I’m so glad you asked.
If I were to compile a wish list of updates/changes . . .
#1 would be limiting the sidebar index to the selection from the prefix menu. This would eliminate any need to define a restriction to the numbers shown in the widget settings. It would be cleaner, faster and more logical and give the user a feel for how the encyclopedia works.
#2 would be the ability to have the prefix bar added to a page OR the ability to set/have a archive “starter” page that presupposes the prefix selection is “A”. Look at the website. I don’t really need/want an “about” page but I have to have one for the site not to produce a “page not found” error when it loads for the first time. This is a flexibility issue. How are other sites transitioning from blog (which this site doesn’t have/use) to encyclopedia?
#3 would be to never present in the archive page anything but the individual selected term or terms with the ability to limit the amount of text shown for each if multiple items are displayed. The encyclopedia search would display the searched for term(s) in the sidebar index, not in the archive page. If a single term is returned from the search, it would display the term in the archive. The prefix bar would be shown throughout, regardless of whether there was a term to display.
I’m trying to suggest logical things that would speed up the use and widen the scope of the abilities of the plugin. I hope I’m being helpful and not bashing you over what I need and am not getting.
Plugin Author
Dennis
(@dhoppe)
Nothing of this list could be accomplished by the plugin. This is how your theme is designed.
#1 would require a custom archive-encyclopedia.php
#2 would require a custom page template which renders the prefix filter above the page title and content
#3 would require a custom archive-encyclopedia.php and search-encyclopedia.php
Again: This is a plugin. It cannot change the anatomy of your theme.
In 1997 I worked for a local ISP that did custom programming. I was given a job by the on-site developer to produce something for a stock market client. He said “I don’t think this can be done but . . . ” I made it happen. I’m a terrier when it comes to “it won’t work”. If this is something you aren’t capable of doing I can accept that.
Plugin Author
Dennis
(@dhoppe)
In the Pro-Support we could discuss an offer for customizing your theme. The plugin cannot change the design of the theme templates.
You say it would require a custom archive-encyclopedia.php. There are 4002 plugins that alter the theme archive in some way so it appears that isn’t a block to improving your plugin making the “cannot change the anatomy of your theme” argument moot.
You say it would require a custom page template that render the prefix filter above the page title/content. So? Are you saying that’s hard to do?
The same argument applies to #3. You’re saying this is onerous?
Be upfront and say “I don’t want to be bothered to improve my plugin” and we’ll call it done. This is like the lack of documentation issue. It’s either a problem you want to solve or it’s not. In the amount of time I’ve spent trying to solve issues and get it to work the way I need it to work I could have rewritten my scripts. I did learn a lot so thanks for that. I’m sorry I spent the money on the pro version. I thought I would be getting what I need. My fault. Buyer beware.
I’ve given up on the plugin ever doing what I need and have rewritten my scripts. They are up and working at https://surveyorslexicon.com. I’m still filtering images and pdf files, including the lexicon logo (blank image upper left) so be aware of that when you go look. I was right, it did take a lot less time rewriting my scripts. I did learn a lot so again, thanks.
I’ve made a couple improvements to my original work. The layout now used grids instead of tables. When a prefix letter is selected off the horizontal menu, the script filters the selection from the database and builds the index out of just the prefix letter selected. As long as the “Load Complete Index” button isn’t clicked the prefix selected index remains. I may add a second prefix filter menu. Maybe. At this point I’m not seeing the need.
I have another improvement I’d like to make involving the search function. I fussed with it a bit yesterday morning but it’s going to require more brain time to get just what I want. I’m letting it percolate to see what rises to the top.
I’m using procedural formatting for my scripts. I read somewhere they’re just a bit faster. I may make a WP template for this . . . maybe. It’ll depend on my work load and interest.
