I will present a template versioning system that will make Wordpress an even better blogging tool, allowing admins to easily create a snapshot (or backup) of the current theme and save it for later use.

I have thought to create this as an addition to Wordpress (a plugin) and not to integrate the feature in the core files, as some people might find it useless / unnecessary / disk space consuming.

I think Wordpress gained a good deal of popularity by offering easy extendibility and customization based on the user’s needs and tastes – and my plugin project will make no exception. If people will find this plugin useful, they’ll install it just as any other plugin.

The requirements for this plugin will be: a working Wordpress installation (obviously) and a writable folder, where the snapshots of the themes will be saved.

The first version (a rough one, might I say) of this system will work in a pretty simple and straight-forward way: it’ll save all the files of the theme into an archive (whose name will be, by default, the current date and time, for easy distinction, or a custom name, given by the user, if he wishes so), regardless of the number of files that were modified, and store the archive in the designated folder in the hosting account of the user (let’s call this folder “repository”). In a nutshell, I just want to create a basic, rough, but working system of saving and restoring the theme and just see it in action.

The following version(s) will improve the way the system works; specifically it will compare the size of the files (and/or other criteria) and will save only those files that have been modified, to the backup repository, in order to save disk space and processing time.

Also, I think the “full backup” option should still be there – maybe someone creates his own custom, modified version of a theme and wants to share it with the world / friends / etc. The system will allow for easy saving of the entire theme and pack it in an archive for easy distribution.

The restoring mechanism of the system seems like an easy one in theory, but it needs to offer 2 ways of restoring a theme.

First of all, there will be a way for the user to browse all the snapshots he’s previously saved and choose the one to restore. The system will then unpack the archive, copy the resulting files to the current theme’s folder and overwrite as necessary. Also, a search function will be implemented, in order for a user to easily find the snapshot he wants.

The second way of restoring a theme version is to upload an archive, which will be unpacked and the same copying operation as above is executed. Probably, the system will also include a feature of checking whether the files in the archive are compatible with the current theme (a simple checking of the number of files and types will probably suffice).

A delete mechanism will be implemented (probably as a button near each archive listing, either in the search results page or the browsing page), which will allow for easy deleting of an unwanted archive.

Also, I think an automated deleting system would be a good idea, in order to avoid cluttering the repository. Something like “delete archives older than X days” should do the trick.

To conclude the project description, I’ll sum up how the final version of the plugin will work:
1.The user chooses whether to create a full snapshot of the current theme (all the files) or just the required ones (only the ones that have been modified).
2.The system creates an archive containing the files selected at the first step
3.The user chooses where to store this archive – in the backup repository, or download it to his disk for local use.
4.The user can restore a theme either by uploading an archive or selecting, by browsing the list of all available archives or by searching, the desired archive from his online repository.
5.The system restores the selected version of the theme.
6.The user can delete any of the archives from his repository or setup an automated “job” to regularly delete older archives.

Thanks for reading.
Please note: the rest of the application, which contains the required information, has been submitted through the Google Summer of Code website.

Post from: imbaDev

Google Summer of Code - Project Proposal: Wordpress Theme Versioning System

Cash

• $250 Cash from PepperJam Network
• $50 Paypal Cash from Ades Blog
• $25 Paypal Cash from Sohaib Thiab

Web Hosting

• 1 Year Web Hosting from Young Online Millionaire

WordPress Themes & Design

• $500 Custom Premium Blog Design from Pixel Jig
• 2 Copies of the Revolution WordPress Theme from Brian Gardner Media

WordPress Scripts & Software

• 2 Copies of the FruitfulTime TaskManager from FruitfulTime
• Liscenced Copy of OIO Publisher from OIOpublisher
• WP Auctions Gold Version from WP Auctions

Blog Advertising

• Featured Listing on Aviva Directory from Aviva Directory
• Blog Listing and Bundle Pack 2 from 1 Cool File
• 125×125 Ad Spot from BlogTrepreneur
• 125×125 Ad Spot from Life Is Colourful
• 2 125×125 Ad Spots from Webmaster Plaza
• 2 125×125 Ad Spots from BloggerVenue
• 125×125 Ad Spot from BobbyT Blogging To A T
• 125×125 Ad Spot from Hedge Against Speculation
• 720×90 Banner Ad Spot from Webmaster Plaza

Blog Reviews

• Full Blog Review from Wayne Liew
• Full Blog Review from Article Snatch
• Full Blog Review from Life Is Colourful
• Full Blog Review from Webmaster Plaza
• Full Blog Review from BloggerVenue

Subscriptions

• 2 Year Subscription to GoStats Pro from GoStats
• 5 One-Year VIP Memberships to CreateBanner.com from Xavier Media
• Premium Subscription to DotSauce.com from DotSauce

Entrecard Credits

• 5000 Entrecard Credits from BloggerVenue
• 2000 Entrecard Credits from Article Snatch
• 2000 Entrecard Credits from Big Free Articles
• 1500 Entrecard Credits from BobbyT Blogging To A T
• 1500 Entrecard Credits from Webmaster Plaza
• 1000 Entrecard Credits from Tim Yimto
• 750 Entrecard Credits from Let’s Talk About Money
• 750 Entrecard Credits from The Work From Home Professional
• 500 Entrecard Credits from DotSauce
• 3x 168 Entrecard Credits from Bloggin-Ads

Miscellaneous

• Professional Blog Consultation Report from Scribbles & Words
• 2 One-Hour Blog Consulations from The University Kid
• 20 One Buck Wiki Pages from OneBuckWiki
• 20 Beer Stock Pages from Site Hoppin
• Unique List of 20 Available Domain Names from Word Fuse
• Aviva Directory T-Shirt from Aviva Directory
• Unlimited ‘”Dollar Million” guides from The University Kid

Nice list of prizes, eh? If interested, head over to the contest’s page and hop in before it is too late. The contest ends on 30th May (like, 2 days), so hurry up and get some entries.

Post from: imbaDev

Another Blog Contest, Yet Another Day “At Work”

Basically, you install their search engine in Firefox/IE search box (the one in the upper-right corner of the browser window) and then, whenever you search the internet (in a natural way, just like you do daily), you earn some money. Be at rest, the addon won’t harm your computer in any way - personally tested :).

I have to admit - it probably won’t earn you much (I just started out today, so I don’t have any stats available yet), but searching the internet is an activity you’d do anyway - why not monetize it? It requires no extra effort from you, aside from searching the internet - and if you’re like me, you use google hundreds of times a day to search for stuff. You can actually call it free-money, since there is no “input” in the work balance equation - just “output”.

So just sign up right now and start earning some cash.

Post from: imbaDev

Earn Money While Searching The Internet

So, while a quick search on google will reveal the major players in this field, it is often a tedious task to check prices/features for several hosting companies. Also, what matters most for a host is to have ~100% uptime (99.9%). If you site is down, your entire business is down - that’s why is important for your host to be reliable, and, for example, to be able to survive a digg effect.

Now, why all this wording? Well, not for nothing, since I would like you to present a neat service called WebHostingPal.
They offer a lot of valuable information for beginners especially: Introduction to Web Hosting, Introduction to Domain Names, Email Hosting and so on and so forth - you get the point.

However, if you are an experienced webaholic, you’ll still find this site useful, since you can use their main function: web hosting comparison. Basically, their Top 10 lists the best hosting companies there are. Just check it out - all info in one place, so you can easily pick a webhost.

So, don’t wait anymore. If you need a webhosting account or just want to switch to another provider, head over to WebHostingPal to find the best Web Hosting offers.

Post from: imbaDev

Where to Go When Choosing A Webhost

Post from: imbaDev

Tiger Warning

That’s about all of Gyutae’s contest. Here is the list of winners. I won, too:

Bunny, hts, Epiphany - 3 Licenses to OptIn Comments (3 winners - $77 value each)

Post from: imbaDev

You Really Thought You’d Win a Hummer, Haven’t You?

It seems that a very generous sponsor (name undisclosed as of this date) has thrown a HUMMER as a prize into this contest. What about that, huh? If you are not convinced, check this page

I think that this monster-car is enough to convince everyone to participate in this contest. Get to action - there’s still time until 2nd April (well, tomorrow :) ). GO GO GO! Good luck to you all!

Post from: imbaDev

Craziest Internet Marketing Contest Just Got Crazier

Post from: imbaDev

Great Thoughts #6

PayPal screenshot:

Besides what I have already received in my PayPal account, there are $180 still “locked” in my PepperJam account. I will probably receive those in few days time. Total commissions earned in February: $667.00. Not much compared to what big players earn with affiliate marketing, but pretty good for me, taking into account that I am still a newbie in this field.
Maybe you should give a try, too :). Signup with Pepperjam Network to start earning some affiliate cash.

Post from: imbaDev

First Affiliate Payouts

Now, let me explain: the contest consists of acquiring “entries” (I’d rather call them credits) that will increase you chance of winning something when he will draw the winners.
Here are the ways you can get entries:

You can increase your chances of winning all of the prizes by collecting additional entries for the contest. Joining the mailing list will gain you 1 entry, blogging about the contest will gain you 10 entries, and every 5 comments on Winning the Web will gain you 1 entry. As I mentioned, I will also be releasing random posts throughout the contest that will contain instructions for you to gain even more entries.

The prizes are really nice, especially the hard cold cash ones from some affiliate networks (I especially love the $500 thrown in by PepperJam Network, since I am already signed up with them). Besides cash, there are other great prizes to win: premium memberships to some SEO training programs, a conference pass, advertising on some well-known blogs and so on. You’d better check all the prizes here. Also, read carefully how to enroll in the big drawing, since it is really worth it - $7,695 is a sum you can’t ignore.
The drawing will be held on the 31th of March - you still have time to get as many entries as possible.

Hop in to win one of the insane prizes in the “Internet Marketing Contest of the Century”

Post from: imbaDev

Insane Internet Marketing Contest