taxonomies, specific terms, and single categories and tags! Update also includes the ability to create templates for specific pages! And I know the reading time will be very useful for those who write blogs and articles!

> Necrobots? Scientists turn dead spiders into robots able to grip small objects (https://thenextweb.com/news/scientists-turn-dead-spiders-into-robots-that-grip-small-objects) – This is freaking awesome! And kind of creepy…. the scientists have taken dead spiders, and turned them into little grippy hands for a robot arm… They are experimenting with other creatures like octapai too. Really cool – and kinda creepy… makes me think of the necromancers from so many books I have read over the years…

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

> WordPress contributors consider renaming full-site editing (https://wptavern.com/wordpress-contributors-consider-renaming-full-site-editing) – This is an interesting concept, I know they have been getting some negative feedback on calling a full site editor when it cannot actually complete full site editing yet. Read on to find out more!

> WordPress Themes Directory launches pattern previews in Beta (https://wptavern.com/wordpress-themes-directory-launches-pattern-previews-in-beta) – Super exciting for those who like checking out Beta stuff! Head on over to the link and read up on what you might be able to test out for WordPress!

> WordPress seeks user input on Homepage and Download page redesign project (https://wptavern.com/wordpress-seeks-user-input-on-homepage-and-download-page-redesign-project)– This could be a great opportunity for all the developers out there! Check the link out for more information!

> This IoT device will notify you an hour before an Earth-obliterating supernova (https://thenextweb.com/news/this-is-an-iot-warning-system-for-a-deadly-supernova) – I suppose this could be useful… although an hour doesn't seem all that helpful… Check the story out for more information!

> Opinion piece: OpenAI's DALL-E2 is tech equivelant of ‘soylent green' ()https://thenextweb.com/news/opinion-openais-dall-e-2-big-tech-equivalent-of-soylent-green) – This is really quite a great read! Entertaining and informative!

> Kansas MSP shuts down cloud services to fend of cyberattack (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/kansas-msp-shuts-down-cloud-services-to-fend-off-cyberattack/) – A US managed service provider NetStandard suffered a cyberattack causing the company to shut down its MyAppsAnywhere cloud services, consisting of hosted Dynamics GP, Exchange, Sharepoing, and CRM services. They shut it down because it was the only way to prevent the attack's spread. Read on to find out more!

> New ‘Robin Banks' phishing service targets BofA, Citi, and Wells Fargo (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-robin-banks-phishing-service-targets-bofa-citi-and-wells-fargo/) – A new phishing as a service (PhaaS) platform named ‘Robin Banks' has been launched, offering ready-made phishing kits targeting the customers of well-known banks and online services. Targeted entities include Citibank, Bank of America, Capital One, Wells Fargo, PNC, U.S. Bank, Lloyds Bank, the Commonwealth Bank in Australia, and Sntander. Robin Banks offers templates to steal Microsoft, Google, Netflix, and T-Mobile accounts as well. Read on to find out more!

> Microsoft: Windows, Adobe zero-days used to deploy subzero malware (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-windows-adobe-zero-days-used-to-deploy-subzero-malware/) – Microsoft has linked a threat group known a Knotweed to an Austrian spyware vendor also operating as a cyber mercenary outfit named DSIRF that targets European and Central American entities using a malware toolset dubbed Subzero. DSIRF promotes itself as a company that provides information research, forensics, and data-driven intelligence services to corporations. Read on to find out more!

> GitHub introduces 2FA and quality of life improvements for npm (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/github-introduces-2fa-and-quality-of-life-improvements-for-npm/) – GitHub has announced the general availability of three significant improvements to npm (Node Package Manager), aiming to make using the software more secure and manageable. The new features include a more streamlined login and publishing experience, and more! Read on to find out more!

> DDoS attack trends in 2022: Ultrashort, Powerful, multivector attacks (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ddos-attack-trends-in-2022-ultrashort-powerful-multivector-attacks/) – This is an opinion piece, but it is chalk full of awesome info! Read up and learn about the current trends that have been birthed in the cyber world due to the conflict in Europe.

> Microsoft Exchange servers increasingly hacked with IIS backdoors (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-exchange-servers-increasingly-hacked-with-iis-backdoors/) – Microsoft says attackers increasingly use malicious Internet Information Services (IIS) web server extensions to backdoor unpatched Exchange servers as they have lower detection rates compared to web shells. Read on to find out more!

> LinkedIn phishing target employees managing Facebook Ad accounts (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/linkedin-phishing-target-employees-managing-facebook-ad-accounts/) – A new phishing campaign codenamed ‘Ducktail' is underway, targeting professionals on LinkedIn to take over Facebook business accounts that manage advertising for the company. Read on to find out more!

> CosmicStrand UEFI malware found in Gigabyte, ASUS motherboards (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cosmicstrand-uefi-malware-found-in-gigabyte-asus-motherboards/) – Chinese-speaking hackers have been using since at least 2016 malware that lies virtually undetected in the firmware images for some motherboards, one of the most persistent threats commonly known as UEFI rootkit. Read on to find out more!

> Source code for Rust-based info-stealer released on hacker forums (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/source-code-for-rust-based-info-stealer-released-on-hacker-forums/) – The source code for an information-stealing malware coded in Rust has been released for free on hacking forums, with security analysts already reporting that the malware is actively used in attacks. Read on to find out more!

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/

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

This is where we like to take the time to thank everyone who supports the show!

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/

Show Executive Producer/'s up on the stage this week:

Nobody this week, maybe next week!

Executive Producers are the ones coming in with $50.00 or more in donations. You can also send along a note that will be read out live on the show! You can just say hi, or you can send in your elevator speech and get a little self promotion while donating to a good cause!

Back Room Producers hanging-out in the Lounge:

Back Room Producers play a big part in keeping this show going! Some of these producers are the anonymous benefactors coming in with donations under $50.00.

Our best known Back Room Producers are those who help us out with our contests, artwork, and site organization!

Some of our Back Room Producers help out the show by sending us in notes, questions, plugin suggestions, and plugin reviews.

Other Back Room Producers help out the show by sending in licenses for the contests.

Our least visible Back Room Producers help out the show by hiring us! This is as good as donating, plus we get the added bonus of more experience to bring to our listeners here on the show!

A big thank you to all the Producers out there, we couldn't do this show without you!

Support the show with your Time, Talent, or Treasure:

Time Support:

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Spread the word about WP Plugins A to Z through your social media, YouTube – wherever you find yourself! Get on out there to round them up and rope them all in, then belly up to the bar and enjoy with your catch of the day while we do our best to bring you the latest and greatest of plugins and news with a laugh!

You can also catch us live on our YouTube Channel every Thursday at 11 AM PDT – show up by 10:45 AM PDT to catch our pre-stream! Really quite entertaining most days as we fiddle with the dials and knobs to chase away the gremlins that have moved in since the week before.

Send us in plugin suggestions or reviews for the show. This can be a plugin you love or hate, your own write up, or just a recommendation for a plugin to review!

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Talent Support:

Submit Artwork into WP Plugins Art Generator. LOVE seeing the creativity of all the artists out there! Submit your artwork to https://wppluginsatoz.com/artwork/

Send us in articles, news, or general WordPress information to share either here on the show or on the WP Plugins A to Z site. You can do this anonymously, or have your name attached – just let us know in the email. Articles and General WordPress information will land on the site, while News may land either here on the show, or on the site – or both!

See somewhere that could use your talent? Shoot us an email and we can talk about it!

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Something we haven't listed here? Shoot us an email and we can talk!

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WP Plugins A to Z
C/O John Overall
20-754 E Fairview Rd.
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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:

It looks like ClassicPress is on an upswing! There are some new posts on their blog page (https://www.classicpress.net/blog/) and they are doing some fundraising.  The new leadership has started pushing forward to get ClassicPress back on track. They are fundraising to help cover the operating costs and are also working with Amazon to help with raising funds.  As they transition to the new leadership, they are also beginning to work on improving their infrastructure. That includes the plugin/theme directory. Read about it in the blog! https://www.classicpress.net/blog/

The forum has also been quite active with discussions, check them out to see what is being discussed using the following link.  https://forums.classicpress.net/

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/

——————————–

John's Plugin

WooCommerce Report

https://wordpress.org/plugins/ithemelandco-woo-report/

The Lowdown:

WooCommerce Report Plugin helps you to prepare useful and practical reports from your store and easily analyze information about orders, products and customers.

Statistics, numbers and figures, sales volume, net profit and in general, sales information, are the basis of a store business. Perhaps one of the weaknesses of the WooCommerce system is its reporting part, which gives limited possibilities to online store owners.

With WooCommerce Reporting Plugin you can have a complete report of recent orders, sales order summary, product reviews, coupons, order status, warehouse, shipping, taxes, categories, etc. With WooCommerce Reporting Plugin you can get detailed reports View yourself and filter items to your liking.

Rating 4 Dragons

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Amber's Plugin

LH Archived Post Status

https://wordpress.org/plugins/lh-archived-post-status/

The Lowdown:

This is a plug'n'play style plugin designed to give you the opportunity to archive your posts and pages, though there are settings for this plugin if you go to:

Settings > Reading. Here you can choose if archived posts can be read publicly, or only by logged in users.

You can create a title label to go beside your post. This message can be the default one stating this post/page is archived and may be out of date, or it can just be your own creation – like ‘Hazzaa! I found it!'  – which is what I put when I finally located the settings for the plugin.

This plugin works really well! Once activated, you will have the status ‘Archived' added to your drop down where you ‘Publish' or choose ‘Draft'.

There is also an option to set a date for the Archiving in an area right below the ‘Save/Update' area, so you don't even have to think about it if this is a time sensitive post or page.

Archiving is always a good option when you don't want to lose the content, but also don't want it to be seen by viewers unless they specifically go searching for it.

This plugin is also compatible with ‘Custom Post Types'.

Best thing about it? It's free!!

Rating: 5 Dragons

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John's Plugin

Easy Courses

https://wordpress.org/plugins/easy-courses/

The Lowdown:

Easy Courses is an advanced WordPress plugin that let you easily share and sell online courses, tutorials and lectures.

The Key Features of Easy Courses

Unlimited course creation
Easy Courses management
Automated course assessment
Quiz upload and download
Share video, audio, text, and course files
Offer free and paid classes
WooCommerce integration
and more !!

Rating: 4 Dragons

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Amber's Plugin

Animated Number Counters

https://wordpress.org/plugins/animated-number-counters/

The Lowdown:

This is an interesting plugin, a lot like Jellyfish Counter Widget. Honestly, I've never really figured out the reason behind the counter widget on a page that doesn't actually count anything – but it is a thing!

Once this is installed and activated, it takes you right to the dashboard where you can get started. You can get back here by clicking on ‘Number Counter' on the left hand menu area at any time.

Once you have chosen your template – you have 30 to choose from in the free version – you install and activate it, and than you get to personalize it! The amount of personalization that is available in the free version is really quite impressive – how many items per row, colour of every aspect of the counter, box shadow options – if you chose a counter with an image you can upload your own image as well. You can also place in your own CSS, set up the button, numbers, and icon to your own specs. You can even add a description if you want!

Then, you just grab the shortcode for that template and stick it wherever you are wanting the counter in your site!

You can use as many counters as you want with the free version, and every single one of these counters is compatible with page builders and every theme, responsive, and SEO friendly. There's more, but these are the most important factors in my opinion.

This plugin offers everything you need to get started, perhaps everything you need in general in the free version.

I can only imagine what the Premium version has to offer!

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

Listener Questions

Nothing this week, maybe next week! – Remember, there's no such thing as a stupid question!

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

The plugins we covered were:

John’s Plugins: WooCommerce Report – 4, Easy Courses – 4

Amber's Plugins: LH Archived Post Status – 5, Animated Number Counters – 5

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

Reminders

Next Week:

No meetups planned for now, though the one on June 25th was a total hit! Missed you all there, look forward to seeing you at the next one!

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!

• If your site is 3 years out of date, is it possible to update the site without a rebuild?
  • What kind of issues are you likely to come across by doing this rather than rebuilding the site as a whole?

• Is there a way to tell if updating to the newest version of WordPress is not an option without updating and breaking the site first?

• On really hot days, should you be pointing a fan at your computer?
  • I know that I need to sometime stick my phone into the freezer for a bit on super hot days because it tells me it's overheating. Will your computer do the same and tell you when it's overheating?
  • What happens when your computer starts overheating?
  • What do you need to do when your computer is overheating?

Closing out this Episode

Just some reminders:

Be sure and subscribe to our Newsletter. 

You can support the show at wppluginsatoz.com/donate

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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