Site Review: WP Engineer

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Chad

WP Engineer is a great site for WordPress developers and power users loaded with tips and tricks for WordPress.  It is the brainchild of three self-proclaimed “WordPress Junkies,” Alexander Frison, Frank Bültge, and Michael Preuss, each a WordPress developer in his own right.   Continue reading →

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Customize the WP-Members™ stylesheet

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Chad

WP-Members™ is designed to work out-of-the-box, yet be extensible and customizable.  The layout of the forms and dialog messages are a good example, with the ability to easily define a custom stylesheet in the plugin options.  Continue reading →

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WP-Members™ video tutorial

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Chad

Here is a nice video tutorial on how to install and set up WP-Members.  This was done by SiteSparker, who offers WordPress training, design, and hosting.  I’m glad they have listed WP-Members™ in their Plugin Favorites.  Continue reading →

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Finding the perfect theme vs. What’s my time worth

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Chad

A great many WordPress users (yours truly included) spend a lot of time hunting down themes looking for that “perfect” theme to fit their new site.  They scour through loads of free themes and theme clubs looking for that one that is just right.  Once they’ve found something they like, then they spend a great deal of time and effort to customize it to their liking.

There is nothing inherently wrong with this approach, especially if you are on a tight budget.  But have you considered what your time is worth?   Continue reading →

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WP-Members™ 2.6 upgrade project notes

Posted on July 17, 2011 by Chad

I have been working on a number of updates from the master project list to include in the upcoming WP-Members™ 2.6 version upgrade release.  Here are the main new features you can expect.  Continue reading →

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Site Review: WordPress Code Snippets

Posted on July 17, 2011 by Chad

Are you a WordPress admin, developer, designer, or otherwise creating WordPress sites? Do you struggle with finding good examples of the power of hooks and filters in customizing your WordPress installation?  Then you need to bookmark WordPress Code Snippets at wpsnipp.com.  Continue reading →

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Hard disk forensics and data recovery

Posted on July 16, 2011 by Chad

So your hard disk crashed and you’ve lost all your data – important files, photos of the kids, your contact list and save emails.  You are frustrated because you know you should have been performing backups on a regular basis, but you didn’t and now the data is gone for ever.  Or is it?

It’s not gone completely and you can get it back.  What is the magic bullet?  Hard disk forensics.

Hard disk forensics is based on the fact that when a file is deleted from the file system, it actually still resides on the hard disk. It has merely been removed from the file system’s memory. Think in terms of a filing cabinet with labeled folders. Deleting a folder just pulls the label off the folder but it is still there. Only if you actually pull that folder out and shred it are the contents irretrievable.   Continue reading →

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Changing the wp_mail “from” address with a plugin

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Chad

In a previous post, I discussed the ease of filtering the “from” address that wp_mail will send email from. This was done using a filter added to your theme’s functions file (functions.php).  I always prefer using the functions file for simple filters and actions as a plugin is often overkill for what is necessary.  Continue reading →

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Forcing translated field names when using translation files with WP-Members™

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Chad

WP-Members™ stores all of its registration field names and some of the user dialogs in the WordPress database.  If you are installing localized translation files for WP-Members™ on a WordPress installation where you have already activated the WP-Members™ plugin, you will likely find that the translated fields names do not load into the database.  Continue reading →

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Changing the wp_mail from address in WordPress without a plugin

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Chad

One of the most common questions regarding the WP-Members™ plugin is, “How do I change the email address from wordpress@mydomain.com?”  I suspect that until they use this plugin, most people are unaware that WordPress has its own function for sending email and that it has a default address that it send from.  If they are aware, most users opt for changing this with a plugin.  Continue reading →

Posted in WordPress, WP-Members | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments