The Chicklet Creator Wordpress plugin just got better and much easier to use.

Version 0.5 Includes:

• A configuration pane in Worpress’ admin area.
• New Feed Buttons.
• Lots of new code.
• All local images for fast load times.
• More like a real Wordpress plugin.

Check out the Chicklet Creator Wordpress Plugin v0.5 and let me know what you think.

You can leave feedback below and I’ll workout any issues I can. At this time, there is no drop down option. For that, you’ll need to use the online tool.

I can’t say I was ever a big fan of Google Reader, it was just a little to weird for me. However, the new Google Reader seems to be more advanced and much nicer. I’m actually quite digging the simple interface, nice layout and the stared or shared items.The only thing missing is browser integration. I’d love to have it work with Firefox’s sidebar. I like my browser integration to much to navigate away from Sage (or Flock’s feed reader).

Another thing I’d like to see are feed fav icons. Flock has them and it’s really nice.

As I bounce back and fourth between Firefox and Flock, I realize that I really need some sort of OPML syncing service. A quick Google and Yahoo search came up with nothing.

Is there really no service to sync OPML files between browsers? I have Sage in Firefox and Flock has a nice built in feed reader and now I need them to sync automatically so that they both have the same feeds.

Anyone? Ideas?

FYI: OPML is a file that holds your list of feeds. By syncing OPML files across the internet, you could always make sure you’re browser had an up-to-date list.

The upgraded Chicklet Creator is just around the corner.  Really, in that folder over there.

Now is the time to send in any Feed readers or other blog services that you want included.  This is a big update so you’ll definitely want to get your service, or your favorite service added.

What is a feed?

A feed is a web document that usually ends in .xml or .rss and it is a slimed down version of a website that is created to be easily syndicated. It may be represented by an orange icon.

What does it cost? $0 - It’s free.

What is a feed reader?

A feed reader is an application, stand alone or web based, that reads feeds. A feed reader is to feeds what an email application is to email.

What is a Chicklet or feed button?

I’ve updated the Chicklet Creator with new buttons today. Now included are Technorati (add to favorites), Protopage, Pageflakes and Netvibes. I may have another new button in the works, but feel free to share any services that I’m missing.

I’ve also updated the Yahoo, Rojo, Newsgator and Pluck images to come directly from those services, not from my site. This will help out with my bandwidth some. The new buttons are also located on their respected sites. I’m just trying to save the pennies.

As always, if you find issues let me know. I can’t fix what I don’t know about.

There is an amazing feature available for hosted Wordpress.com blogs called Feed Stats. It tells you how many people have viewed your feed and what feed readers were used. The bad part? It’s only for Wordpress.com blogs.

See a great review of Feed Stats.

I’m hoping that the feed stats feature makes it into all Wordpress blogs. The only other option seems to be Feedburner. Personally, I like having my feed URL be part of my site and I don’t want to pay for any additional features.

I just update the Chicklet Creator to add the ability to define what code appears before all buttons, before each button, after each and after all. This will help format the code to fit your needs right way and you don’t have to worry about it later.

You can easily create your feed buttons in a list or remove any type of separation between each button.

This functionally is already part of the Chicklet Creator Wordpress plugin.

Check it out and let me know if any issues come up.

Now available for download is the Chicklet Creator Wordpress plugin. It’s very similar to the social bookmark links plugin I released a few days ago.

Included in the plugin are the button images and the plugin file.

Install & Configure Instructions [new location]
1) Download the plugin. Version 0.1
2) Open chicklet-creator.php and configure it. Turn on the buttons you want and set up a few optional features.
3) Upload the entire Chicklet-Creator folder into your Wordpress plugins directory.
4) Activate it via the Plugins area in the admin.
5) Put this code where you want the social bookmark links to show up: < ? chicklet_creator() ? > (remove the space before the first ? and after the last ?)
- This code should work anywhere in your blog template.
- If you de-active the plugin, you have to remove this code or you’ll throw errors!

To everyone!

I appreciate you using my feed button maker code however I do have one request. My bandwidth is going though the roof and I was wondering if I could get you to host your feed button images on your own site instead of connecting to mine. It’s not even the middle of March and I’m at 80% of my limit already!

You can download the button images here: http://www.twistermc.com/RSS-images/RSS-images.zip

Thank You
Thomas