Blog Entry
I love Beanstalk. We use it at Happy Cog and I use it on my personal projects (like this site). Their deployment tool is easy to use and because it uses (S)FTP, you can deploy to any server.
Christopher Imrie at moresoda tweaked EE Beanstalk deployments a little with an add-on that empties the cache after a new deployment:
This can present a slight problem when you have enabled caching on your ExpressionEngine powered site, since the system will be unaware of changes to any templates since they are being served statically until the cache expires. ideally we would want ExpressionEngine to refresh its cache after each Beanstalk deployment.
Hence we use a small in house add-on that utilises Beanstalk’s “Web Hooks” feature. Web Hooks are simply web addresses that Beanstalk will send information to before and after each deployment. Our add-on places a script at the location of the Web Hook, which in turns instructs ExpressionEngine to delete its cache.
Read more about it and download the add-on: ExpressionEngine Beanstalk Web Hook Addon
Blog Entry
We made some tweaks to the site this week, one of which was adding a new add-on category for Control Panel Themes.
- Crosslinking ($, for EE2) by IntoEEtive (Yuriy Salimovskiy)
Crosslinking extension can automatically turn the text into links using a pre-defined set of rules. It works both for channel entries and forum threads.
- Structure Navigation Title (for EE2) by Brian Litzinger
Structure Navigation Title creates a global variable to use as the channel:title parameter in your {exp:structure:nav} tag.
- Freeform Anti-Spam (for EE2) by Vaya Design
Freeform Anti-Spam protects your forms from spam submissions without making legitimate users jump through hoops with CAPTCHAs and the like. If you would prefer not to block spam submissions entirely, FAS can be configured to flag spam, so you can easily filter it out when it hits your inbox.
- Nerdery (for EE2) by Brian Litzinger
This is basically an anti-pink theme. It is intended to remove all the pink from the control panel, reduce the cartoonish rounded corners to something a bit more professional, and clean up some general alignment/padding/margin issues. It is not intended to be a huge overhaul, but instead a redux. It is a work in progress, though very usable. It will be kept light and very much in the spirit of the default theme.
- NSM Override CSS ($, for EE2) by Leevi Graham (Newism)
The current default CP design isn’t to everyones tastes. Override.css is a stylesheet that takes the default CP theme and adds consistency, improved contrast and greater user experience for content managers and ExpressionEngine implementors.
- Pages Autocomplete (for EE2) by iain
A simple accessory that turns the ‘Pages URI’ field on the publish page into an autocomplete text input.
- GWcode Alternate (for EE1 & EE2) by Leon Dijk (GWcode)
This simple plugin for ExpressionEngine 1 and 2 lets you rotate through any number of values to create alternations, for CSS classes for example.
- Super Globals Lite ($, for EE2) by Brian Litzinger
Super Globals Lite gives you quick and easy access to POST and GET variables in your templates without having to enable PHP.
Blog Entry
The latest issue of Net Magazine (May 2011), which just hit the newsstands and home delivery in the UK features a 4-page how-to article, authored by yours truly, on building a simple portfolio website with ExpressionEngine.
The article is definitely aimed at people newer to EE, who are looking for a real-world application of this ExpressionEngine CMS they’ve heard so much about. It includes all of the template code and assets you need to build the simple site on your own. But there’s certainly something there for everyone, even if you wanted to reaffirm how you approach building EE sites.
If you want to buy a digital version of the magazine (available only through Zinio), you can do that easily for $7.99 (they even have an iPad app, see below) The print version of the magazine will be available in the US in April.
Blog Entry
Last week a group of EE users got together in LA for the ExpressionEngine meetup. They had a special guest, too: EllisLab CEO Leslie Camacho. From the BrilliantRetail blog:
The event was capped off with a message from EllisLab, Inc. CEO Leslie Camacho (@knight777). Leslie spoke about his vision in this new roll as CEO and about the direction of ExpressionEngine’s future. We then held a question and answer period where he listened to and responded to a number inquires from the attendees.
They recorded an iPhone video to capture Leslie’s impromptu talk.
Blog Entry
Add-on developer Newsim launched override.css a few days ago, allowing you to easily override the default theme in the EE2 control panel.
This isn’t really an add-on or a theme (you just download and copy the css file and images to the default theme directory) but it does nicely tweak the default control panel.
The current design of the default CP isn’t to everyones tastes. Override.css is a stylesheet that takes the default CP theme and adds consistency, improved contrast and greater user experience for content managers and ExpressionEngine implementors.
The override.css download is not free. Newism cites the amount of time required to support and update the css file. It is, however, not expensive at its $AUD 9.95 (about $10.23 US) sale price.
Blog Entry
Brian Litzinger released a simple theme for the ExpressionEngine control panel.
It’s a very slight tweaking but perhaps enough to help take the edge off the default CP theme.
This is intended to be a simple revision of the default CP theme. It lessens the rounded corners, removes the pink (images too), and cleans up a few mis-guided pixels. It is not intended to be a full CP overhaul, just a redux. Click the Skitch link to see some screenshots.
Learn more about and download the theme: Nerdery Theme (GitHub page).
Blog Entry
This is a on-going series of entries where I highlight EE experiences.
Community input is great and all but I have a feeling that if it were entirely up to the community we’d be using pMPro v4 now.
Mike Boyink via Twitter
Blog Entry
On last Thursday’s live podcast, Lea and I talked to Rick Ellis, founder of EllisLab. If you haven’t met Rick before or heard him speak at EECI last year, he’s an extremely interesting person with a career in music and audio before learning how to develop for the web.
During the conversation we talk about the history behind EllisLab (and ExpressionEngine), Rick’s past careers and what he’s up to now in his founder role. This is one of my favorite episodes and I think you’ll enjoy it, too.
Listen or download at 5by5: EE Podcast 44: Rick Ellis of EllisLab
Blog Entry
- EvoPost (for EE2) by EEvolution
EvoPost is a simple module that captures form post data for use as EE tags.
- Category Sorted Entries Lite (for EE2) by Michael Rog
Like the standard Category Archive Tag, but with added control for filtering by entry_id or category, displaying by group_id, and outputting entry_id and url_title.
- JCO catcount (for EE2) by Jerome Coupe
Simple EE2 only plugin returning the number of items in any given category
- GWcode CatMenu (for EE1 & EE2) by Leon Dijk (GWcode)
Create a dynamic multi-level category based menu. Easy to style with CSS and very flexible.
- JCO Get Filesize (for EE2) by Jerome Coupe
Simple EE2 only plugin returning size of any given file.
- JCO URL (for EE2) by Jerome Coupe
Simple EE2 only URL fieldtype checking the validity (syntax / headers) of the entered URL. WIll not submit the entry if there is a problem with the submitted URL.
- Parse File Paths (for EE2) by Rob Sanchez (Barrett Newton)
Parses {filedir_X} variables. Works great with query module and activerecord plugin, and any other add-on that outputs raw channel data.
- MF Perpetual Landing Page (for EE2) by Matthieu Fauveau
This plugin is used to have a perpetual landing page (i.e. a user reached your site by a landing page and when he returns to home he is redirected to the landing page).
- MF Google Analytics (for EE2) by Matthieu Fauveau
This plugin adds the Google Analytics tracking code in templates.
- Field Builder (for EE2) by Adam Wiggall
Returns form fields and labels based on Matrix entries.
- Freeform Templates (for EE2) by Adam Wiggall
Allows you to select from your Freeform Templates (used for emails). Can be used in a Matrix Fieldtype, Low Variables or as a standalone.
- Wygwam Super Admin Source (for EE2) by Pixel & Tonic (Brandon Kelly)
Forces Wygwam’s “Source” toolbar button to always show up for Super Admins.
- Currentlee (for EE2) by Adam Wiggall
Currentlee is a plugin that will return either the uri (segment_1/segment_2 etc…) or the url (http://www.example.com/segment_1/segment_2 etc…) for the current page from an EE2 template.
- Firelogger (for EE2) by Tim Kelty (Fusionary)
Server-side Firebug logging using Firelogger.
- AJAX Auth ($, for EE2) by IntoEEtive (Yuriy Salimovskiy)
AJAX Auth module enables asynchronous (without refreshing the page) login and logout for ExpressionEngine 2.
- Current Url (for EE2) by Clive Zagno
Provides the following global variables: {current_url}, {all_segments}, {parent_segment}
- Swanify Category (for EE2) by Swanify
Swanify Category is a really simple FREE plugin that will return a category ID for a given category URL title.
- NSM Better Meta ($, for EE2) by Leevi Graham (Newism)
NSM Better Meta is an ExpressionEngine extension that allows you to optimize your entry meta without setting up tedious custom fields and complicated templates. Easy to use, and fully documented its a must have ExpressionEngine addon.
Blog Entry
Tomorrow at 1:30 PM EDT we will be once again streaming the podcast live for 30 minutes. Last week we had a great conversation with Mitchell Kimbrough of Solspace. This week we’re going to keep up our 1000 batting average and sit down with EllisLab founder Rick Ellis:
Rick Ellis likes to think of himself as a creative geek—someone who pursues technology in order to enable his creative expression. To that end he has had an eclectic career as a musician, audio engineer, visual designer, web architect, programmer, and software entrepreneur. More recently he’s developed an intense passion for photography and spends much of his time pursuing it.
Rick will join us to discuss the story behind pMachine (the predecessor to ExpressionEngine), his interests in photography, martial arts and more. We only have 30 minutes of live time available (5by5 has another show starting at 2 PM) so we’ll try to fit in all we can. If we do need more time we’ll continue recording off-air and add it to the downloadable podcast.
To listen live go to http://5by5.tv/audio at 1:30 PM EDT on Thursday March 24th.
Blog Entry
EllisLab developer Robin Sowell posted an update on their work on the revamped File Manager, filling us in on details about backend improvements, file category groups and more.
The biggest change to file management is that each file’s location and metadata are now stored in the database. This has meant a lot of non-sexy backend work on code that provides both first and third parties with the needed functions to add/edit/delete those records. The Wiki, Moblog and Metaweblog API have already been switched over to use the new methods.
Interesting is their approach to the gallery import feature they previously announced. Instead of building another gallery module they will make the gallery functionality “available to ALL files stored in a file upload directory.” Coupled with their plans to implement batch uploading, it looks like people migrating from EE1 will have an easier way to host their existing galleries.
Read Robin’s entire writeup: More on the File Manager Becoming More
Blog Entry
Once again, a heartfelt thank you to the companies and individuals who support EE Insider and the ExpressionEngine community.
- Pixel & Tonic - It goes without saying that P&T makes some of the best add-ons out there. Playa, Wygwam and Matrix are staples for many site builds. Check out their Dive Bar area, which features several free field types for EE1 & EE 2. Pixel & Tonic also sponsors the full-text RSS feed.
- Structure - Create pages, building navigation with an easy-to-use interface. Get real control over the structure of your EE site. This is definitely a top-shelf add-on you should consider.
- Vector Media Group - They are EE and SEO professionals, so they know how to help you get the best search engine visibility with your EE-powered website. Oh, and they’re great guys, too.
- PutYourLightsOn - FireMail and Expresso, two add-ons for EE2. FireMail will help you manage and track your email campaigns. Expresso is a WYSIWYG editor that even offers a developer license so you can use it on as many sites as you want.
- FocusLab - Highly-regarded members of the community they offer EE expertise in the form of support, consulting and training.
- Experience Internet’s Campaigner - Seamlessly and easily integrate your ExpressionEngine website with CampaignMonitor using Campaigner.
EE Insider has an open ad spot for April. If you would like to advertise your company, product or service to an astoundingly beautiful and lovely group of ExpressionEngine developers, web designers and web developers, get in touch for details.
Blog Entry
Last Thursday Lea and I spent almost 40 minutes talking to Mitchell Kimbrough of Solspace. Mitchell was one of the early add-on developers and, I think, the first commercial add-on developer. I met Mitchell at SXSW a few years back and last year at EECI in San Francisco I had a chance to re-connect with him. I was excited to talk to him again and, fresh off the birth of his second child, he graciously joined us on the podcast.
This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite EE Podcast episodes of the 42 we’ve done before it. It’s a must-listen for everyone in our community. Mitchell is a thoughtful and thought-provoking person, so listen as we discuss the transition from EE1 to EE2, add-on development, honing your craft and more: EE Podcast #43: Mitchell Kimbrough of Solspace
Sponsoring the EE Podcast
If you would like to sponsor the EE Podcast, please get in touch. It’s easier than before to get your product or service in front of the hippest, coolest and most beautiful ExpressionEngine designers and developers in the world.
Thanks to 5by5 for hosting the EE Podcast. They have a bunch of great shows and personalities. Subscribe and listen to them all!
Blog Entry
This Thursday at 7 PM a group of awesome ExpressionEngine peeps will be meeting up in Los Angeles to do a little show and tell of EE sites they’ve built. The meetup takes place at Coloft in Santa Monica, is hosted by Mr Kelly Sims and sponsored by the folks at BrilliantRetail.
Learn more about the meetup and RSVP if you’re in the area and would like to attend: LA ExpressionEngine Show & Tell
Blog Entry
We’re a day behind this week but, well, you’re not interested in excuses, so without further lollygagging here are this week’s submissions:
- Entry access ($, for EE2) by IntoEEtive (Yuriy Salimovskiy)
This add-on enables you to restrict access to certain channel entries for certain members
- Subdir Upload ($, for EE1) by Laisvunas
Allows you to upload files to server directories and subdirectories from your Control Panel’s publish/edit form and from SAEF; FieldFrame Matrix supported.
- Switchboard ($, for EE2) by Vaya Design
Switchboard is a live search engine for your control panel. It includes results for your entries, addons, fields, templates and lots more.
- CP Menu Master (for EE2) by Crescendo
Take control of your control panel menus! CP Menu Master allows you to hide channels from the publish menu for ALL users, show channels as a sub-menu in the edit menu, and even display control panel menus on mouse-over instead of click. Think of all those seconds you will save!
- HTTPS Support (for EE2) by Milan Topalov
Helps EE make friends with HTTPS
- Parse Filedirectories (for EE2) by Mark Bowen Design
Very simple plugin to provide a way to parse URLs that are bought back with {filedir} information.
- JB Language Switcher (for EE1) by Joel Bradbury
An EE Addon that places (or replaces) a 2 letter language code in the first segment of a url.
- JB Counter (for EE1) by Joel Bradbury
EE Plugin to consecutively number entries based on start dates.
- JB Comment (for EE1) by Joel Bradbury
A few helper functions to handle various cases with comments.
- HTTP Header (for EE2) by Rob Sanchez (Barrett Newton)
Set the HTTP Headers for your template.
- JB Friendly (for EE1 & EE2) by Joel Bradbury
Convert date, relative to another to a user friendly format. EE1.x and EE2.x compatible.
- Entry Type (for EE2) by Rob Sanchez (Barrett Newton)
A dropdown fieldtype that shows/hides other fields on the publish page.
- JB Graphite (for EE2) by Joel Bradbury
Turn the template debug output into a useful graph.
- Pre Embed (for EE2) by Rob Sanchez (Barrett Newton)
Embed a template before other tag parsing, so you can re-use templates more easily.
- CartThrob 2 ($, for EE2) by Chris Newton (BarrettNewton.com)
Works with ExpressionEngine 2! Using the power of ExpressionEngine and CartThrob, your store looks and works exactly like you envision it. Create your unique shopping experience with EE’s built in templating system. Store orders and manage products using standard weblog entries. CartThrob stores can look just like your site because they’re truly integrated. CartThrob lets you make the most of your ExpressionEngine website. Sell products, software, donations, articles… tangible and intangible products. Take credit cards in real time, securely and with confidence. Add ecommerce capabilities to new or existing EE sites! (and by the way, the devot:ee store runs on CartThrob!)
- NSM Reports (for EE2) by Leevi Graham (Newism)
Any data. Any format. Powerful reports made simple. NSM Reports is an extensible reporting module for ExpressionEngine 2 that allows you to create your own reports that can be run directly from the CP. If that’s still too hard for your client, save a report configuration and deliver the output directly via email. Reports even have a secure external URL for CRON jobs.
- Champagne 2 ($, for EE2) by Jason Ferrell (Natural Logic)
Champagne 2 bridges the gap between ExpressionEngine 2 and Campaign Monitor to provide tight integration for your email marketing strategy.
Blog Entry
Today at 1:30 EDT, we will be live with the EE Podcast featuring our special guest Mitchell Kimbrough of Solspace.
To listen to the show live, go to: http://5by5.tv/audio There’s also a live chat you participate to ask questions and give feedback.
See you there!
Blog Entry
Everybody’s favorite Kansas basketball fan, Greg Aker, started a series of blog posts covering how to build an ExpressionEngine module. It’s a three part series and you’ll learn how to set up your module code, write the control panel code and then how to write the template tag code.
For this project, Greg is building a URL shortener:
Well, everyone and their dog has built or uses a URL shortener. So let’s build one together. I’m going to break this up into a series of posts, as it could be serious information overload. I’d like to take you through my thought process a bit on when I’m building something from scratch in ExpressionEngine.
Read and follow along with the first post in the series: Let’s build an ExpressionEngine Module!
Blog Entry
Newism recently launched a public beta of their NSM Reports add-on, which allows you to create custom reports of EE data.
NSM Reports is an extensible reporting module for ExpressionEngine 2 that allows you, the developer, to create your own reports that can be run directly from the CP. If that’s still too hard for your client, save a report configuration and deliver the output directly via email. Reports even have a secure external URL for CRON jobs.
The add-on is free during the public beta. Get all the information and download here: NSM Reports
Blog Entry
To help support the efforts of the Red Cross in the aftermath of the huge earthquake in Japan, EE developer Nicolas Bottari is pledging 100% of his take of the sales from his Zenbu module to the Japanese Red Cross. Nicolas lives in Tokyo and lived through the quake:
You all know about the M9.0 earthquake that hit Japan, and I lived the experience first hand in Tokyo. I was returning to my place in Chiba City (map) after a store launch party (for which I’m building an EE-based site), when the earthquake hit after my train suddenly stopped at Ochanomizu station (center of Tokyo, map). After my train stopped violently shaking, I exited the station with the rest of the surprisingly calm crowd to see buildings literally bend during a subsequent aftershock. In my more than 7 years here, this was definitely the biggest earthquake I experienced.
His Zenbu module is a “powerful and customizable entry list manager which enables you to see more entry data, such as data stored in custom fields.” It is available through devot:ee but do be part of the donation effort you have to purchase before Friday evening Japan time.
Read his full write-up: Earthquake in Japan: my experience, and how you can help
Blog Entry
Last Thursday, Lea and I spent 30 minutes talking to Brad Parscale of Parscale Media and DevDemon. Brad shared some information about his Channel Images add-on, his experience using ExpressionEngine and more.
Listen, download and subscribe to the podcast at the 5by5 website.: EE Podcast #42
The EE Podcast is recorded and broadcast live on the internet every Thursday at 1:30 PM Eastern time and the recorded podcast is posted shortly afterwards.
Join us next week when we talk to Mitchell Kimbrough of Solspace. Mitchell will share his thoughts on doing business with ExpressionEngine, the surge of EE2, and perhaps a few minutes about fatherhood.
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