Since the last update there have been significant changes. For people who like to browse the code, as well as for the default users who just like to use the plugin.

Code Cleanup

First of all, there has been a huge cleanup in the source code. Comments have been added to all the functions to help people understand the code, and help solving problems. The code itself also has had big improvements; speed and customization are probably the biggest points here. With hooks added to almost every part of the plugin, you can customize it any way you want.

Also the addition of template functions, very similar to the functions you are used to using in your WordPress themes, allow you to change the look of your community news more then ever before. More information on theme customization will follow within a couple of days.

Admin AJAXization

Another thing I really, really wanted to do is speed up the moderation of your Community News. While thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that the only way to do that is by using AJAX. So from now on, Community News moderation will be faster then ever before. Both the dashboard and the moderation page are using JavaScript/AJAX for single post moderation. I think you will really enjoy this change.

And More

Besides these two points there have been a lot more changes of course. In fact, to many things have changed to list them here. In the next week(s) or so I will get documentation up on the various things that require it.

If you can’t wait that long, you don’t have to! You can download the beta right now from the WordPress repository. Just go the the download page, and select the development version.

Enjoy!

The first thing I decided to do with the plugin is remove some `useless` features. Mostly these are settings hardly anyone uses and just confuses people. What I want is the plugin to be super easy to use, not to much trouble with configuring and other stuff should be necessary.
One other thing that I removed is the possibility to upload images. While this might have been a very nice feature for some of you, I decided it isn’t really something that does belong in this plugin.

Second I’ve completely rewritten the code. The whole plugin is now OOP based, and I’m very happy with the current results, even though I’m not done with it yet.

So what is new then? Well, something that the plugin misses right now is the possibility to create some sort of archives from all the great posts you receive. And this is something that I really wanted to add, and improve further in the future.
For now, I added pagination to the plugin, witch will be the start of being able to have an archive of news on your website. To get this simple archive on your website, use the following tag:
<!--fvCommunityNews:Archive-->
Make sure to put it into your page using the code view!

Besides the start of archives, the plugin received numerous of other updates, bug fixes and other improvements.

If you are interested in testing the plugin, you can download it from the wordpress repository.

If while using it you find any bugs, find ways to improve things or just have this awesome idea, do not hesitate to leave a reply! Or just send me an email.

For new ideas you might have, I would like you to ask to post them into the forums, created for exactly that kind of stuff.

Changes regarding the plugin can kept track of here.

A quick side note; currently the beta says that it is version 1.4. This is correct, and done to make sure there will not be any problems with updating to the final version.

More information about new features of the plugin will follow.

A while ago I told you I would pick up the project again, and now version 2.0 will be soon ready for some test runs
If you are willing to help me test it, please throw me an email.

As soon as it is ready, everyone who contacted me will get a link to the beta version. For now, I don’t have a date when it will be done yet, but it will be soon.

Forums!

As you might have noticed, there is a new link at the top of the site, directing to forums. I have set up these forums so I can keep things more organized, since looking into hundreds of comments isn’t really handy. If you have any questions, suggestions or anything else; you now have the chance to write a nice topic about it!

The plugin’s code will be completely rewritten, and with that support for PHP 4 will be dropped. When that is done, new features will be implemented to make the plugin even better!

If you have any suggestions for the new design, don’t be afraid to post a comment

• The submission moderation panel is improved and some bugs are fixed.
• The option that users must be logged in is added.
• The form is already filled in in parts for users who are logged in
• The captcha could be removed for users who are already logged in.
• The captcha image can now easily refreshed, using AJAX
• A nonce field is added to fight spam.
• I added an RSS 2.0 feed for the submissions.
• AJAX is now used to submit the form.

Note that all the JavaScript from this plugin uses the Prototype and Scriptaculous libraries, and if you already loaded jQuery in your page, the AJAX might not work.

On to version 1.2

There are already some suggestions for version 1.2:

• Allow people to upload photo’s.
• The ability to edit submissions.
• Tags to add Community News in a post or page.

These will be implemented as soon as possible
Have any other suggestions? Please leave a comment and I will take a look at it.