[Plugin: NetBlog] CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION open_basedir error GUI netblog 3?

Hello,

1)
I have this error text in the upper section of my admin screen (but the plugin seems normal for the rest):
Warning: curl_setopt_array() [function.curl-setopt-array]: CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION cannot be activated when in safe_mode or an open_basedir is set in /XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX/wp-content/plugins/netblog/core/DataTransfer.php on line 25

It turns out the safe_mode is turned on, so it probably has to do with open_basedir settings. I’m on shared hosting, so I will probably have to contact my hosting provider to lift restrictions in php.ini.

My question is however: is this essential for the functionality of the plugin? Or can I just ignore that error, without contacting my hosting provider?

2)
If I click on “Links” in the menu, then I don’t see the nice GUI like the one that I can see in the screenshots on your website, or like in in the screenshot tab of the netblog plugin page in the wordpress plugin repository. I only see the title “Netblog MEL – Manage External Links”, the smiling faces, and the message: “You do not have any external links, yet. But this is no problem. Adding External Links Go to the Edit Post …” (it’s a fresh install, so no links yet).

Is that normal?

3)
I very much like the idea and completeness of the plugin. I am a part-time academic, so it certainly has some value for me. I saw on your website that you are soliciting donations to work on netblog 3.0. I might be willing to make a small donation, but I was wondering if you know other people who want to make a small donation as well, to get this development started? It would be rather stupid looking if I would be the only one to click the paypal button.

Did you consider using a crowdfunding platform by the way (i.e. Indiegogo)? It also offers some visibility, but it comes at a price: you pay a heavy commission.

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/netblog/