Though the install instructions are a bit vague, the witty plugin I just installed is VERY cool. Yes, I ended up arguing with it for awhile before I got it to work, but it works a treat. It’s in that text box in the left column. Just refresh the page a couple times, and you’ll see the random quote script in action.

This is a test run for the Farm Study Center site I’m working on, so the factoids are all related to environmental and sustainability issues. You’ll be hearing more about the site as it gets built. It’s going to be WordPress all the way (providing I can find a proper host!) and will focus on how we can all support the planet that supports us.

Putting it in the left column taught me something further about word press templating too. I now know why templates have the different sections, like header, footer, and nav, called into the page separately. As the current kickass theme is set up the left column is in the index file. In order for the quote script to show up in archive pages, permalink pages and the like, I’ll have to put the script call into every file that has the left column information. If I rework the theme I’ll be able to put the call into ONE file, the left column file, and then it’ll be dynamically generated on all pages that have the call for a left column. Yes, that was a light bulb moment– especially since I was cursing that arrangement as I was creating my first theme. I now know to create ONE index file with sections commented, break them up into separate sections when I save out as a theme, then add the php calls for the different sections into each of the pages that need ‘em.

Alex, if you read this trackback, it really is an awesome plug, you just need a better install file with better documentation. Yell if you need help, I could probably write it for you after my recent adventure with it! Oh, one other thing. For some reason I had a helluva time finding this plugin– I searched “random quote” at the wordpress forum and it didn’t come up. I finally found it as a link in a comment about someone else’s plugin. I think there are a lot more people who would love to use it if they could just find it. You deserve to have some attention for this great plug.

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 30th, 2005 at 4:41 pmunder Sustainability, WP Stuff and . Comment RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.