VayaDesign

EE Module Release: Templates 2 Files

2007-04-02T15:52:00Z

The ability to edit templates directly through the Expression Engine control panel is certainly useful, but personally I favour the creature comforts of a fully featured text editor rather than limited HTML textareas. As a result I tend to have the ‘save template as file’ option set for each and every template, which currently means updating each template manually in order to have a file generated from the template data in the database. Or at least it used to. Templates2Files is a very simple module which takes any templates that do not have the ‘save as file’ option set, creates the corresponding file and updates the db accordingly.

Simple Pagination Plugin for Expression Engine

2007-03-14T16:15:00Z

Although Expression Engine is an incredibly powerful content management system I have found that one of its more core features, pagination, is a bit lacking. In order to split one entry across multiple pages it’s necessary to place the content for each page in its own field. This would mean a 20 page article would require 20 seperate fields, and when only two or three of those are likely to be used regularly that seems a bit of a waste. Fortunately the plugin system makes it possible to overcome this problem if you’re happy to get your hands dirty with a bit of PHP, which is exactly what I’ve opted to do.

EE Plugin: Delete Entries Outside of the Control Panel

2006-12-19T15:19:00Z

With user generated content being all the rage these days one of the more useful features a content management system can offer is the ability to allow users to submit, modify and remove entries (be they blog items, adverts, images… you get the idea) without actually accessing the behind the scenes admin side of things. Expression Engine is getting there with it’s standalone entry form but there’s still a little way to go. Fortunately Solspace.com offer a free form helper plugin which makes it possible for users to edit their entries, so the only thing missing is the ability to delete entries from the frontend.

‘Bubblegum’ vBulletin Template

2006-12-07T17:51:01Z

With the FreshBlue vB template now exceeding 400 downloads at vBulletin.org alone I have decided to release another design which is free to all. Named ‘bubblegum’ this template is once again a light, airy design which, with any luck, your community members will be happy to use for hours on end. This release is based on the 3.6.4 vB version but should work fine with any of the 3.6 releases and is backwards compatible with the 3.5 branch if you don’t mind a little template editing.

Free Expression Engine Template

2006-10-25T16:06:01Z

In the spirit of releasing free templates for great software I’m pleased to announce VayaDesign’s first freebie Expression Engine template, ‘TealTemplate’.

Expression Engine Mini Review

2006-10-03T09:00:00Z

I was first attracted to Expression Engine because it appeared to offer a solid ‘all in one’ package. Seamlessly integrating multiple pieces of software to bring a site together can be at best a laborious task and at worst impossible. Even once it’s done you then have the hassle of one login for every section of the site, whether it’s the gallery, the news section or the downloads area. The idea that I could configure every aspect of my site through the same templating system and then make updates through the same login made EE an appealing purchase.

VayaDesign Goes All “Two Point Oh”

2006-10-02T13:40:00Z

It’s been something of a wait, but the all new Expression Engine powered VayaDesign.net is finally ready for public consumption. I have been busy testing with every web designer’s best friend, but if anyone spots any problems in their Browser of Choice then please do let me know in the comments.

Controlling Your Domain Name

2006-09-01T14:24:00Z

Following the painfully lengthy transfer of a client’s domain recently I’d like to offer one quick bit advice to anyone who is planning to start their first site: Make sure you have full control of the domain name. Before ordering a domain name ensure that the registrar has a control panel from which you are able to update contact details and nameservers whenever you wish. Never register a domain through a third party who you don’t fully trust. Would you give your car keys to a stranger?

Time’s 50 Coolest Sites, 2006

2006-08-15T15:31:01Z

Time have posted a write-up of the 50 coolest sites on the web. Unsurprisingly the likes of MySpace, YouTube and Digg are in there, but despite spending more than my fair share of time on the net there are still plenty of sites I’ve never even heard of. I’m not convinced that Snap.com is entirely deserving of its place, all shiny, AJAXed-up and Web 2.0 though it may be. It may look good but the results aren’t up to much and it’s far slower to use than el Goog, Yahoo or MSN. But then these are the ‘coolest’ sites, maybe I’m missing the point.

vBulletin 3.6 & FreshBlue

2006-08-09T13:55:00Z

Following the release of vBulletin 3.6 Gold I have updated my FreshBlue template to include all of the necessary template changes. FreshBlue is still free to all and you can download it below. Support is available via vBulletin.org, if needed.

Previewing the Headache of the Future?

2006-07-21T16:44:00Z

Changes a-comin’

2006-06-13T13:58:00Z

Project Updates & Some Useful Tools

2006-05-31T14:01:00Z

I’ve definitely been slacking blog-wise lately (how do the people who post every couple of days manage it?), there just don’t seem to be enough hours in the day. I’ve got a ‘proper’ post in the works which will hopefully be up soon, but in the meantime here’s an update on a couple of the sites I’ve been working on lately and a couple of the tools I have used in developing them.

Fixed-width FreshBlue Template

2006-04-26T17:42:00Z

This is just a quick note to anyone who is using my FreshBlue vB template or runs a vB powered forum: I've released a fixed width version of FreshBlue (scroll down to update #2) and the price remains the same at £0.

Google - Expandable results, shrinking ad revenue?

2006-04-24T16:49:00Z

If you enter a search term into Google, currently you will be presented with the ten links deemed most relevant and either a brief extract from the page or the page’s meta description. And some sponsored listings. Google are currently testing a new expandable results feature which would allow users to view an extended extract (example) from each of the pages listed.