Lightbox Plus Demo and Example

I’ve updated Lightbox Plus to version 1.5.5.  It has numerous fixes including:

• Optimized and updated additional code to use less memory and run faster
• Separated the admin panel output to a separate file
• Added some custom admin panel styles
• Fixed bug where titles were being broken when DO NOT USE TITLE is checked.
• Fixed issue with limited character sets – should allow any characters in the title
• Updated ColorBox to version 1.2.9
• Some cosmetic changes to admin panel

You can get it from WordPress.org or 23systems download Lightbox Plus 2.4.6 directly.

As a freelance web developer, time is money. I use many different tricks to increase my productivity and these are my top selections for saving time. Please make you own suggestions for other time savers in the comments.

Drop Down Menus

All Web Menus (http://www.likno.com/allwebmenusinfo.html )
Whenever I need to add a complex drop-down menu to a site, I turn to All Web Menus. This program styles a complex multi level menu in less time then it takes to type the text. All websites need menus and for detailed menus, you should try All Web Menus.

Time saved: 1 Hour per menu.

Image Capture

Gadwin Printscreen (http://www.gadwin.com/printscreen/)
Gadwin Printscreen utility replaces windows standard printscreen keyboard button with more options and flexibility. It loads on windows startup and runs silently in the background without consuming system resources but it’s always there when you need it. Instead of just capturing the entire screen view, Gadwin allows you to select a rectangular area very precisely with the help of a built in magnifying window. This tool is invaluable to my work. I often use it to grab different pieces to mock up a design.

Time saved: 2 Minutes per screen capture.

Read More at [Re]Encoded dot Com » 10 Ways to Save Time While Building a Website

PHP Logo

Today is 8/8/8, which is interesting for a few reasons, one of which is that it marks the end of PHP 4. What does this mean? It means yesterday’s release of 4.4.9 is the final release of PHP 4. More information can be gleaned from the mailing list archives, beginning with Derick’s request to drop support:

I am trying to gauge what people feel about dropping support for PHP 4 at the end of this year.

Derick caveated his suggestion with the idea of continuing to publish new releases that address security vulnerabilities. Rasmus didn’t see the point:

I don’t really understand what dropping support means if we will still release security fixes. That’s the mode we have been in for at least a year, so what would change at the end of the year?

He suggested a stronger stance:

I’d be more in favour of a statement that put a final death date on it which means no new releases of any sort. We could still say security-fixes only by the end of the year and then death by 08/08/08 or something like that.

So, here we are. PHP 4 is dead. Long live PHP.

Read More at Chris Shiflett: End of Life for PHP 4

The Fantasy Years

The Fantasy Years

I re-implemented the design based on user’s existing design. Converted from tabled layout to CSS/DIV layout. Site is designed to be read as a sequential novel that is easy for the user to update.

Texas Digital Library

Texas Digital Library

Rebuilt, redesigned and re-architected Texas Digital Library website.  Co-created the design and implemented the HTML/CSS/JS layout of the design. Created custom templates and deployed the site using WordPress. Created custom plugins and functions in PHP and jQuery for WordPress to use with the TDL website. Responsible for site performance, security and users. Optimized site for performance security using a variety of tests, and backend adjustments.

Share350.0

Share 350.0 – A plan for regional sustainability

Along with Austin 350 organization I determined requirements for site.  Planned project and implementation.  Per request I created the design based on artwork of Randy Jewart one of the directors. Implemented site using WordPress, created custom WordPress templates and site content. Wrote a custom plugin called Actionable (using PHP) as one of the primary goals of Share350.0 is to encourage people to be more sustainable and Actionable allows people track their progress.

Open Repositories

Open Repositories

Re-implemented the design based on the existing design. Implemented a simple brochure style site with a few dynamic elements using PHP and deployed the site to servers. Updated text and image based content and links.

Melanie Sallis

Melanie Sallis

Created site for Melanie Sallis to display her artwork online. Created design for site in consultation with Melanie Sallis. Created HTML/CSS layout and custom templates. Implemented and deployed site using WordPress. Initiated Lightbox Plus plugin for WordPress during this project to allow for overlay display of images in gallery.

Green Life Eco-Consulting

Green Life Eco-Consulting

The primary requirement was to move the site to a CMS that was easier for the owner to work with.  Converted entire site from table based HTML page to HTML/CSS based layout in WordPress, including images and content. Wrote several custom PHP and JavaScript functions to allow a variety of content to be displayed in the left column and menus. Trained owner on how to use WordPress.

Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute

Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute

Scoped the contract project and worked closely with CDRI to determine their requirements. Created the design and implemented HTML/CSS/JS layout and templates. Deployed the site using WordPress and created a custom theme for CDRI and managed the project for the duration. Created custom artwork as needed. Developed custom template functions using PHP. Create dozens of forms for donations, memberships and more using HTML/PHP/jQuery.

Basic Roleplaying

Basic Roleplaying

Responsible for all aspects of this site from design and implementation to deployment and content. One of the co-operators for Basic Roleplaying which is a role-playing game resource site for Chaosium’s Basic Roleplaying.  Site is created using WordPress, bbPress and MediaWiki with single sign on. bbPress and MediaWiki share a user base and theme with WordPress. Implemented significant performance and security enhancements to site including custom PHP functions to block bad queries and SQL injection attacks, implementation of Alternative PHP Cache, locking down site and enhancing performance using .htaccess rules.

Active Power

Active Power

Rebuilt, redesigned and re-architected the Active Power website. Created the templates and implemented the HTML/CSS/JS layout of the design.  Created custom templates and deployed the site using Typo3.  Created custom extensions and functions in PHP and jQuery.  Responsible for site performance, security and users including ensuring that extranet is secure. Optimized site for performance security using a variety of tests, and backend adjustments.

Austin Child Guidance Center

Austin Child Guidance Center

Primary requirement was to move the site to a CMS that was easier for the site maintainer to work with. After demoing several CMS options WordPress was agreed upon. I ported entire website to WordPress, including images and content. Converted design from table based layout in to CSS/HTML based layout for WordPress. Wrote several custom PHP functions to allow a variety of content to be displayed in the right sidebar and load different headers based on site location. Trained users on how to use WordPress.

23Systems (2311 Theme)

23Systems Web Devsign

Responsible for all aspects of this site from design and implementation to deployment and content.  As proprietor of 23Systems it has been a launching point for freelance web work and open-source software contributions. The site is created using WordPress and Mingle forums.  Implemented significant performance and security enhancements to site including custom PHP functions to block bad queries and SQL injection attacks, implementation of Alternative PHP Cache, locking down site and enhancing performance using .htaccess rules.