Friends RSS Aggregator
UPDATE Feb 10 2007: I’m currently working on fixes so that FRA works with WP 2.1, along with a new release of the plugin that should have some new features. I’ll make a post on this page and my weblog once its ready. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Friends RSS Aggregator (FRA) WordPress plugin was built to enable a WordPress installation to have a livejournal.com-like friends page. By creating a group of friends’ weblog links with RSS/Atom URIs in a particular link category, a user can display an aggregated list of posts by date or name. The word ‘Friends’ in the plugin is also a bit of a misnomer since the plugin is by no means limited to aggregating just friends’ weblogs; FRA allows aggregation of any group of links (that specify RSS URIs) in one or more link categories.
Friends RSS Aggregator 0.3.1 is available for download. Check out my Friends page for an example of the Friends RSS Aggregator in action.
- Requirements
- Support
- Installation and Setup
- Customizing Look and Feel
- Got General Problems?
- User Comments
Requirements
- FRA uses and includes MagpieRSS for all RSS/Atom fetching and parsing. Look to MagpieRSS 0.72 for PHP requirements and dependencies.
- FRA was developed for WordPress 1.5.2 but may work with other versions. It has been reported that it works with WP 2.0 but I have not tested it personally.
Support
This page and the distribution files offer most of the support, but if you have problems that can’t be answered after reading the entire page, email me. I don’t answer questions pertaining to anything MS Windows related. This software is free and is provided as-is. I am in no way responsible for any damage that may occur as a result of using this.
Installation and Setup
- Download the plugin.
- Unpack, and if necessary upload, the plugin in the wordpress plugins directory. This is usually something like $WP/wp-content/plugins where $WP is the WordPress installation directory. There should now be a ‘friends-rss’ directory in the plugins directory.
- In the new
friends-rssdirectory, make thecachedirectory writable by the webserver process-user. The easiest way to do this (and most insecure) is to issue the command `chmod 777 cache` from within the ‘friends-rss’ directory. - In WP admin UI, activate the plugin by going to the ‘Plugins’ section and selecting the activate link in the Friends RSS entry.
- In WP admin UI, go to ‘Options -> Friends RSS’ and specify the absolute path to the cache directory (e.g. /home/foobar/public_html/wp-content/plugins/friends-rss/cache).
- If there isn’t one yet, in the WP admin UI, create a link category with a few links in it. Although it is not required, you can name the category ‘Friends’ to make later setup easier. Important: Make sure that each of the links in the category has an RSS URI specified in the RSS URI field (not the Link URI field) so that the RSS feed can be fetched.
- Copy
linkfeeds_by_date.phpfrom the example_templates directory into the current WP theme directory. If you want the posts listed by name of link, copylinkfeeds_by_name.php, instead. - In WP admin UI, write a new page. Specify the page template as ‘Link RSS Feeds By Date’. When you fill in the ‘Page Title’ and ‘Page Content’ fields they will appear at the top of the viewed page.
- If your link category name is not ‘Friends’, you will have to edit the template that was copied into the theme directory to pass the category name in the display function. See the template file for further details.
- View the page after editing to ensure that posts are being retrieved and that you like how the page looks. If you don’t like how the page looks and feels, check out customizing look and feel. If the page does not function as it should, read the general problems section.
Customizing Look and Feel
The linkfeeds_by_date.php and linkfeeds_by_name.php template files each contain a call to a PHP display function. These functions are parameterized to allow customization of things like date format, number of posts, and link categories displayed. Within each template file, there is an explanation of all the arguments of the display function and their default values. If you’re not familiar with PHP function arguments, read the WordPress How-To. The display_feeds_by_date() function in the linkfeeds_by_date.php template has up to seven arguments. Each argument is explained below in the order of specification.
- Number of posts to display at a time. default =
10 - Name of link category, or array of link category names to be displayed. Multiple categories can be specified like
array('friends','enemies'). You can also display all categories by specifying the value-1. default ='Friends' - Index of post to display first.
0is most recent post. This argument should not need to be modified. default =0 - Displays the full content of each post when
true, else displays summary. default =true - Includes a feed image if available when true. default =
true - Displays navigation links to older and newer posts when true. default =
false - Format string for post date of each post, used as parameter for
strftime(). default ='%A %B, %d %Y %I:%M %p %Z
If your look and feel problems go beyond the display functions, there are three places to look: The HTML and code in the template file you are using, the styles in the current theme’s style.css file and the HTML generated by the display function. First, take a look at your styles in style.css and HTML in the template file (e.g. linkfeeds_by_date.php) to see if the problems can be fixed there.
If the problem lies in the HTML generated by the display function, your best option is to forego using the current template and display function and use the custom_linkfeeds_by_date.php template, which allows the customization of how the HTML is generated for each feed post. This approach is only recommended for those comfortable editing PHP code.
Customization Questions
How do I “hide” a link from displaying its posts while keeping it in my links?
Update the link in the admin UI and make it not visible.
Got Problems?
When I install or upgrade WP, I get an error on my main Admin Dashboard (or a blank dashboard) once the plugin is activated.
This is because WP 1.5.x and 2.0.x include an older version of MagpieRSS (version 0.51). The index.php page in the wp-admin directory includes the rss-functions.php file which is essentially MagpieRSS 0.51. Just comment out the line that includes this file (with ‘//’) in index.php.
To permanently solve this problem I’d have to change all class-function, file and constant names in FRA’s version of MagpieRSS. I considered doing this, but decided not to in favor of waiting until WP is released with a newer version of MagpieRSS. Unfortunately, if you have other plugins that include/require rss-functions.php, then you’d have to comment out the include/require line in those plugin files (and possibly add an include of FRA’s version of MagpieRSS). It’s all very annoying.
When I view my page of link feeds, it loads slow or doesn’t fully load, sometimes leaving me with a blank page or page not found error.
This can happen on a page load when many or all RSS feeds are being initially retrieved or refreshed. PHP is configured to execute scripts for a maximum period of seconds, so if your script exceeds this period it will not fully load the page. For more information read the manual entry on maximum execution time. If you can’t configure php on the hosting server, you must address this issue with your hosting provider.
The best solution is to avoid RSS refreshes when the page loads altogether. To do this, you can use the wp-cron-refresh-cache.php plugin or you need to setup a cronjob that runs the refresh-rss-cache.php script periodically. Installation instructions are in each file which are located in the main friends-rss and scripts directories, respectively.
I get “Warning: MagpieRSS: …” warning messages when I view my feed page. How can I get rid of them?
These warnings are usually a result of a badly-formed feed or bad feed URL. If you find these messages just plain annoying, you can stop them from displaying by uncommenting the //error_reporting(E_USER_ERROR); line in friends-rss.php.
All my feed dates are showing up in 1969 (or something equally old). What a year!!!!
That probably because the feeds you are fetching and parsing don’t have a date associated with each post/item. There’s not much you can do about this if you don’t have control over the feed, other than ask the feed owner.
I got an error on this site yesterday, just letting you know. I was able to load it okay today though. Thanks for the post.
AaHsqt thinkingof what?
I like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and exposure! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll.
I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one today..
I got what you intend,bookmarked , very nice internet site .
Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your web-site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched all over the place and simply could not come across. What an ideal web-site.
I discovered your blog using yahoo and I must say, this is certainly one of the best well prepared articles I have viewed in a long time. I have bookmarked your site for additional posts.
Things are more like they are now than they have ever been.
Hello, my group is just establishing our first website, searching and working out what is needed.
Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your article seem to be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The design and style look great though! Hope you get the problem solved soon. Kudos
Chemotherapy is usually a remedy familiar with treat cancers by making use of medicines. Usually, it’s applied just after surgery treatment to overpower advancement or even reappearance with cancer malignancy solar cells. It is very systematic method that prescription medication is inserted from the body and moves throughout the system so that you can eliminate cancers skin cells. Radiation treatment is also used in blend that provides improved results. You’ll be able to proceed through radiation treatment at home, hospital or maybe medical center. Length of time associated with chemotherapy is determined by what type, period in addition to present-day well being regarding affected individual it can be provided when daily, each week, per month or a great for-off plan.
Chemotherapy is actually a treatment method with regard to malignancies that requires using chemicals on the physique that are observed noxious to be able to malignant cells. Radiation treatment, typically profitable for cancerous many forms of cancer cells, frequently produces intensive adverse reactions in your body. Reported by an appraisal publicized inside Journal regarding Medical Oncology, some types of acupuncture-point arousal may well relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting. Inspite of significant develop over the last 10 years in controlling radiation treatment-induced nausea or vomiting plus vomiting, more than half of patients obtaining chemotherapy however have problems with these side effects. Moreover, feeling sick may remain a problem if nausea will be controlled. These kinds of indicators may be significantly debilitating and often cause people for you to turn down additional classes associated with chemotherapy. Neglecting chemotherapy can easily minimize the danger for total wellbeing effect.
I am reading this at 4am ugh
I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.
Benea Painting – Plastering 6 Elliot Drive Staplyton QLD 4207 Australia 1300 123 632 Quite insightful submit. Never believed that it was this simple after all. I had spent a great deal of my time looking for someone to explain this subject clearly and you’re the only 1 that ever did that. Kudos to you! Keep it up
Hi! Do you use Twitter? I would prefer to follow you if that would be ok. I’m certainly taking pleasure in your blog and look forward to new content.
Very good written information. It will be useful to anybody who employess it, as well as me. Keep doing what you are doing can’t wait to read more posts.
This is just the type of detail I was in search of. I wish I’d have discovered your blog sooner.
Rick Perruzzi
Friends RSS Aggregator adam @ 404 – positive page to book mark
Thank you, I’ve recently been hunting for info about this subject for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far.
Some genuinely nice stuff on this website, I enjoy it.
Thank you, I’ve recently been hunting for info about this subject for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far.
Mostly, lower back pain individuals heal 100 %, by just getting around in depth anxiety with their spine. Preliminary returned healing regularly accocunts for use of warm up also nippy lumbar pain treatment, or medicinal drug. If the lower back pain remains for over a 7 days lower back pain left side then its cognizant of call at your Doctor to seek suggestions about the right upper back pain healing authorities and be sure that we have less fundamental why the bed crisis which often can incorporate.
This is just the type of detail I was in search of. I wish I’d have discovered your blog sooner.
Ensure Vs Insure
[...] ?????http://adam.404.org/projects/friends-rss/ [...]
Great website…
[...]we like to honor many other internet sites on the web, even if they aren’t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[...]……
I definitely wanted to make a brief remark to be able to say thanks to you for the magnificent recommendations you are giving at this website. My extended internet search has at the end of the day been paid with reliable facts and techniques to share with my pals. I would assume that we readers actually are unequivocally endowed to exist in a very good community with very many marvellous professionals with interesting pointers. I feel quite grateful to have seen your entire web pages and look forward to tons of more exciting times reading here. Thank you again for all the details.
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something that I think I’d by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex and extremely wide for me. I’m looking forward for your subsequent submit, I’ll try to get the grasp of it!
Can you translate and post articles online from foreign news/magazines without fear of copyright infringement?…
I wanted to translate some articles from a foreign magazine and I was wondering if its legal to post them online…..
Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I in finding It really helpful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something again and help others such as you helped me.
Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
Greetings from Colorado! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, very good blog!
Thanks very much, I appreciate you making this post available, the rest of the site is also well done.
Grab this free $75 Google AdWords voucher before it expires!
Buy Adwords vouchers 100% Working at very cheap price and start with free Google advertising credit. Works worldwide and 24hrs delivery guarantee.
Latest Products. $50 Google Adwords Coupon. 3.50$1.00$. BUY NOW. $75 Google Adwords Coupon. 7.00$2.00$. BUY NOW.
AdWords is the premier advertising system run by one of the world’s largest websites,
Google?. A major source of revenue for the company, AdWords allows advertisers to offer links to their own sites.
Using related keyword searches, simple site descriptions, and a specialized section of page space on Google? sites,
AdWords is meant to increase website traffic
for business owners all while simultaneously making money for the parent company.
http://www.adwords-couponcode.info
[...] ?????http://adam.404.org/projects/friends-rss/ [...]
Do you have an issue with spambots spamming your blog with comments? Click http://is.gd/bjXPlP for the solution.
You could certainly see your expertise in the paintings you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
Needed to create you that tiny remark to finally say thanks a lot over again relating to the unique views you have featured above. It has been pretty generous with people like you to make extensively all that a number of people could possibly have marketed as an e book to help make some money for themselves, most importantly seeing that you could have done it if you ever considered necessary. These tricks as well served to become fantastic way to recognize that many people have the identical zeal the same as my very own to figure out much more on the topic of this matter. I think there are several more pleasant sessions up front for folks who view your blog.
very nice submit, i certainly love this web site, carry on itHope you would like to see more information concerning optic christmas village
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…Wish you would like to see more details with regards to platinum cushion cut ruby
Websites we think you should visit…
[...]although websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are actually worth a go through, so have a look[...]……
[...] ?????http://adam.404.org/projects/friends-rss/ [...]
[...] ?????http://adam.404.org/projects/friends-rss/ [...]
Gems form the internet…
[...]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[...]……
Websites we think you should visit…
[...]although websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are actually worth a go through, so have a look[...]……
Couldn? testosterone become prepared any benefit. Reading this article article reminds my family involving my best outdated living room spouse! Your dog often retained talking about that. Most definitely i’ll forwards this text to him. Fairly certain he will contain a wonderful browse. Thanks a lot for the purpose of spreading!
[...] ?????http://adam.404.org/projects/friends-rss/ [...]
[...] ?????http://adam.404.org/projects/friends-rss/ [...]
23.) After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.