Web Authoring

Only a few months after its last major release, the WordPress crew has just unleashed WordPress 2.6 into the wild. While the changes with this update aren’t as visually sweeping as those ushered in with 2.5, but they do add some great new options and optimizations. WordPress encourages users to upgrade, as the old 2.5 branch will no-longer be maintained, and they have outlined the upgrade process here or you can use the fantastic automatic-update plugin.

We’ve been playing around with 2.6 on our local installs since the first beta was released, and we think this is a very, very solid release.

The WordPress team posted video showing off some of the new features:

Read on for our take on the new WordPress!
What’s the same

First things first, the new admin interface introduced in 2.5 is here to stay. While we think the new interface is an improvement, there are alternative design schemes for those that are unhappy with the layout (note: not all of these themes have been updated to 2.6). There have been some minor UI changes and plugin management has been vastly improved (we’ll get to that later), but for the most part, the “look” of 2.6 is identical to that of 2.5.

What’s different

For us, one of the biggest improvements included with WordPress 2.6 is better plugin management.

In WordPress 2.5, when you selected the “Plugins” tab, this is what you saw:

WordPress 2.5 plugin screen

You had the option of deactivating all plugins, but no way of selectively activating plugins. Historically, WordPress has also always required users to manually remove inactive plugins by deleting the files from their own FTP servers.

Both of these situations have changed in WordPress 2.6. You can now selectively activate and deactivate plugins (using a check box system) and deactivated plugins can be selected and deleted. WordPress also automatically sorts your plugins into “active” “inactive” and “recently active” groupings for easier management.

WordPress 2.6 plugin screen

Another importan behind-the-scenes change in WordPress 2.6 is the default support for remote publishing. In the past, all new installations had XML-RPC and Atom publishing enabled by default. Remote publishing is typically taken advantage of by users who prefer a tool like Mars Edit or Ecto or Windows Live Writer to compose their blog entries, but it can also be used by services like Google Docs, Flickr, and YouTube, for direct-publishing.

As we said, in the past, this was enabled by default. In 2.6, the feature is disabled for new intallations (upgraded installs are grandfathered in). This was purportedly done to limit potential security holes, and while most users probably won’t even notice a change, we want to point it out, so that anyone doing a fresh-install won’t be alarmed when their blog client can’t connect to WordPress.

To enable or disable remote blogging, a new setting exists under “Writing” called, you guessed it — “Remote Publishing.”

The new Remote Publishing setting for WordPress 2.6

What’s new

The bulk of the front-end changes to WordPress 2.6 come in the form of new features. One of the most useful features for blogs with multiple authors is the introduction of post-revisioning. Now, you can have a record of each version of a post (kind of like a Wiki) and can compare the differences between versions so that information can be added, removed or reverted. So if you edit a post you originally wrote on Thursday, Friday night after a few too many drinks, you can revert your drunk-blogging with the click of a button, minimizing embarassment.

WordPress 2.6 has also reintroduced the posting bookmarklet, but this time it is improved. Press This! brings some of Tumblr’s functionality of easy posting to WordPress. Click the bookmarklet and a window pops up:

Press This! bookmarklet

From this point, you can add text to the link or add a photo, a quote or video. The cool thing is that when you click on “Photo” for instance, you get a link to every image on the page in question, and you can choose to embed that photo in your post.

Press This! photo insertion

Also new to 2.6 is immediate theme previews. Just like WordPress.com, when you click on a theme, you now see how your blog will look rendered in that theme.

WordPress 2.6 has also started integrating Google Gears into WordPress, for Firefox and Internet Explorer users. Right now the support is basic — just integrating some caches so that pages on the backend load faster — but there is a lot of potential for the future.

WordPress 2.6 is available now, as as always, is free.

The Lockergnome brand and Chris Pirillo know their technology, and now they’re opening the doors up to a new iPhone App tracking site just for you and run by you.

The idea is similar to Digg in that you can submit iPhone apps and people can vote them up or down, giving you a nice community snapshot of what app is performing, and what app isn’t at any given time.

It also has implications for when new apps come out, and you want to be the first kid at school to get it.

Sure, you can read reviews in the Apple Store, but you don’t get the full story like you do on a site with simplicity and ease of use.

It’s rough around the edges but the idea seems clear. Submit, rate, and interact. But the difference here is that it’s so granular and dedicated solely to iPhone Apps.

Chris gave us the early link to the Apple App Tracker too, and we’d like to see one for PC apps and maybe even Linux distributions. Since he can build communities, it’ll be interesting to see how big of a community pops up around this new venture.

We love to see iPhone apps that are designed with phone users in mind. Ports of desktop apps — chat clients, games, etc. — are all well and good, but the mobile-specific stuff really shines. Take Gifter, for example. It’s an app that lets you buy and send gifts from your iPhone.

Can someone please write Gifter into a romantic comedy? We could totally see Tom Hanks frantically ordering flowers from his iPhone on the train. You can send more than flowers, though: Gifter is hooked up with vendors for books, movies, jewelry and even teddy bears. Now when you see those birthdays in your iPhone’s address book, you can do something about them. It might not be the app with the most geek cred — hey, they didn’t drop any vowels from the name! — but it works.

Sothink DHTML Menu is the most popular JavaScript navigation menu maker. It creates fully featured drop-down menus easily in a visual edit mode, with NO JavaScript experience required. The created drop-down menus are compatible with most major browsers. The menus are search-engine-friendly and can be properly indexed by search engines, such as Google. The Search Engine Friendly Code Maker will behave like site map in a JavaScript disabled browser. The program supports Windows Vista (SP1) and integrates well with Dreamweaver, FrontPage, Expression Web and Golive. It can create dynamic database-driven menus by supporting ASP, PHP, JSP, ASP.NET, ColdFusion, etc. The menu is visible over Flash, selected boxes, Iframes and even PDF files. You can build multiple menus on one page, or apply one menu to multiple pages.Rich built-in templates, styles and image library help users create a horizontal or vertical menu easily; The program supports HTML code, non-English languages and right-to-left languages; Users can create functional menu, such as highlighted menu, scrolling menu, cross-frame menu, multi-column menu, custom menu and floating menu; They can Position the menu anywhere on the web page or hide certain menu items & separators; Fully customizable properties, including font, icon, background, border, cursor, tip text, surround, effects, alignment, transparency, etc make the menu attractive; Tree-like menu can be switched to drop-down menu; Keyboard Navigation function enables users to control the menu by using the keyboard. The user-friendly interface helps users modify the menu easily and preview its effect in real time. Users can add, delete, select items and adjust their order easily in the List panel. They can also edit multiple items at one time or copy & paste between items. Exclusive Publish helps to add the menu to web pages fast and easily. Resource Folder and Link Prefix enable users to switch the project locally and on the web for testing purposes.

Sothink DHTML Menu is the most popular JavaScript navigation menu maker. It creates fully featured drop-down menus easily in a visual edit mode, with NO JavaScript experience required. The created drop-down menus are compatible with most major browsers. The menus are search-engine-friendly and can be properly indexed by search engines, such as Google. The Search Engine Friendly Code Maker will behave like site map in a JavaScript disabled browser. The program supports Windows Vista (SP1) and integrates well with Dreamweaver, FrontPage, Expression Web and Golive. It can create dynamic database-driven menus by supporting ASP, PHP, JSP, ASP.NET, ColdFusion, etc. The menu is visible over Flash, selected boxes, Iframes and even PDF files. You can build multiple menus on one page, or apply one menu to multiple pages.Rich built-in templates, styles and image library help users create a horizontal or vertical menu easily; The program supports HTML code, non-English languages and right-to-left languages; Users can create functional menu, such as highlighted menu, scrolling menu, cross-frame menu, multi-column menu, custom menu and floating menu; They can Position the menu anywhere on the web page or hide certain menu items & separators; Fully customizable properties, including font, icon, background, border, cursor, tip text, surround, effects, alignment, transparency, etc make the menu attractive; Tree-like menu can be switched to drop-down menu; Keyboard Navigation function enables users to control the menu by using the keyboard. The user-friendly interface helps users modify the menu easily and preview its effect in real time. Users can add, delete, select items and adjust their order easily in the List panel. They can also edit multiple items at one time or copy & paste between items. Exclusive Publish helps to add the menu to web pages fast and easily. Resource Folder and Link Prefix enable users to switch the project locally and on the web for testing purposes.

[Read the rest of this entry...]

ZZEE PHPExe compiles PHP, HTML, Javascript and other web files into Windows GUI programs. You can rapidly develop Windows GUI applications by employing the familiar PHP web paradigm. You can use the same code for online and Windows applications with little or no modification.Benefits: - Applications compiled with ZZEE PHPExe look and behave like standard Windows GUI applications. - You can distribute your compiled applications royalty free. - Users don’t see the contents of your web files or your web file tree, they can not change your scripts. - Integrated PHP encoder - no need to use third-party products for protection of your code. - UI based compiler, easily create and maintain your projects. - You can name compiled exe files as you like and you can assign your own icons to them. - Runtime size can be as low as 2.1Mb (depends on number of PHP extensions that your application uses and your code size). - Advanced alternative to HTAs (HTML applications).Features: - Includes a compact webserver, a built-in webbrowser and embedded PHP. - Compiled applications don’t conflict with any webservers (neither Apache nor IIS), other PHP installations, proxies and firewalls. - Compiled applications don’t occupy any TCP ports. - More than one copy of a compiled application can run at a time. - The program uses ISAPI (not slow CGI) interface for optimal performance. - ZZEE PHPExe v 1.0.0 ships with PHP v 5.2.5. - The program includes lots of PHP extensions. - You can use your own PHP extensions. - Built-in webbrowser is based on Internet Explorer and thus standards compatible. - Internal webbrowser runs with high permissions, providing the possibilities that are often disabled in regular webbrowsers for security reasons. - Many debugging options are available.

ZZEE PHPExe compiles PHP, HTML, Javascript and other web files into Windows GUI programs. You can rapidly develop Windows GUI applications by employing the familiar PHP web paradigm. You can use the same code for online and Windows applications with little or no modification.Benefits: - Applications compiled with ZZEE PHPExe look and behave like standard Windows GUI applications. - You can distribute your compiled applications royalty free. - Users don’t see the contents of your web files or your web file tree, they can not change your scripts. - Integrated PHP encoder - no need to use third-party products for protection of your code. - UI based compiler, easily create and maintain your projects. - You can name compiled exe files as you like and you can assign your own icons to them. - Runtime size can be as low as 2.1Mb (depends on number of PHP extensions that your application uses and your code size). - Advanced alternative to HTAs (HTML applications).Features: - Includes a compact webserver, a built-in webbrowser and embedded PHP. - Compiled applications don’t conflict with any webservers (neither Apache nor IIS), other PHP installations, proxies and firewalls. - Compiled applications don’t occupy any TCP ports. - More than one copy of a compiled application can run at a time. - The program uses ISAPI (not slow CGI) interface for optimal performance. - ZZEE PHPExe v 1.0.0 ships with PHP v 5.2.5. - The program includes lots of PHP extensions. - You can use your own PHP extensions. - Built-in webbrowser is based on Internet Explorer and thus standards compatible. - Internal webbrowser runs with high permissions, providing the possibilities that are often disabled in regular webbrowsers for security reasons. - Many debugging options are available.

[Read the rest of this entry...]

Banner System for X-Cart - X-Cart Mod is very easy in use, flexible banner rotating module. With help of this module you’ll be able to put any banner on your site with minimal efforts (image banner or external).

Using MagneticOne Banner System for X-Cart - X-Cart Mod you will be able to earn additional money on advertisement, rotate banners for other companies and show only targeted ads about your products for all visitors of your store!

Benefits of X Cart Banner System:

… proficient solution for complete banner management

… SWF, JPG, GIF, PNG formats supported!

… integrated statistics system

… ability to upload banner materials right from your Admin section without FTP connection

Features of this X Cart Mod:

… easy-to-use intuitive interface

… statistics is available for each banner

… ability to use image or flash banners

… ability to use external (JavaScript) code for banner

… ability to assign banner to certain product category or to all product categories

… only targeted ads will be shown to your visitors

… banners of one zone can have different display priority

… banner could be assigned to zones, every zone will be shown in specified place

… unlimited number of zones and banners

… banner rotation start and finish dates

… ability to set the number of banner views

… ability to open banner links in new or same browser window

… easy integration into your store design

… and more.

Banner System for X-Cart - X-Cart Mod is very easy in use, flexible banner rotating module. With help of this module you’ll be able to put any banner on your site with minimal efforts (image banner or external).

Using MagneticOne Banner System for X-Cart - X-Cart Mod you will be able to earn additional money on advertisement, rotate banners for other companies and show only targeted ads about your products for all visitors of your store!

Benefits of X Cart Banner System:

… proficient solution for complete banner management

… SWF, JPG, GIF, PNG formats supported!

… integrated statistics system

… ability to upload banner materials right from your Admin section without FTP connection

Features of this X Cart Mod:

… easy-to-use intuitive interface

… statistics is available for each banner

… ability to use image or flash banners

… ability to use external (JavaScript) code for banner

… ability to assign banner to certain product category or to all product categories

… only targeted ads will be shown to your visitors

… banners of one zone can have different display priority

… banner could be assigned to zones, every zone will be shown in specified place

… unlimited number of zones and banners

… banner rotation start and finish dates

… ability to set the number of banner views

… ability to open banner links in new or same browser window

… easy integration into your store design

… and more.

[Read the rest of this entry...]

There’s no shortage of desktop clients for Twitter and FriendFeed. But Posty goes a few steps beyond popular clients like Twhirl and Alert Thingy by adding support for Jaiku and Tumblr as well as Pownce.

Posty’s main window features a list of supported services with check boxes next to each. Just enter a status update and select the networks you want to send the update out to, and you can post simultaneously to all 5 places. You can also select the individual tab for each service to see recent updates from your contacts or from the public timelines if they’re available. You can also respond to comments or send direct messages directly from Posty.

One of the only complaints we had with Posty is that while the window is resizable, it starts out at 550 pixels wide and there’s no way to make it smaller. Bigger, yes. But smaller? Not so much. So it takes up a fair bit of screne real estate.

Like most applications built on Adobe AIR, Posty is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux.

[via Sarah in Tampa]

If you ever wanted to make a tiled background pattern for your desktop or website but lacked the design expertise to create one, bgpatterns has you covered.

The site is very straight forward and easy to use. Start off by selecting the foreground and background color for your design, followed by the texture of your canvas. Once you have that dialed in you’re ready for the next step which is selecting the image you want tiled.

After you’ve selected your image click the “apply background” link and the site’s background will change so you can see if you like your design. If you’re satisfied with the results you’re free to download it or save it to your “My patterns” account.

While bgpatterns offers a number of stock images, it does lacks the option to upload your own custom image. Hopefully the developers will add this option in the future as the selection of images are rather “clip artish”.

So if you’ve been looking at making a skull themed background for your MySpace page bgpatterns is ready for you!

Optin Buddy, powerful opt-in form creator software.

Personalize your sales letter and address your prospects by name. Allows subscribers to receive their rewards INSTANTLY without having to go to another page.

Add images, videos, audios or anything else that can be possibly be placed on a website as a thank you message after opt in.

Save your optin code as as Wordpress Plugin or Wordpress sidebar widget.

Works with major autoresponder services. (Aweber, GetResponse, EmailAces, QuickPayPro and 1ShoppingCart)

Optin Buddy, powerful opt-in form creator software.

Personalize your sales letter and address your prospects by name. Allows subscribers to receive their rewards INSTANTLY without having to go to another page.

Add images, videos, audios or anything else that can be possibly be placed on a website as a thank you message after opt in.

Save your optin code as as Wordpress Plugin or Wordpress sidebar widget.

Works with major autoresponder services. (Aweber, GetResponse, EmailAces, QuickPayPro and 1ShoppingCart)

[Read the rest of this entry...]

Free Trustix Enterprise Firewall - Provides total security for Enterprise Networks and the only WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) firewall in the world. A fully-featured packet-filtering router, Trustix Enterprise Firewall has advanced capabilities including the intuitive Xsentry graphical user interface (GUI) for visualizing and editing the firewall policy and behaviour. This unique GUI enables you to manage traffic for all your zones (up to 24) as well as port forwarding, network address translation (NAT) and virtual private network (VPN) configurations. Trustix Enterprise Firewall uses the IPsec protocol to encrypt data transmitted over the ‘net- extending the security of your network to all arms of your business. Communications between your office and home users are protected using 168-bit 3DES encryption- triple the encryption, triple the security! Enables remote, secure configuration of multiple firewalls from one Windows or Linux desktop. Protects assets and business transactions by ensuring fast, secure connections with the Internet and networks. It enables fast, controlled connectivity, providing strong protection against unwanted intrusion without slowing the flow of approved traffic. Trustix Enterprise Firewall Blockades and repel malicious attacks from hackers, Trojans, worms and infected files.

Free Trustix Enterprise Firewall - Provides total security for Enterprise Networks and the only WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) firewall in the world. A fully-featured packet-filtering router, Trustix Enterprise Firewall has advanced capabilities including the intuitive Xsentry graphical user interface (GUI) for visualizing and editing the firewall policy and behaviour. This unique GUI enables you to manage traffic for all your zones (up to 24) as well as port forwarding, network address translation (NAT) and virtual private network (VPN) configurations. Trustix Enterprise Firewall uses the IPsec protocol to encrypt data transmitted over the ‘net- extending the security of your network to all arms of your business. Communications between your office and home users are protected using 168-bit 3DES encryption- triple the encryption, triple the security! Enables remote, secure configuration of multiple firewalls from one Windows or Linux desktop. Protects assets and business transactions by ensuring fast, secure connections with the Internet and networks. It enables fast, controlled connectivity, providing strong protection against unwanted intrusion without slowing the flow of approved traffic. Trustix Enterprise Firewall Blockades and repel malicious attacks from hackers, Trojans, worms and infected files.

[Read the rest of this entry...]