Preparation

Before it is possible to start creating your own, custom, templates; a few things have to be done. This is necessary in order to keep your modifications while updating to a later version of the plugin.
Don’t worry, these steps are nothing more then copying, pasting and renaming a directory.

Preparation Steps

1. First go to the plugin directory, usually /wp-content/plugins/fv-community-news/.
2. Copy the Template directory.
3. Go to your themes directory, usually /wp-content/themes/.
4. Paste the Template directory here, and rename it to fvcn
5. You can start editing the template files, located in the fvcn directory, now.

Template Files

Located in the directory you just created, there are a few PHP files. These are the template files you can modify. A brief description of each file will follow below:

form-widget.php
Displays the form in a widget.

form.php
Displays the form.

list-posts-widget.php
Displays the most recent posts in a widget.

list-posts.php
Displays the most recent posts.

posts-archive.php
Displays a complete archive of all the posts ever submitted.

So if, for example, you would like to change the looks of the recent posts in your sidebar widget; you will have to modify list-posts-widget.php.

Template Functions

With version 2.0 and up, the plugin has build-in template tags, very similar to the WordPress ones you use in your themes. You can use these functions to customize the default templates.

Post Functions
These functions can be used to render anything related to a submitted post.

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fvcn_has_posts($args)

fvcn_posts()

fvcn_the_post()

fvcn_get_post_id()

fvcn_post_id()

fvcn_get_post_author()

fvcn_post_author()

fvcn_get_post_author_email()

fvcn_post_author_email()

fvcn_get_post_status()

fvcn_post_status()

fvcn_get_post_author_ip()

fvcn_post_author_ip()

fvcn_get_post_title()

fvcn_post_title()

fvcn_get_post_content()

fvcn_post_content()

fvcn_get_post_excerpt()

fvcn_post_excerpt()

fvcn_get_post_url()

fvcn_has_post_url()

fvcn_post_url()

fvcn_get_post_link($text)

fvcn_post_link($text)

fvcn_get_post_title_link()

fvcn_get_post_date($format)

fvcn_post_date($format)

fvcn_get_post_views()

fvcn_post_views()

fvcn_get_post_approved()

fvcn_post_approved()

fvcn_get_post_approve_link()

fvcn_post_approve_link()

fvcn_get_post_unapprove_link()

fvcn_post_unapprove_link()

fvcn_get_post_edit_link()

fvcn_post_edit_link()

fvcn_get_post_spam_link()

fvcn_post_spam_link()

fvcn_get_post_unspam_link()

fvcn_post_unspam_link()

fvcn_get_post_delete_link()

fvcn_post_delete_link()

Form Functions
Use these functions to create the submission form.

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fvcn_get_form()

fvcn_form()

fvcn_get_form_message()

fvcn_form_message()

fvcn_form_processed()

Render Functions
These functions render a complete section.

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fvcn_list_posts()

fvcn_post_archives()

Various Functions
Other functions.

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fvcn_get_rss_url()

fvcn_rss_url()

More information on these functions will soon be available.
All these functions are located in the file fv-community-news/Includes/TemplateFunctions.php. You can view this file for more information on these functions as well.

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!

People with varying needs, always find it difficult to find a suitable web hosting company, as most web host companies fail to meet their demanding needs. But, finding a good web host company is essential when one wants to setup a website.
While doing this, there are various factors that are taken into consideration. Things such bandwidth allocation, disk space, web tools, the control panel that is offered, security, customer support and uptime guarantee are considered before making the final decision.

In web hosting terms, ‘uptime’, means the amount of guaranteed time during which the site will stay online. Look for those web host companies that can offer an almost 99.9 percent of uptime. Companies that are willing to offer 100 percent ‘uptime’ aren’t to be trusted, as 100 percent just isn’t possible. Bear in mind, that higher the uptime guarantee, better is the web hosting services. With such companies, one doesn’t have to face an unhealthy amount of ‘downtime’; resulting in a better quality website.

Monitor Server Uptime

To ensure that a web hosting company is delivering on the guaranteed uptime, a user can monitor this by referring to 3^rd party monitoring sites. There are a number of these sites that keep a track of things and list the best web host companies, according to their performance. Two of such prominent monitoring sites are – Alertra & Internetseer. Also, those web host’s, which operates on a redundant network – i.e utilize more than one data line to the internet – are more reliable than those who rely (utilize) a single data line. Both these 3^rd party monitoring sites have free and paid monitoring plans, and can be chosen depending on the amount of ‘thorough monitoring’ that is required for the website.

Uptime Guarantee

Basically, what that uptime percent (99.9%) means is – the website will be up and running for the 99.9% of the annual time. Also; network uptime, server uptime, web server and service uptime are all included in this guarantee.

Is it server or network uptime?

It’s difficult to answer this one, as it is something that web host companies are secretive about. Here, it can be either or both …depending on the web host, itself. While reading the terms of service carefully, one can know or find out, that the uptime offered by the web host refers to the network and not the actual servers. So before signing up with any web host, ensure to make a list of what they are offering.

Guest post by:

Lara - http://createhostwebsites.com/

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

After adding version 1.3, I received a few notifications about the javascript. It gave errors, wasn’t compatible with most plugins and/or themes and just sucked

My decision was to update the complete javascript used with version 2.0, since that one is going to have a complete makeover. However, more and more emails came, telling about the JavaScript. The problem seems to be worse then I was thinking, so an early patch for the javascript is already available.

I removed the Prototype framework for compatibility, since most themes and plugins are using jQuery. Now the Community News plugin does too. It uses the jQuery lib that comes with WordPress itself. I hope this will improve the compatibility. Also errors which occurred in the old javascript are fixed.

Template Tags

A lot of people were asking for it, template tags for use in posts/pages. Well, here they are:

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<!--fvCommunityNews:Form-->
<!--fvCommunityNews:Submissions-->

The first one will display the form, just as the widget does, but then within a page or post. The next one will display a list of submissions, as defined in the admin panel (under: Settings – Template). You can simply put these tags in your post or page, and thats all.

Uninstall Feature

While I was thinking what this plugin needs, I decided that it should have an uninstall function. Before, you could only deactivate the plugin through the wp-admin panel under plugins, but when that was done, all the data/settings still remain in your database and on your server. With this new Uninstall function you can remove all settings, and/or all data before you deactivate the plugin and remove all the plugin files.

Translatable

Before version 1.3, all text displayed on the screen, produced by this plugin was static data, you couldn’t change it. From now on the plugin uses the WordPress functions for displaying text, wich makes it possible for you to translate it and run the plugin in your own language. There are no languages included yet, but don’t hesitate to submit your own translation. I will include it in the plugin and would be very thankfull.

Custom Response Messages

Didn’t like the standard responses? You are now able to customize them so they fit for you. Go to Settings – Appearance, and modify all possible responses. Also a simple stylesheet is included to give the form a little style.

Improved Akismet

As of the previous (1.2 series) version, I included an Akismet class to fight spam. Unfortunately, this class was causing some serious problems at random servers. Because of this I searched for another solution, and found the MicroAkismet functions. These do work on blogs where the old class failed. I want to thank my friend Ivan, who made his blog availible for some tests.

Spam Protection

While I was looking how my plugin works on different sites, I noticed that a lot of spam was coming through the default spam protection, build-in since version 1.1. (This means the default protection without captcha) Personally I hate those no-life spammers, throwing a whole lot of crap to your blog and from the beginning I use Akismet om my blog to protect myself, witch works pretty good. So I decided to build this great peace of spam-killing code into my plugin.
To accomplish this I used the Akismet PHP4 class, written by Bret Kuhns. Submissions will be marked as spam, just like comments, if Akismet finds a message to be spam. This way you can still approve submissions that aren’t spam, but are marked as if they are.

Image Uploading

Another new feature is the possibility to let submitters upload an image along with their submission. I received a request for this, and thought: “Hey that’s a good idea!”. The image field is not required, and therefor you could setup a default image that is used when people don’t upload one. You are also able to configure the maximum sizes for an image (width and height separated).
Note that it could happen that you have to create the upload folder manually. If so, the plugin let you know. Just create a new folder in your WordPress root folder called ‘wp-fvcn-images’, then chmod it to 755 and everything should work fine.

To add the images to your list of submissions, you could use the new %submission_image% tag. This tag will change into the location of the image, so to add a new image, in its img tag use something like this:

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<img src="%submission_image%" alt="" />

Note that when people upload an image they can’t use AJAX, because JavaScript can’t access the image. Here is taken care of automatically.

My Submissions Page

Want to let submitters view their own submissions? Now that is possible with the new ‘My Submissions’ page. This is an optional page you could enable where registered users of your blog could view and submit their submissions.

Edit Submissions

I also received a request for this one. So from now on you can edit the submissions. Note that the ‘Edit Submissions’ page is already created with and for WordPress 2.7. If you are using the 2.7 nightly-builds you won’t notice, but else you will see that the box with the Save button looks a bit crapy. I have thought a while about this one, but since 2.7 will be released within a few weeks, I think it isn’t worth the effort to make it look good in 2.6 and 2.5.

Dashboard Widget

Another 2.7+ feature is a dashboard widget. It looks almost the same as the comments widget and also has the same features. You could simply Approve, Unapprove, Spam or Delete a submission with one single click while your at the dashboard page.

Other Fixes

More little bug-fixes have been applied. A small list:

• The AJAX didn’t work when there was a ? in the URL, now it does work.
• The settings page is separated in different tabs for a better usability.
• Some problems with the function that shortens up the submission text are fixed.
• You can now add a description if using the widgets.
• The number of unmoderated submissions is added to the admin menu.
• Link actions are added.
• Some problems occurred when you have modified the location of your wp-content folder, this is fixed.
• The ‘Post URL’ field isn’t required anymore. (Had a request for this)
• You now can override the template settings in your theme pages, instead of vice versa.
• Some fixes are applied to the RSS feed.
• Problems with the admin menu are fixed.
• The reloading of the captcha is improved.

That’s about it
Any suggestions? Please leave 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.