Tag Archives: LINICKX-LifeStream

Version 0.1.3

I’m learning a lot with this plug-in development, it seems to be a lot more difficult than stuff I’ve done in the past.

In just a few days I’ve had to push out 3 bug fix releases! 0.1.3 has fixed the following..

0.1.2 broke auto updates.
Basically there was an error message in the dashboard that a user was complaining about, upon fixing this I realised that auto-updating stopped working… I’m using cron updating so I didn’t spot this right away. I have now re-tested auto updates, and it is working for me in 0.1.3

Execution timeout issues
linickx.com was having execution timeout issues, i.e. the script was being terminated by a low value in php.ini. set_time_limit(20) now happens before each fetch_feed to give each http request an extra 20seconds of execution time, I’ve also setup an is_running variable so multiple fetchs don’t happen at the same time, this should fix the multi-post issue I’m having here too!

config.php
I’ve also introduced a config.php so that upgrades do not overwrite $WPDIR set by users. It’s become apparent that users want to use cron to update their feeds, since run.php gets overwtitten on every upgrade then users would need to re-edit the file, this would become quiet annoying. Copy config.sample.php to config.php and users shouldn’t have to worry about upgrades breaking this as the package will be re-pushing the sample leaving your file un-changed… this is exactly how WordPress handle this issue in the core.

Fingers Crossed!
I’m hoping that’s the end of the bug fix releases and I can get on with Version 0.2 will be a feature release :)

Version 0.1.1

So the first few issues are flowing in… the package on wordpress.org didn’t work… I developed the plugin in a folder called lnx_lifestream but wordpress.org’s fancy system changed the path to linickx-lifestream – DOH!

There was also an FAQ missing from the readme.txt, ie how to resolve the error message…

Can’t find WordPress, edit $WPDIR in run.php

This has now been fixed (link to faq)) but does shed light on a new issue… any changes to run.php get over-written on upgrades, I will need to think of a new plan to overcome this!

Introducing LINICKX LifeStream V0.1

UPDATE: This Plugin has been updated, the below links to the new file, but please comment on the new post, thanks.

I’m proud to share with the WordPress community my new plugin, LINICKX LifeStream :)

I’ve been trying to get more LifeStreaming into LINICKX.com for a while, as I’ve struggled to find an appropriate solution I’ve decided to write my own.

Plug-in Features:

  • Stream Any Feed.
    Most internet services like digg, twitter, lastfm and the like support RSS feeds of your activity, so you can stream any service even if I haven’t heard about it yet!
  • Posts are created from the feeds/stream.
    Each Feed item creates a new post, you can tag & categorise your posts to give each stream a different look & feel in your WordPress templates.
  • No dependencies.
    LINICKX LifeStream uses WordPress functions to do it’s work, so yes it’ll work on PHP4 & PHP5 and you don’t need to update simplepie or an-other dependancy.
  • Flexible updating.
    By default LINICKX LifeStream should just work, WordPress will fetch the feeds every 5 minutes and store them in the WP Database, but you can change that. If you want to cron your updates every 1 minute you can, if you want the DB store in a file not in MySQL that’s not a problem either.

LINICKX Lifestream is currently feeding both my Digg & Google Reader posts; in general I’m pretty poor at updating my plug-ins as this is a hobby, but since this project is part of my website and not a favour for a friend (like the others) I’m hoping to do a better job.

I’m looking for help too!
The admin interface is a bit “clunky”, the reason being I don’t know javascript, if you do please consider writing a patch :)
I also think this plugin would work well for WordPresMU users, but I don’t use it so if you do what changes need to be made to make this work for you?

You can download the source from here: http://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/linickx-lifestream/ or Browse Trac

Disclaimer
As with my other plug-ins this is a hobby, I have a full time job that takes priority. Feel free to leave comments here but ask support questions to the WordPress community. I will update this plugin as and when I need features to improve linickx.com but will consider any patches submitted and any good ideas you have.

If this plugin has been some use to you, please consider donating as I give this code away for free and giving something back will make you feel good :cool:

UPDATE(s):

  • Pushed version 0.1.1 as the directory path changed when wordpress.org created their .zip file… all should be working again.
  • Pushed version 0.1.2 to fix error in dashboard reported by Markus below.
  • Pushed Version 0.1.3 more bug fixes; 0.1.2 broke auto updates, so 0.1.3 fixes it again!
    linickx.com was having execution timeout issues, so theres a patch to fix that for other users
    I’ve also introduced a config.php so that upgrades do not overwrite $WPDIR set by users.