It's Episode 540 and we have plugins for ShortCode Rumbles, Multi-Count Down, Restricting Users, Black Listing, Karen's Dark Mode, Vaptcha... and ClassicPress Options. It's all coming up on WordPress Plugins A-Z!

Hooking The Big WordPress Plugins

Hooking The Big WordPress Plugins

It's Episode 540 and we have plugins for ShortCode Rumbles, Multi-Count Down, Restricting Users, Black Listing, Karen's Dark Mode, Vaptcha… and ClassicPress Options. It's all coming up on WordPress Plugins A-Z!

Shortcodes for Rumble, Display Multiple Countdown, WooCommerce Products Restricted Users, Blacklist & Whitelist Domains for Registration, Night Mode Karen Lite, TomS Vaptcha……. and ClassicPress options on Episode 539.

John's Intro:

Welcome to the Christmas season remember your families… …..

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…

Producer Credits:

Executive producer:

Nobody this week. Maybe next week!

Show Art:

Greg's Graphics (Greg Holdsworth) — https://gregsgraphics.com

All the show notes can be found at: WPPluginsAtoZ.com

Check out all the art work at https://wppluginsatoz.com/show-art-submitted/
To Submit Artwork go here https://wppluginsatoz.com/artwork/

Amber's Rant:

This is #47 of 52 episodes for 2021! Only 5 more episodes until the number resets! I have been thinking about 2022 and how the number of the year = 6. Ever feel like a number haunts you in life? Like you find yourself always getting that number parking stall, or that number apartment, or that number just keeps showing up in multiples in things like your phone number?

For me, I am haunted by 6 and 3. More specifically, the number 6 keeps appearing via 3's in my life. The meaning of both 3 and 6 are really interesting!

Numerology is really interesting, if you find you have the time, I recommend you go and check it out – and look into the number 6 since that is what this next year will be. And remember – can't properly focus on numerology if you are listening to the media or looking at Facebook, so be sure to turn those off for a while!

Rinse and repeat as often as needed.

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

News this week:

This week's Patchstack Vulnerability report – This weeks report focuses mainly on the Gravatar Breach and Web History.

Gravatar says it was not hacked after “Have I been Pwned” service notifies users of a breach – Gravatar is currently dodging the questions, but they are claiming that they have not been hacked, but that 72% of the email addresses that received the ‘have I been pwned' data breech checker service were already logged with them.

WordPress Vulnerability Report: Part 2 – The plugins to pay attention to from Part 2, are: Stetic, Contact Form With Captcha, ClickBank Affiliate Ads, and Canto. There are no known fixes for these plugins, and it is suggested that you uninstall and delete them.

Dependency Confusion – Dependency Confusion is something that is caused when the auto-update functionality can be tricked into updating packages from the wrong source. This is a very good article and something worth reading if you allow auto-updating to occur.

Surge: A new page caching plugin for WordPress with no configuration required – Exciting news! WordPress Core Contributor Konstantin Kovshenin has released a new page caching plugin called Surge that stores the cache files on the filesystem, leveraging the Linux kernel page cache for efficient in-memory caching and invalidation. Read more to learn all about it!

Gutenberg 12.1 fixes block appender layout shift, adds template list views, and enhances global styles – Latest release of Gutenberg has improvements that has a fix for the block appender layout shift, new global styles features, and improved templates list view.

Why protect websites before Winter Holidays – A great article explaining the reasons for upping your security for the Christmas Holidays is a good thing to do, and some very practical and great tips!

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

Month in WordPress – November 2021 – A great article on all the goings on of November 2021 for WordPress.

Hello Charts launches a native chart-building experience for the block editor – This offers a bar chart, a line chart, a pie chart, a polar area chart, and a radar chart!

Vizio responds to software freedom conservancy's GPL compliance lawsuit: will not release source code, files to move case to US federal court – The lawsuit was initiated in October 2021 against Vizio for shipping products with copyleft licenses but refusing to provide the source code after multiple attempts at contact since 2018. Read on to find out more!

Videomaker block theme targets film directors and video creators – Automattic's latest blockbase child theme is aimed at film directors and video creators. Seems to have better patterns, blocks, and layouts.

PHP foundation gains momentum with $280K estimated annual budget on open collective – Prominent members of the PHP community formed a new PHP foundation as a non-profit organization “to ensure the long life and prosperity of the PHP language”. And they have managed to raise more than the $280,000 estimated annual budget through donations! Read on to find out more.

Open source initiative launches new free membership level, opens 2022 OSS usage survey – So the survey's are good for something after all!

Microsofts new windows prompts try to stop people downloading Chrome – 'cause Chrome just isn't a good enough browser – they want you to use only Edge.

Tor's main site blocked in Russia as censorship widens – If you don't know what Tor is, then this won't be all that interesting for you. This is an article about Tor being caught in the net of censorship. Very interesting, worth having a look at.

Nine WiFi routers used by millions were vulnerable to 226 flaws – Most problematic WiFi routers found were the outdated Linux kernal in the firmware, outdated multimedia and VPN functions, over-reliance on older versions of BusyBox, use of weak default passwords like ‘admin', presence of hardcoded credentials in plain text form. Read on to find out more!

How to change the default browser in Windows 11 – A great ‘how-to' on changing the default browser in Windows 11 since the good old one-click default browser switch doesn't work anymore.

Microsoft exchange servers hacked to deploy BlackByte ransomware – The gang is now breaching corporate networks by exploiting Microsoft Exchange servers using the ProxyShell vulnerabilities. Read on to find out more!

 

The hall of shame via Automattic:
transparency.automattic.com/tag/hall-of-shame/

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

Support the show

This Show will not work without you, the producers, as it is a Value for Value model, meaning if you're getting any value out of it then give some value back and help the show out.

Start by subscribing to the newsletter for additional information and get out there round them up and rope them all in, belly up to the bar and enjoy. Spread the word about WP Plugins A to Z and catch it live every Thursday at noon PST on our YouTube Channel.

Show Producers

We'd like to acknowledge all the producers who have supported the show in the various ways over the last week.

This weeks show Art Work comes from:

Greg's Graphics (Greg Holdsworth) — https://gregsgraphics.com

To Submit Artwork go here https://wppluginsatoz.com/artwork/

Check out all the art work at https://wppluginsatoz.com/show-art-submitted/

This week's Executive Producer/'s are:

Nobody this week. Maybe next week!

A big thank you to all the Producers who came in under $50 and to those who have set up weekly subscriptions they will remain anonymous and I thank you very much.

All these small subscriptions really help the show out.

A big thank you to those who have hired me because of the Podcast, thank you that is as good as donating to the show.

You can Support the Show by:

Donating money to help the show Donations of $50 and over are credited with an Executive Producer Credit in the Show Notes, and their note is read out on the show.

Submitting art work at the WP Plugins Art generator,
To Submit Artwork go here https://wppluginsatoz.com/artwork/

Submit articles news and information

Submit plugin suggestions for reviews

You can also create a monthly donation at Patreon

Or something I may not have thought of.

If you would like to send something to WP Plugins A to Z you can send to the following address:

WP Plugins A to Z
C/O John Overall
20-754 E Fairview Rd.
Victoria, BC V9A 5T9
Canada

Off we go into the meat and potatoes, Into the depths of plugin depravity…..

ClassicPress Options

ClassicPress is growing really well, but I just don't have the time to add reviews on ClassicPress myself. I am always open to reviews sent in by listeners; though unless there is a review sent into me on ClassicPress, I am not going to do more than mention that ClassicPress is a thing, and here are some resources. I hope some listeners out there find this information useful!

One thing I am looking forward to in the ClassicPress World is the expansion of the number of ClassicPress specific plugins and their own repository. There are a few plugins specifically for ClassicPress and all plugins for WordPress 4.9.9 work well on it. I do believe it has a future, I just have not time to help them in getting it out there.

ClassicPress News:

No updates for ClassicPress this week!

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

It seems ClassicPress now has it own repository you can check it here https://directory.classicpress.net/plugins they now have 83 plugins available.

CodePotent's plugin directory
https://codepotent.com/classicpress/plugins/

WordPress Plugins

Are you looking for some great newly released plugins check this link
https://wordpress.org/plugins/browse/new/

——————————–

John's Plugin

Shortcodes for Rumble

https://wordpress.org/plugins/shortcodes-for-rumble/

Version:1.0.0
Requires:5.8.2 or higher
Compatible up to:5.8.9
Released:08 December 2021
Downloads:653
Last Updated:18 December 2021
Ratings:
0
(0 star out of 5)

The Lowdown:

This is a plugin to make it easier to embed Rumble videos into your site using a short code. It allows you to customize the layout a bit and make the display a bit better.

Rating 4 Dragons

——————————–

Amber's Plugin

Blacklist & Whitelist Domains for Registration

https://wordpress.org/plugins/blacklist-whitelist-domains/

Version:1.0
Requires:4.0 or higher
Compatible up to:5.8.9
Released:13 November 2021
Downloads:855
Last Updated:15 December 2021
Ratings:
3
(3 star out of 5)

The Lowdown:

This is a pretty nifty plugin designed for people who have need of blacklisting and whitelisting domains for their site!

Very easy to use, simply download and activate, go to the ‘Domains for Registration' on the menu bar, and enter the desired domain into either ‘whitelisted domains' or ‘blacklisted domains', save changes and off you go!

You also have the option to add in a message for the blacklisted domains to receive when they are refused entry.

Free and useful, Blacklist & Whitelist Domains for registration, go check it out!

Rating 5 Dragons

——————————–

John's Plugin

Display Multiple Countdown

https://wordpress.org/plugins/display-multiple-countdown/

Version:1.0
Requires:5.5 or higher
Compatible up to:5.8.9
Released:02 December 2021
Downloads:554
Last Updated:02 December 2021
Ratings:
5
(5 star out of 5)

The Lowdown:

Display multiple countdowns on a single page or post of WordPress with the help of short codes. Now you are not restricted to display a single countdown timer, with Display Multiple Countdown WordPress Plugin, you may now place as many countdowns on any page or post of your WordPress website

Rating 4 Dragons

——————————–

Amber's Plugin

Night Mode Karen Lite

https://wordpress.org/plugins/dark-mode-karen-lite/

Version:1.0.0
Requires:4.7 or higher
Compatible up to:5.8.9
Released:16 November 2021
Downloads:979
Last Updated:16 November 2021
Ratings:
0
(0 star out of 5)

The Lowdown:

This is a decent light weight plugin for dark mode, though they only give you the option of ‘on/off', unless you buy the premium.

The plugin throws on an ‘on/off' switch to the home page for your visitors, and when it is turned ‘on', the back end is in dark mode. Though the option on the home page does not show up unless the plugin is activated – so if you want the option for your visitors, you have to have the dark mode on in the back end as well. A little frustrating if you don't want the dark mode for the back end, but it works great if you don't mind.

Bonus to this dark mode, is it does not seem to make anything invisible on the pages and posts, which seems to be a common issue for a lot of the dark modes I have tried out!

Rating 4 Dragons

——————————–

John's Plugin

WooCommerce Products Restricted Users

https://wordpress.org/plugins/woo-products-restricted-users/

Version:0.5.3
Requires:3.4 or higher
Compatible up to:6.4.3
Released:21 April 2019
Downloads:9272
Last Updated:09 November 2023
Ratings:
5
(5 star out of 5)

The Lowdown:

This could be a great plugin that will allow you to have products for specific groups on your website. Special customers for special deals and more. The only limitation I see right now is you have to list the different users individually.

Rating 4 dragons

——————————–

Amber's Plugin

TomS Vaptcha

https://wordpress.org/plugins/toms-vaptcha/

Version:1.1.2
Requires:5.8 or higher
Compatible up to:5.9.9
Released:09 December 2021
Downloads:4157
Last Updated:04 March 2022
Ratings:
0
(0 star out of 5)

The Lowdown:

Toms Vaptcha is a type of verification plugin. This supports Click, invisible and embedded, WordPress default login form, register form, lost password form, comment form, custom v3.js Url, and more!

Something kind of cool is that they offer dark and light mode styles, it has the option to change out the Area and Language from Auto Detect to a different language offered in the list.

This is completely free, and worth checking out, all you need to do is throw in your API and KEY.

Rating 5 Dragons

——————————–

Random links for plugins

WordPress plugins crafted from love and experience
https://codeat.co/

Listener Feedback / Audio Clips

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

Listener Questions

If you have any you would like to have asked, please feel free to send them in! Remember, there's no such thing as a stupid question!

Enter The Contest to Win!!

Contests Powered by Simple Giveaways who kindly provides us with the premium version for our contests.

Steve Goodtime & Brant Matthews created a new jingle for us for contests.

I do want to thank Charlie for coming to the aid of the show and getting our contests all organized. I also want to thank all the developers again for supporting our show with their plugin donations! Please check them out.

Short note about participating in the contests folks. Remember we go to great efforts to get these licenses and look for more participation from you the producers.

Our contest is for:

We have a new Contest sponsored by JohnOverall.com Web hosting services.

We're giving away a ONE YEAR Hosting Package…. Valued at $350.00

When it comes to running your website, who you are hosting with is one of the top considerations you need to make. You want a reputable hosting company that is reliable, has great service and offers a package that meets your needs. Hosting with JohnOverall.com is for the discerning user and most of our clients have been with us for more than 15 years. The reason is because the number of clients allowed per server are limited to obtain maximum performance for everyone.

Enter Contest Here

The plugins we covered were:

John’s Plugins: Shortcodes for Rumble – 4, Display Multiple Countdown – 4, WooCommerce Products Restricted Users – 4

Amber's Plugins: Blacklist & Whitelist Domains for Registration – 5, Night Mode Karen Lite – 4, TomS Vaptcha – 5

 

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

Reminders / Commercial / Promotions:

Next Week:

No meetup planned at the moment but you can keep tabs on this at https://wppluginsatoz.com/meetup

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!

  • What are API's and Keys?
  • What do you need an API and Key for?
  • Can one use the same API and Key for everything, or are different API's and Key's needed for every plugin?

Closing out this Episode

Just some reminders:

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You can support the show at wppluginsatoz.com/donate

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