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!

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:

<!--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.

Join the 2.0 beta now!

Features

Currently, the Community News plugin has the following features:

• Widget Ready (Different form/results widget)
• Tags for use in posts/pages
• AJAX Form Handling
• Multi-Language Support
• Moderation panel (with email option) – Make sure you approve the right articles
• Edit Submissions
• `My Submissions` Page
• Customizable templates
• Captcha Spam protection (on/off)
• Akismet Spam protection (API key required)
• Build-in RSS 2.0 Feed
• Image Uploading
• Settings
• Uninstall Page
• Configurable Responses

How To Install & Use

1. Download the files
2. Upload the files to /wp-content/plugins
3. Activate the plugin (WP-admin > Plugins > FV Community News)
4. Browse Community News > Settings to select the settings you prefer.
5. Go to Design > Widgets to add the Community News widgets to your sidebar.

You can also show your Community News plugin on a static page. You can do that by placing the following codes on a page that does support PHP:

Add Form

<?php if (function_exists('fvCommunityNewsForm'))

    fvCommunityNewsForm(); ?>

Latest Submissions

<?php if (function_exists('fvCommunityNewsGetSubmissions'))
    echo fvCommunityNewsGetSubmissions(Number, Template); ?>

• Number – Insert number of items you would like to show here
• Template – Structure per item. You can use these tags:
  
  • %submission_author%
  • %submission_author_email%
  • %submission_title%
  • %submission_url%
  • %submission_description%
  • %submission_date%
  • %submission_image%

By default the Template is: ‘<li><h3><a href="%submission_url%" title="%submission_title%">%submission_title%</a></h3><p>%submission_description%</p><small>%submission_date%</small></li>‘. <ul> </ul> tags are automatically added.

Example

Take a look at the sidebar, you could see the plugin in action right there. Also my friend uses Community News on his blog, so you can see a working example on DivitoDesign.

The FV Community News settings page.

Bugs & Questions

If you find any bug in the latest version of this plugin, I hope you’d be so kind to tell me about it. This will only improve the plugin, which is better for the users! When you have anything else to say (appreciated!), please comment!

Plugin Info

AUTHOR: Frank Verhoeven
AUTHOR URL: http://www.frank-verhoeven.com/
WORDPRESS VERSION: 2.5+
TESTED UP TO: 2.7
CURRENT VERSION: 1.3.1

Change log

Version 1.1
Version 1.2
Version 1.3

Download

DOWNLOAD: FV Community News

Donate

Like this plugin? Please consider making a small donation.

Or help promoting it by adding a link to this page, definitely appreciated !