All posts by bastb

Scripted changing of XML files made easy

Changing the content of a configuration file on an Unix system, like Linux, can be easy. That task quickly becomes a whole different ballgame when you’re dealing with XML files, because this format imposes a couple of restrictions on the XML element values, for instance. You’ll probably be able to get the job done when using traditional tools like sed and awk, but I would advise against it. Continue reading Scripted changing of XML files made easy

Data structure of the XING User Profile resource

XING aims to be a platform for business professionals, offering a platform through which supply meets demand. They seem to be quite good at it. Take a moment to review the services they’re offering and judge for yourself. I think of them mainly as an European competitor to LinkedIn® and they have an API too, which is in beta testing right now. Just request a beta account and you may get an invitation. Continue reading Data structure of the XING User Profile resource

New plugin version not shown in wp dashboard

So, you’ve committed your plugin, tagged it, updated the readme.txt and you’re ready to update your installation. You’re reviewing Plugins from your dashboard, hitting F5 every second since, but the new version never shows up, even though you can see the new version in “Other Versions” using the WordPress™ Plugin Directory. Continue reading New plugin version not shown in wp dashboard

Automagically minimize javascript in Eclipse on Windows

The WordPress tool I’m developing uses jQuery scripting. I’ve seen people including a minimized version of the scripting and I think that’s a good approach. I’m using Eclipse on Windows on my development system and it happened more than once that I forgot to include the minimized version of the scripting. I found a solution in my search for a way to do this automatically. Continue reading Automagically minimize javascript in Eclipse on Windows

Using the wp settings API with a non-admin user

WordPress comes with the settings API, an API that simplifies development of configuration pages. It’s a complete API, with regard to function and security. This post will take a look at security, more specific, at access control. Continue reading Using the wp settings API with a non-admin user

Something to consider when developing a wp plugin

I’ve been busy developing a WordPress plugin lately and I experienced a best practice right away.

While developing the plugin will probably be the only one loaded. Once released into the wild, for instance by testing it on your live site, and being used in conjunction with pre installed plugins, you may run into PHP Fatal error: Cannot redeclare class ... in ... errors, even when you use import_once or require_once. Continue reading Something to consider when developing a wp plugin

The Red Hat Satellite XMLRPC Series: logging

The Satellite XMLRPC API is a complete API, allowing management of the most common objects within the Satellite. It allows CRUD operations on channels, configuration channels, kickstart profiles, kickstart snippets, configuration files, etc. It’s organized using namespaces. Every trained developer will find his (or her) way in a moment. Continue reading The Red Hat Satellite XMLRPC Series: logging

PHP, OAuth and the LinkedIn API with SSL on Windows 7

I have been developing a tool which integrates a LinkedIn profile into WordPress. That’s not complicated because LinkedIn has an API which enables access to a LinkedIn users’ data. This API has great documentation and examples, which invites you to give it a try. Continue reading PHP, OAuth and the LinkedIn API with SSL on Windows 7

Parsing json with HTML style comments using python

I recently needed to add version control information into a file which had data stored in json format. As it turns out, I’m not the only one who learned about the issues surrounding json and comments. I wanted an HTML style comment at the end of the file. The solution was real simple, when using pyparsing. Continue reading Parsing json with HTML style comments using python

Personalize your LinkedIn Public Profile url

I’ve been seeing a lot of LinkedIn the last few weeks. The reason for that will be in a post in the near future. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you’ve probably noticed the “Public Profile” url on it. This url links directly to your profile. Every profile has one and the default link is hard to remember: it consists of your name and additional data. You can change that link yourself and it’s real easy. The steps are below. Continue reading Personalize your LinkedIn Public Profile url