Mister Nifty

Recently, I was assigned a task for my job to create a jQuery script that deleted elements from a sortable list, and then gave the user the ability to undo the delete action. I thought I would have a little bit of fun with a doctrine I don’t subscribe to at all, but it worked for this application.

• I created a hidden element to store unwanted list items: <div id=”purgatory”>.
• Then I created a hidden element wrapper for the undo button that shows once the delete button is clicked: <div id=”rescue-from-purgatory”>.
• Once the undo button is clicked, I set a Javascript variable to count the number of items in “purgatory” as follows: var lostSouls.
• So, in a nutshell, when a user clicks delete, they send the unwanted list item (lostSoul) to purgatory. When they click undo, the user rescues the lostSoul from that dreaded holding cell.

The point of this silly story is that you don’t have to get bored with your job. There are plenty of other ways to keep the ‘fun’ in functional, especially with long boring code blocks. If you enjoy what you do, you never have to work a day in your life.

If you’re a WordPress freak like I am, don’t miss Wordcamp St. Louis this year. The company I work for is putting on this venue to help others learn and become more acquainted with WordPress. You will also be able to rub shoulders with influential WP guys and network with designers and developers. It’s a one-day event of awesomeness that goes from 8am to 5pm at Maryville University. If you register early, the cost is just $20.00. Late bloomers will have to pay $30.00. I will be there taking photos and helping out as a gopher here and there.

Go get your register on at 2011.stlouis.wordcamp.org

If you’re a WordPress developer or a shade tree coder looking to integrate options for your theme into the Worpdress administration panel, look no further. The company I work for just made our options framework available to the public for free under GPL2. This means you can download the framework, drop it in your theme, hook it in and start making some awesome options. Here’s some of the features we’ve built into the framework:

• Image uploading
• Typography Engine – works with Google Webfonts and font-face fonts
• Layout Engine – register new layouts for your users to choose from
• SEO – helps get your site get more visible
• Style Engine – similar to the layout engine, but for changes only to color/images etc…
• Multiple input types – text, textarea, dropdown selects, page dropdowns, category dropdowns, multiple selects, multiple text inputs (user can dynamically add more), checkboxes

This is just some of the awesomeness built right in. You can take it and make it your own with your own branding. You can always follow us online for updates as well when we release more awesome features. The next release will have automatic updating for a one-click solution to get the latest package.

If you have any questions drop me a line. I’ll help steer you in the right direction.

Get the Theme Framework here.

I love building websites, but I hate working with multiple, multiple, multiple browsers. Basically some elements of your web design display differently in different browsers and you need to target those specific browsers with a stylesheet that fixes the issues.

Lately, I’ve found that Google Chrome and Safari (webkit browsers) display some elements differently depending on what operating system you use. For example, a website I developed looked great on the PC Chrome browser, but when I viewed in the Mac Chrome browser, it had several issues. So, in order to fix this, I created a specific Mac Chrome stylesheet. These styles only load if a user is on a Mac and is viewing with Chrome.

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Dreamhost offers a free web hosting package if you can supply them a 501.c3 determination letter.  If you’re starting out, this is a great deal that will save you anywhere from $75-$200/year for your church.

Go To Dreamhost

Due to the expansion of my family and the lack of financial resources to sustain this project, support is discontinued. If you would like to take over this project, please let me know. Thanks!

I’m very excited to announce the latest version of my new plugin for WordPress.  EasySMS installs right into the back-end admin panel and a simple sidebar form installs by dragging and dropping the widget on your sidebar.   Once people start subscribing, you can categorize them in groups and send SMS messages right from WordPress.  Another cool feature is automatic SMS messages broadcast your lastest post (optional). I’m very excited about the possibilities for churches to keep in touch with their congregations and leaders right from their websites!  The best part is it is FREE for the taking.  So, what are you waiting for?  Go over and grab yourself some Mister Nifty goodness for your website.  If you don’t have a WordPress site, we feel sorry for you.  Go get yourself one for free!   http://www.wordpress.org

Download EasySMS here

Features:

*   Owner Verification of cell phones with unsubscribe feature
*   AJAX sidebar widget form with custom title and terms of agreement.
*   Subscriber groups
*   Track how many SMS message have been sent to each subscriber.
*   Auto-notification of new posts to subscribers (optional)
*   Custom text messages from admins only
*   Message preview before sending SMS
*   80 default carriers
*   Delete/Add/Edit and Carriers
*   Edit/Delete Subscribers
*   WP Administration compatible interface.
*   Stats snapshot on dashboard.
*   New subscriber notification. (optional)

Screenshots

Sidebar Form

Send SMS

Carrier Table

Groups Table

Subscriber Groups

Settings