The FSF Bulletin is now available online here: https://magazine.fsf.org/
Migrations to PHP 8 beginning
Posted: 2022-04-07Sites hosted by hosting providers that allow selecting PHP 8 as the PHP version running are being tested under PHP 8. If they are found to work OK, then PHP 8 is set as the PHP version for the domain. When we switch a site, we notify the site’s designated contact first.
Simple Human Test Plugin Updated
Posted: 2021-11-17The Simple Human Test WordPress plugin has been updated to include a more obvious visual cue when Javascript unlocking is used. There was at least one report of someone who couldn’t seem to see the difference between the disabled/enabled states of a form’s submit button.
Simple Human Test now displays a red, locked padlock near the verify button until the correct response is entered, and then changes the cue to a green, unlocked padlock.
Simple Human Test WordPress Plugin Available
Posted: 2021-07-02CAPTCHA’s often have tracking features, require admin accounts registered somewhere, depend on 3rd party services, etc. Some even have fees attached. They can also be (relatively speaking) a pain to embed in a form. I wrote a WordPress plugin that provides a simple test for a rational, sentient creature behind the browser. It puts a question or repeat-after-me chosen at random from a bank of tests along with a text input field on the page, and provides a function for verifying the proper response was given.
I don’t know if it is better or worse at filtering out bot traffic than a fancy CAPTCHA, to be honest, but its free and easy to use. Simple Human Test is available here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/simplehumantest/
SnapCap Utility Available on GitHub
Posted: 2021-06-26A simple file and database backup utility that I wrote is available on GitHub. SnapCap implements a minimalist communication protocol for a client/server remote backup. Command communications are encrypted, and backup archives are downloaded optionally encrypted. A public/private key pair is configured during setup, so each installation can (and should) have its own keys. Backup archives are encrypted with a randomly generated symmetric key. At present, only a PHP client and PHP server are available, but I plan to implement the protocol in other languages in the future as needed. SnapCap can be found here: https://github.com/IAmScottCH/snapcap
End of Life for PHP Versions Prior to 7.4
Posted: 2021-06-21All versions of PHP prior to PHP 7.4 will reach end of life in early December of 2021. I will be adjusting the configuration of any applicable client web hosts to serve PHP 7.4 or 8.x by the end of November. For most sites where PHP has been kept reasonably up-to-date, this should be a non-issue, and there will be no problems.
However, if you are a client who has very recently signed up for maintenance services and your site is running on a very old and crusty version of PHP, I’ll clone your site on a server with a current PHP version to identify any potential issues. If I find any, I’ll provide a remediation plan. In either case, I’ll let you know in advance when the updates to PHP will be performed.
Split File Utility Available on Source Forge
Posted: 2021-06-17I revived and revised an old Linux utility of mine called “Split File” and made the source available on Source Forge. Split File splits a single file into multiple files based on the value (key) in a range of columns, or on a record delimiter. The Split File source code is available for download for free here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/splitfile/
WordPress Classic Editor Support Ending
Posted: 2021-05-21The WordPress development team is supporting the Classic Editor through the end of 2021, at which point they will “re-evaluate” to determine if they will support it longer. I expect they will decide not to support it.
If you are using the Classic Editor on your site, you might want to start getting used to the Block Editor (aka, Gutenberg Editor) now. I will be forced to deactivate and remove the Classic Editor from sites once the WordPress development team drops support, to mitigate the security risks of an outdated, unsupported plugin on your site.
Don’t hesitate to contact me with questions, and if you’d like a “sandbox” site to play with the Block Editor in, please let me know.