Don Gilbert

WordPress OptionTree Helper Functions

Don Gilbert — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:21:42 +0000

OptionTree is a great options framework for WordPress sponsored by ThemeForest, the largest WordPress theme marketplace on the web. It was originally created to help ThemeForest authors quickly add options to their themes for the end user to manage. It has seen widespread usage by both commercial and non-commercial theme creators – and is nice to have. However, one of the downside is, unless you’re a developer – you probably didn’t know that using this option framework would add several extra database calls to your website on each page load, potentially slowing down your site.

To address this issue, Option Tree has the ability to pass a parameter into its functions that contains all of your theme options in a single array. However, to get this in each of your pages, you would still need to edit your files to add a call to the `get_option(‘option-tree’);` function at the top of each page template. With these helper functions, none of that is necessary. Just replace your `get_option_tree(‘option-name’);` calls with `get_theme_option(‘option-name’);`. With that, no matter how many times you call for a theme option, it is only ONE database request. Hope it helps.

Delete Old PostMeta from Your WordPress Database

Don Gilbert — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:09:19 +0000

Sometime, when manually deleting posts or revisions from the WordPress database, you’ll get remnants that remain in the postmeta table. The SQL here can take care of that for you.

Be sure to change wp_ to your WordPress database prefix.

Joomla Confirm Before Close in your Component

Don Gilbert — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:56:33 +0000

Use Git for WordPress Plugin Development

Don Gilbert — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:28:51 +0000

Base HTML, CSS and JS for jQuery Cycle

Don Gilbert — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:12:24 +0000

Whenever I use jQuery Cycle, this is the base that I start with, and just go from here. It works out pretty good. Enjoy.

Geocode an Address via Google Maps using PHP

Don Gilbert — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:15:08 +0000

I came across a situation today where I needed to interface with a third party component in my Joomla! application which handled store locations using the Google Maps API. I already added the ability to associate each entry with a user account and manage the entry from within the user profile manager (thanks to the new Joomla! 2.5 extended profile), but the problem came in when a user edited the address that it would not update the latitude and longitude within the component. To fix that, I hooked into the onUserAfterSave event, and used the following code to geocode the address that was entered, and then push the results to the store locator database.

This will work for anyone needing to Geocode an address using PHP.

Send SMS Alerts from RSFormPro the Easy Way

Don Gilbert — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:22:21 +0000

RSForm!Pro allows for some pretty advanced routing, mappings, and script access via the joomla admin panel. It’s probably the best Joomla! form builder out there as of right now. It’s almost on the same level as Gravity Forms for WordPress.

Anyways – recently I had to set up text message alerts for admins when there is a submission. Rather than building an integration with a service like twilio or something, I just came up with this rather simple little snippet. On the Properties tab of the form you want to add SMS alerts from, navigate down to the PHP Scripts item. In the second textarea, where it gives you access to $_POST, paste the code from below. (Remember to not include the

Recursive File Hashing with PHP

Don Gilbert — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:32:08 +0000

A little background: I developed this to create a drop-in hash file that will work with WordPress Exploit Scanner. As a developer, I periodically update to the latest nightly builds, and needed something to check the integrity of the system post upgrade, and to make sure that what I got was the real deal.

This could work for any security scanning system that accepts an array of file names and hashes.

Starting a Running Regimen

Don Gilbert — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:14:37 +0000

I’ve been putting on some access weight recently, what with my desk job and hour long commute – I haven’t made the time to stay as active as I should have been. I’m pushing almost 200 lbs, and figured that that’s gotta change. So, starting today, you’re going to start seeing some fitness and running updates here, along with the regular stuff.

My goal is to be able to run at least a half marathon (13.1 miles) by this summer. I downloaded a guide that gives you a good structure to go from couch potato to a half marathon runner is a little as 10 weeks. Download it here: Half Marathon Guide. I don’t know if I’ll be able to complete it in 10 weeks, but I’m pushing for it. It’s a rigorous schedule, but I’m going to try my best.

Hopefully, this’ll lead to a full blown lifestyle change for me. I want to be there for my family and be able to be active and have fun when Donny get’s older. I don’t want him to have a lazy dad.

I’ll also be reviewing some running merch as well, like my new Skechers GoRun running shoes as well as the best outfits to wear for different running conditions.

Wish me luck.

Beautiful Sunset

Don Gilbert — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:05:01 +0000