Discovering New Worlds of Plugins
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Discovering New Worlds of Plugins
John's Intro:
It's Episode 593 and we have plugins for Embed AI, Planetary Info, Advancing Reset, Sitemap Regen, Sorting Menu, Remove Deletions… and ClassicPress Options. It's all coming up on WordPress Plugins A-Z!
– ‘good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you happen to be hiding out there on the globe today! Coming to you LIVE from …'
Amber's Rant:
Welcome to Episode 593 – Discovering New Worlds of Plugins – Hoping that the new time is working out for everyone! The sunshine is starting to come out a little, it's starting to warm up a bit, here's hoping that the sunshine will come and hang out sooner rather than later!
Onto the art!
Remember: This is a Value for Value show, meaning any value you find here, offer that same value back! We accept all currencies including time and talent currency! Chocolate is always good too…
And don't skip the end of the show – you never know what kind of amazing life altering advice you might catch!
A special note to all of our Listeners out there: What do you think about the way our show flows? Got an idea? Share it with us! Got a question? Don't be shy about asking! If you have a question or an idea that will make this show better, don't hesitate to chuck it at us – if we can't catch it we will just duck.
…When you see this in the notes, this means we didn't read this on the show, and that the only way to find this information out is to read our Show Notes!
…You can send any questions/suggestions or notes saying ‘hi' over to me at amber@wppro.ca, or hit up our site wpppluginsatoz.com/contact – Be creative with the title so that the spammer eater doesn't eat your note though!
Let's start the show with this weeks Featured Artist:
Artist:
Angel Lemus — http://www.koadigital.com
We are still lacking in new art, however because of this we get to bring forth some amazing art that has not been seen for a while!
Feeling Inspired? Hit up our site at https://wppluginsatoz.com/artwork/ and submit some artwork of your own!
…We can NEVER have too much art!
Or check out allll the artwork at: https://wppluginsatoz.com/artwork/
Breaking News in the WordPress World at large!!
…If I missed something, shoot me a link at amber@wppro.ca – it may show up on the next show!
News this week:
WordPress Vulnerability Report February 15, 2023 (https://ithemes.com/blog/wordpress-vulnerability-report-february-15-2023/) – There are no core theme vulnerabilities to speak of this week, which is awesome! On the other hand, there are however a lot of plugins that had vulnerabilities that have now been fixed. The list of plugins to be aware of is very short, only 3 plugins this week: WordPress Slider by Supsystic plugin, WordPress WeChat Robot plugin, and WordPress 0mk Shortener plugin.
There is also one WordPress Theme Vulnerability to be aware of: WordPress Colorway Theme.
Industry-wide tech layoffs impacting WordPress professionals (https://wptavern.com/industry-wide-tech-layoffs-impacting-wordpress-professionals) – The tech layoffs with major players like PayPal, Spotify, Google, Microsoft, Coinbase, Salesforce, and amazon hitting meta, Peleton, Stripe, Carvana and more. This round of layoffs is more brutal than what hit in 2022, and is affecting the WordPress community as well as the wider tech community.
Meetup.com follows through on commitment to improve website accessibility (https://wptavern.com/meetup-com-follows-through-on-commitment-to-improve-website-accessibility) – Back in November of '22, Meetup raised concerns with WordPress Community after it added an accessibility overlay to wits website, powered by EqualLab. This is generally discouraged as overlays are a kind of shortcut generally. meetup removed the overlay, and promised to work on the accessibility. They have now completed the work, and are excited to announce that they have completed an assessment with Deque, a well-respected accessibility consultancy.
WordPress 6.2 Beta 2 released with fixes for 71 issues and important performance improvements for block themes (https://wptavern.com/wordpress-6-2-beta-2-released-with-fixes-for-71-issues-and-important-performance-improvements-for-block-themes) – This recent Beta release was set loose on Feb. 14, and is free to check out! In a recent performance team meeting, WordPress core committer Felix Artz highlighted an important fix for how lazy loading is handled in block themes. There are many exciting changes going on and for those into testing these newer beta's out, it will probably be like playing in a candy store!
Watch WordCamp Aisa 2023 via livestream February 17-19, 2023 (https://wptavern.com/watch-wordcamp-asia-2023-via-livestream-february-17-19) – WordPress Asia is happening in Bangkok, Thailand this year starting on February 17, going until February 19. There are 1500 expected to show up in person, though for those unable to attend in person, there will be a livestream broadcasting the sessions from the conference days after Contributor day, which will be kicking off the first day.
WordCamp London in early planning stages for September 2023 (https://wptavern.com/wordcamp-london-in-early-planning-stages-for-september-2023) – The organizers of WordCamp London are already in the early planning stages. It's been nearly 4 years since the last time WordCamp was hosted in London, so this one will likely be absolutely fantastic! You can read more by checking out our shownotes, though we will keep you up to date on how and when things go!
OpenAI Exec admits AI needs regulation (https://www.technewsworld.com/story/openai-exec-admits-ai-needs-regulation-177772.html) – This is an interesting article where the Open AI CTO Mira Murati manages to stoke the governmental oversight of artificial intelligence Sunday when she conceded in an interview with Time Magazine that the technology needed to be regulated. Very interesting, worth a read, you can follow the link in our show notes!
ClassicPress News:
…Our News Section really isn't complete without ClassicPress News…
Nothing new has been posted on the ClassicPress website this week but we know from past weeks they have been keeping busy. Check the news below for what has been happening and stay tuned!
ClassicPress has released 1.5.0 which which brings full support for PHP 8.0., Image Lazy Loading, And More In v1.5.0 Read up on all the changes that come with the new version.
Remember to do your backup before you upgrade!!
https://www.classicpress.net/php-8-0-support-in-v1-5-0/
ClassicPress is doing a Poll of its users to see where they want ClassicPress to go in the future. They have given two options to vote on. Go check out the options and cast your vote!
https://forums.classicpress.net/t/community-poll-the-future-of-classicpress/4446
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!
…For some up to date news on ClassicPress check out the ClassicPress Blog.
The Extras – check out our Facebook, or Twitter page for even more!
Microsoft ups the ante for online search with new AI-powered bing engine edge browser (https://www.technewsworld.com/story/microsoft-ups-ante-for-online-search-with-new-ai-powered-bing-engine-edge-browser-177773.html)
The Metaverse in 2023: doomed or just growing pains? (https://www.technewsworld.com/story/the-metaverse-in-2023-doomed-or-just-growing-pains-177755.html)
Car with no human inside drives on European road for the first time (https://thenextweb.com/news/german-startup-vay-drives-first-remote-controlled-car-in-europe)
This tiny flying robot could work as an artificial pollinator (https://thenextweb.com/news/tiny-flying-robot-could-work-as-artificial-pollinator)
Otherweb could help avoid fake news embarrassment (https://www.technewsworld.com/story/otherweb-can-help-avoid-fake-news-embarrassment-177767.html)
Cyber forecast for 2023 and beyond: hang on for a bumpy digital ride (https://www.technewsworld.com/story/cyber-forecast-for-2023-and-beyond-hang-on-for-a-bumpy-digital-ride-177752.html)
The cloud has pushed identity to its breaking point. What's next? (https://www.technewsworld.com/story/the-cloud-has-pushed-identity-to-its-breaking-point-whats-next-177750.html)
Chipper Cash execute's second round of layoffs in less than three months after axing 12.5% of staff
(https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/20/chipper-cash-executes-second-round-of-layoffs-less-than-three-months-after-axing-12-5-of-staff/)
Toyota research institute svp on the difficulty of building the perfect home robot (https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/18/toyota-research-institute-svp-on-the-difficulty-of-building-the-perfect-home-robot/)
…Some random entertainment in the World of WordPress!
…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/
Let's have a peek at our Contests for this week…
Firstly we want to thank Simple Giveaways for being totally awesome and providing us with their Premium Version for our contests!
Secondly we want to thank Steve Goodtime & Brant Matthews for creating our amazing jingle we still use!!
And we want to thank Charlie for coming to our aid and rescue yet again with another fantastic contest!
Enter for your chance to win
Breakdance Page Builder One-Year Licence valued at $149 each
Breakdance Page Builder
The New Platform For WordPress Website Creation
With 120 built-in elements, a modern UI and workflow, and deep WooCommerce integration, Breakdance is the ultimate website builder plugin for WordPress.
Click HERE to visit BreakDance
…To Enter, head on over to wppluginsatoz.com/giveaway and enter for your chance to win!…
If any Developers out there listening right now are interested in adding to the show by donating a Premium License for our Contests, you can do so by going to WPPluginsAtoZ.com/PluginContest!
Time to dive in to the meat and potatoes of plugin depravity!
Off we go….
WordPress Plugins
————————————————-
John's Plugin
Embed ChatGPT OpenAI
https://wordpress.org/plugins/shortcode-chatgpt-openai/
The Lowdown:
Embed ChatGPT OpenAI plugin allows you to embed chatbot in website with Artificial Intelligence, which have answers to all the questions you have in your mind.
Rating 4 Dragons
————————————————-
Amber's Plugin
Smart Sitemap Generator
https://wordpress.org/plugins/smart-sitemap-generator/
The Lowdown:
This plugin is designed to recreate your sitemaps for you every 24 hours. Once installed and activated, you will find the dashboard under ‘Settings'. Here you can choose whether or not to update your sitemaps for posts, pages, or products, or all 3, how often the sitemaps are regenerated, whether or not to regenerate sitemaps after you update/publish posts, whether or not to use the ‘generate sitemaps smartly' at all.
You can also activate and deactivate this through plugins such as Yoast SEO, all in one SEO, or Rank Math SEO.
This can be very useful for helping your SEO along for the search engines, and having it automatically doing this job saves you time in the long run.
Rating: 4 Dragons
————————————————-
John's Plugin
Planetary Position
https://wordpress.org/plugins/planetary-position/
The Lowdown:
This plugin displays the current UTC / GMT panchang details, planetary positions both tropical and sidereal, and phase of the moon. Additionally, the positions of planets is displayed in ‘wheel’ of zodiac signs / nakshatras or lunar mansions.
Rating 4 Dragons
————————————————-
Amber's Plugin
Sort Settings Menu
https://wordpress.org/plugins/sort-settings-menu/
The Lowdown:
This is a useful plugin for those looking for just a little more organization in their ‘Settings' menu.
This is a plug ‘n' play one – once you install and activate it, it will automatically reorganize your ‘Settings' menu so that all plugins are alphabetically organized for you.
Especially useful if you have a lot of plugins where the dashboard lives in the ‘Settings' menu.
Rating: 5 Dragons
We Interrupt the Meat and Potatoes of Plugin Depravity Edition to bring you our Donations Segment and to thank our Producers!
Since we just work here, it's up to you, our Producers, to keep the show's larders stocked with Time, Treasure, or Talent Donations! If you need more information on how to do that, you can check out our site wppluginsatoz.com – right up in the menu you will see the definition for each one under ‘Donations'!
Special thanks goes to:
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 you get to be part of 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!
…The Producership Credit we offer is REAL! 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!
…'being part of 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!
Thank you, now back to the Meat and Potatoes of Plugin Depravity Edition!
John's Plugin
Advanced WordPress Reset
https://wordpress.org/plugins/advanced-wp-reset/
The Lowdown:
Advanced WordPress reset’ plugin will reset and restore your WordPress Database to its first original status in order to make a fresh installation without going through the WordPress traditional installation. You can also reset specific items by executing tools such as: clean up the “uploads” folder, delete all comments, remove all plugins, etc.
This plugin will help you save time, especially if you are a developer and you have to install WordPress from scratch every time after testing some plugins/themes.
Rating 4 dragons
————————————————-
Amber's Plugin
Remove Deleted Pages from Search Index
https://wordpress.org/plugins/remove-deleted-pages-from-search-index/
The Lowdown:
This is another plug ‘n' play one where all you need to do is install and activate it. Once activated, it will remove the deleted pages from the search engines, making sure that your deleted pages will not be searchable anymore.
Unfortunately there is no way to check it is working, except for going to a search engine and trying to look up one of your deleted pages. If the search returns a 410 error, than you know the plugin is working.
Rating: 4 Dragons
————————————————-
ClassicPress
ClassicPress is at a crossroads right now, we aren't sure whether or not they are going to stick around. It seems that either option they choose will have a lot of hard bumps ahead – I hope that they manage to keep ClassicPress going, that they become super strong and amazing like I know they can, and that they manage to keep that part of themselves that caused us to like them so much in the first place.
…A little about ClassicPress for those who aren't sure: ClassicPress is WordPress frozen at version 4.9. Once WordPress moved to 5, they added in a whole lot of new folders, and the experimental additions to the Core started in earnest. ClassicPress is literally the Classic version of WordPress. A few plugins have been made over the years for just ClassicPress, though all Plugins compatible with WordPress 4.9 should work for ClassicPress.
To any ClassicPress user listening right now: I challenge you – yes YOU – to write a review of your favourite, or least favourite ClassicPress plugin, and send it into us! You can do so by hitting us up at https://wppluginsatoz.com/submit-plugin-review/!
…And feel free to add more to this section by reaching out to me at amber@wppro.ca.
ClassicPress Resource Section:
This information is like Fruit Cake! It doesn't wither away and will still be good years down the road so it's great for learning! Go and check this section out in our Show Notes if you have an interest!
…We have thrown some ClassicPress Resources in here for you – and they appear to have stuck like well cooked pasta! Glad you made it to this part of the notes since we only mention it lightly on the show – If we missed something, let us know!
…Learn 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
…ClassicPress Tutorials on their site:
…https://www.classicpress.net/category/tutorials/
…ClassicPress's “Must Have” Plugins List:
…https://forums.classicpress.net/t/must-have-plugins-list/1163
…ClassicPress Repository!!
…https://directory.classicpress.net/plugins They now have 71 plugins (and counting!) available.
…WordPress Plugin Section compatible with ClassicPress:
…https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/classicpress/
Questions, Notes, and Feedback from our Producers out there:
…Send us your thoughts and opinions, but most of all send us your questions! No such thing as a stupid question people! I was new not too long ago, and I know how overwhelming it can be stepping into this world at this stage – I know for a fact that questions you have are the same questions others out there have!
Nothing this week, seems our homing pigeons didn't find their way home yet!
How to be part of your own production!
Interviews – get yourself out there using us as your tool!
…Looking for a way to get your name and work out there? Use us as a stepping stone! Hit us up at https://wppluginsatoz.com/interview
Send in Plugin Reviews, or suggestions for Plugin reviews!
…Have a plugin you love? Or one you really think people should avoid? Reach out to us and get your words and opinion out into the world by hitting us up at https://wppluginsatoz.com/submit-plugin-review/
Send in questions and/or comments!
…Have a thought to share? Send it in! You can stay anonymous or belt your name out in all caps!
Stuff and reminders about Stuff:
As mentioned at the beginning of the show, we are moving the show time to Mondays at noon-thirty PST. The pre-stream will begin around 12:15 PM PST, so join us for our pre-show chat while we adjust everything before the show.
Meetups:
Nothing yet, though be sure to keep an eye here for the next Meet Up, eventually we will get it going!
Random:
Remember you can check out our Show Notes on our site wppluginsatoz.com! There is extra information to grab up there that we don't even speak out loud on the show!
Today's Plugins we covered were:
John’s Plugins:
- Embed ChatGPT OpenAI – 4
- Planetary Position – 4
- Advanced WordPress Reset – 4
Amber's Plugins:
- Smart Sitemap Generator – 4
- Sort Settings Menu – 5
- Remove Deleted Pages from Search Index – 4
Ways to support the show!
You can support us by Subscribing to our Newsletter, Donating, or reviewing us on Stitcher Radio, Google Play, or the iTunes Store.
Join us on our Facebook, and hit the *Like* button on our YouTube Channel!
…Just showing up to our YouTube Channel and joining us live every Thursday at 11am PDT is a FANTASTIC show of support! So is joining our FaceBook page and hitting *Share* on our posts every once in a while!
…Giving a review of us on any of the platforms listed above would be super helpful too!
Want to get ahold of us???
If you still do Snail Mail, you can send an actual, physical letter or item to this Brick and Mortar address:
…(Pssst! I love receiving things that are not bills! Especially art if you enjoy drawing – no matter what age!)
WP Plugins A to Z
C/O John Overall
20-754 E Fairview Rd.
Victoria, BC V9A 5T9
Canada
OR, you can email us!
Amber: amber@wppro.ca
John: john@wppro.ca
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 – let's see if we can stump my dad!
- What is your opinion on Elon Musk's Starlink?
- Is creating video games at all like building websites?
I have a couple more questions for my dad just after the closing credits, for those listening elsewhere, you will have to make your way over to the YouTube's!
Questions asked after closing credits:
- Have you ever built a video game before?
- Would it be possible to design a website based on a game – for example, in order to get to the next available post you need to get the character to jump over a certain allotment of barriers or something. Not sure that would work very well, but would it be possible do you think?
One more time for the ways to contact us!
Our Brick and Mortar Address – just in case you decide to send along a gift!
(Especially art if you enjoy drawing – no matter what age!)
WP Plugins A to Z
C/O John Overall
20-754 E Fairview Rd.
Victoria, BC V9A 5T9
Canada
Fastest way to contact us:
John:
- My website: http://www.johnoverall.com/
- WordPress Emergency Support: http://wppro.ca/wpemergency
- email: john@wppro.ca
Amber:
- email: amber@wppro.ca
