1stwebdesigner |
- No More Hassle: The WordPress Hacks to an Easy Life
- 30 Stunning Business Cards for Your Inspiration
- Bring up the Verve: Why Write Your Own Book
| No More Hassle: The WordPress Hacks to an Easy Life Posted: 27 Aug 2014 05:00 AM PDT There is no doubt. People love hacks about WordPress. Being the most popular CMS in the planet, WordPress offers more flexibility now than it was first released. There is no better way to make your WordPress life easier than to avail of these WordPress hacks. Modifying WordPress blogs gives more freedom to the owners of the sites. It allows the owners to do things they can’t find on their default themes, thus, adding values to their sites. In this article, you will learn some of the most outstanding WP hacks that you will definitely find useful.
1. Display External RSS Feed on Your SiteIf you are wondering how you can display blog feeds that are coming from other sites for some extra promotions and traffic, you might want to check the codes below. Just paste the following code anywhere in your theme and it will pull out and loop the blog feeds. <?php include_once(ABSPATH.WPINC.'/feed.php'); $rss = fetch_feed('http://feeds.feedburner.com/1stwebdesigner'); $maxitems = $rss->get_item_quantity(3); $rss_items = $rss->get_items(0, $maxitems); ?> <ul> <?php if ($maxitems == 0) echo '<li>No items.</li>'; else // Loop through each feed item and display each item as a hyperlink. foreach ( $rss_items as $item ) : ?> <li> <a href='<?php echo $item->get_permalink(); ?>' title='<?php echo 'Posted '.$item->get_date('j F Y | g:i a'); ?>'> <?php echo $item->get_title(); ?></a> </li> <?php endforeach; ?> </ul> 2. Display the Number of Twitter Followers in Your SiteAlthough there are a lot of WordPress plugins out there that you can use to show your Twitter follower count. But sometimes a plugin is not necessary. Here’s how this easily be done. A. Create twitter-count.php file on the root directory of your theme. <?php $twitter_count = get_option("twitterfollowerscount"); if ($twitter_count ['lastcheck'] < ( mktime() – 3600 ) ) { $xml=file_get_contents('http://twitter.com/users/show.xml?screen_name=1stwebdesigner'); if (preg_match('/followers_count>(.*)</',$xml,$match)!=0) { $twitter_count['count'] = $match[1]; } $twitter_count ['lastcheck'] = mktime(); update_option("twitterfollowerscount",$twitter_count); } echo $twitter_count['count']; ?> Note: Replace the 1stwebdesigner title on this line. $xml=file_get_contents('http://twitter.com/users/show.xml?screen_name=1stwebdesigner'); [/javscript] <p>C. Include the file on any page template you want it to appear and it will display on any pages you include it on.</p> 1 <?php include("twitter-count.php"); ?> 3. Change the Default Gravatar ImageBy default, there is this mystery man image as the default gravatar of a WordPress theme. This might be fine but if you want to brand your site, changing it will add more value to your site. Here’s how you do it. A. Open functions.php add_filter( 'avatar_defaults', 'branded_gravatar' ); function branded_gravatar ($avatar_defaults) { $brandedavatar = get_bloginfo('template_directory') . '/images/branded_gravatar.gif'; $avatar_defaults[$brandedavatar] = "1WD"; return $avatar_defaults; } This code will add a new gravatar at the WordPress admin panel. To check, simply go to Settings -> Discussion and you’ll see a new gravatar has been created and can be selected as the official gravatar of an anonymous user. 4. Retrieve Your Most Popular Posts Without a PluginYou can easily retrieve the most recent posts on your blog; however, for the most popular posts, you might need a plugin. Although there are a lot of plugins available out there to achieve that effect, you simply use this blocks of codes to retrieve your most popular posts in the blog. Just open your sidebar.php file and paste the following codes on it. <h2>Popular Posts</h2> <ul> <?php $result = $wpdb->get_results("SELECT comment_count,ID, post_title FROM $wpdb->posts ORDER BY comment_count DESC LIMIT 0 , 4"); foreach ($result as $post) { setup_postdata($post); $postid = $post->ID; $title = $post->post_title; $commentcount = $post->comment_count; if ($commentcount != 0) { ?> <li><a href="<?php echo get_permalink($postid); ?>" title="<?php echo $title ?>"> <?php echo $title ?></a> {<?php echo $commentcount ?>}</li> <?php } } ?> </ul> The $wpdb object will get a list of the 4 posts that have the most of the comments. The popular posts will be set in an unordered list. 5. Set an Expiration Date for Your PostsIf you want your posts to be removed on your blog within a specific time or date, this WordPress hack will be very useful to you. Instead of manually deleting it on the posts list, you can use the following codes. All you need to do is manipulate your WordPress loop with the following code. <?php if (have_posts()) : while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?> $expirationtime = get_post_custom_values('expiration'); if (is_array($expirationtime)) { $expirestring = implode($expirationtime); } $secondsbetween = strtotime($expirestring)-time(); if ( $secondsbetween > 0 ) { // For example… the_title(); the_excerpt(); } endwhile; endif; ?> 6. Disable HTML in WordPress CommentsMost of the user who posts comments in your blogs place hyperlinks in their comments, which sends your site a lot of spams. Most of these spammers use HTML to parse links and add it to your blog posts. There is an easy way to disable this in your site. You just need to copy the following codes to the functions.php. // This will occur when the comment is posted function plc_comment_post( $incoming_comment ) { // convert everything in a comment to display literally $incoming_comment['comment_content'] = htmlspecialchars($incoming_comment['comment_content']); // the one exception is single quotes, which cannot be #039; because WordPress marks it as spam $incoming_comment['comment_content'] = str_replace( "'", ''', $incoming_comment['comment_content'] ); return( $incoming_comment ); } // This will occur before a comment is displayed function plc_comment_display( $comment_to_display ) { // Put the single quotes back in $comment_to_display = str_replace( ''', "'", $comment_to_display ); return $comment_to_display; 7. Modify Excerpt LengthIf you are developing a WordPress theme or you are just a site owner trying to modify the length of the excerpt of the blog list, you might wonder if there is a way you can set up the number characters to display on your homepage or blog page. You can do it by opening your functions.php file and putting the following codes below. // Changing excerpt length function new_excerpt_length($length) { return 80; } add_filter('excerpt_length', 'new_excerpt_length'); You can change the return value to your preferred length of characters. 8. Set Default Post and Page EditorIf you prefer to use HTML editor than the Visual editor or vice versa when writing posts and pages, you can do that using the following snippets. First, open your functions.php file and then copy the code below on it. /* Display Visual Editor as default */ add_filter( 'wp_default_editor', create_function('', 'return "tinymce";') ); /* Display HTML Editor as default */ add_filter( 'wp_default_editor', create_function('', 'return "html";') ); 9. Add Class to a Featured ImageBy default, you simply add the featured image functionality in your WordPress blog using the the_post_thumbnail; however, if you want to style it you might need to parse some arguments on it. The code below will let you add a class in your featured image. <?php the_post_thumbnail('post-thumbnail', array( 'class'=> "featured-image-style")); ?> 10. Display Your Recent Tweets on Your WordPress SiteAlthough there are plenty of WordPress plugins available on the Web that can display your recent tweets, you can display them without the plugin. Simply copy the following snippet anywhere from your blog and it will display your most recent tweets. <?php $username = "1stwebdesigner "; // Place your twitter username here $prefix = ""; // Prefix – Place some text before you tweets. $suffix = ""; // Suffix – Place some text after you tweets. $feed = "http://search.twitter.com/search.atom?q=from:" . $username . "&rpp=1"; function parse_feed($feed) { $stepOne = explode("<content type=\"html\">", $feed); $stepTwo = explode("</content>", $stepOne[1]); $tweet = $stepTwo[0]; $tweet = str_replace("<", "<", $tweet); $tweet = str_replace(">", ">", $tweet); return $tweet; } $twitterFeed = file_get_contents($feed); echo stripslashes($prefix) . parse_feed($twitterFeed) . stripslashes($suffix); ?> 11. Customize Your WordPress Dashboard LogoIf you want to personalize your Dashboard logo, the following snippet will be helpful to you. Just copy the following code in your functions.php and add your logo in gif format inside your theme’s image directory. add_action('admin_head', 'custom_dashboard_logo'); function custom_dashboard_logo() { echo ' <style type="text/css"><!-- #header-logo { background-image: url('.get_bloginfo('template_directory').'/images/custom-logo.gif) !important; } --></style>'; } 12. Remove Error Message on the Login PageSome hackers might dig in when they see some error on your WordPress login page. This means that if the hacker got some details like the path of your theme through the error message, it can then be used to hack your site. By adding the following snippet on your functions.php, you can disable the error message from displaying in your login page. add_filter('login_errors',create_function('$a', "return null;")); ConclusionAnd that's really it folks! These will really help a lot when you want to customize your WordPress site the way you want it to be. There might be some other WordPress hacks out there but be careful enough when inserting them on your code because you might break some other codes on your site. |
| 30 Stunning Business Cards for Your Inspiration Posted: 27 Aug 2014 04:00 AM PDT Stunning business cards are very important identity for anyone who is working or owns a business. If you are a web designer, the business card can be your website identity to any client. It works as a bridge between you and your customers and creates a good and lasting impression. Like your website, business cards are also very essential elements- and with some designing creativity, you can add textures, materials or different shapes to your business cards. There is simply no rule in creatively designing your business card, everything matters including:
The very design of your business card, that should be eye catching so that people get the idea about what kind of an artist you are once they see your business card. Some designers also use letterpress business cards. There are many ideas for business cards such as graphical, typography, or just simple and original. Here is a list of some unique and fascinating business card examples that we have compiled for you today, you choose an idea for yours as well.
ConclusionWith the daily advancements in the world, every business is looking to shine and lead the market. Competition is getting stronger day by day and, most of the times, you only get one chance to show your skills to the world. Business cards give you the opportunity to create that first chance that will make your name in the world as a true designer. Business cards show your clients that what kind of a designer you are and how far you can go to make creativity possible. I hope you liked the stunning collection of professional business cards. |
| Bring up the Verve: Why Write Your Own Book Posted: 27 Aug 2014 03:00 AM PDT PrologueBooks can be boring. Reading a book can be even more boring to many people. To some, this is their personal qualm and sentiment, something that should be respected. After all, all people have their individual preferences. But have you heard how books and e-books have changed other people's lives? How they become rich without having to work hard? Are these enough motivation to make you write your own book? The Benefits of Writing a Book A lot of people nowadays are not so receptive with the idea of writing or publishing a book. People write books for many considerable reasons. Some would say it can be self-nourishing. For others, it is self-motivating. But, generally, for most people, it is income-generating. People reading your published books can invigorate their inner souls. Inspirational books are now being embraced by more followers and subscribers for these directly benefit them financially. A great example is the popular book, "Chicken Soup for the Soul" by brilliant writers Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Amy Newmark. For web developers and designers, writing a book or an e-book can be a productive way to enhance the writing skills and share knowledge to other people, a productive way of educating individuals of the important things in life. By doing so, it is an amazing process of giving knowledge and generating money respectively.
When you read books, usually, you get inspiration and guides to better lives. Some books change your outlook in life. You didn’t know it later that you became a better person.
You are forced to study, do research and organize facts and figures which you are meant to digest it.
In writing a book, you are actually writing something for other people. You gradually become more sensitive. You tend to appreciate writing more than the way you could never imagine.
You Can Be a Writer Superstar!Everyone can be writer and publish your very first book. Possessing a can-do attitude, surely, there is no reason for you to become one. Yes, YOU can.
For web designers and developers that are just starting, here are some ideas.
Big fires comes from small fires. A 400-word article a day is enough already. Later on, you just don’t know your masterpiece is selling like hotcakes.
Treating your book like partner can help a lot. You can also set a "call-off" but just don’t make it too long or else you get less motivated to continue writing.
Having an outline is very important. It is the skeleton of every article. It is what guides you.
Good ventilation and a well-lighted place can influence you write effectively. It is like giving yourself a new dimension when you start brainstorming. How Much Income Can You Get?
What genres/categories are people buying?There are still more people who like to spend time reading any kind of books. E-book consumers are becoming more diverse in their format preferences, though. According to Randomhouse,
According to OnlineIncomeTeacher: There are two royalty rates offered by Amazon;
This means, you have to cut the price of your book down. The cheaper the book, the more it will sell. Amazon lets you sell for as little as $0.99 in the US and £0.75 in the UK. For a first time writer, that's probably the best price to go for. It's hard for a first time writer to sell a book for more than £1. It means you have less demand but more supply. Consequently, prices and income decline also. You can use this to your advantage. Competition is so high among writers, publishers and authors. More Questions?
In writing a book, generally, you can expect to get an advance of $4,000 to $10,000. This is the money you pay back later. For a first timer, little amount of money is being given.
For example, if a book has a list price of $25.00 and if your contract says you get 10% royalties-off list, then you will get $2.50 per book. If you have 10% of net profits, then you will get around $1.25 per book.
You buy your book for at least half off the price and sell it to any publisher except the one you already have. You can sell it on your personal website or other websites. The Culmination of Knowledge
The effort and the information that are involved in book writing take rigorous time but the output is satisfyingly worth it. You get the money on the back end from people reading your book. Writing a book will help you clarify your brand and your message. What the Writers Look up To
End of the StoryIt is not too late for you to become a web designer or a web developer book guru. It just takes a splash of passion and a pinch of creativity to get the ball rolling. So what can you say? Share us your suggestions. |
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Have you felt that expressing your thoughts or ideas verbally is hard? It is easier to express them through writing, isn’t it? In turn, writing becomes a tool to better communication to express your feelings very well.
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Based on research, there are 3 ways an author makes money directly from their book:
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When does this knowledge lead to?
They say being a web developer and a designer is like being a celebrity. You gain fame and respect but, you know what is more fulfilling? You are able to touch other people's lives by educating them. You are able to share what you know. There are some who were successful by self-publishing their own books. They were able to turn other people’s hopelessness into positive vibes. You can become one also. Be inspired by these writers and authors. 1. 
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