These servers are intended for those who know there way round a Linux distro (in short people cleverer than me). Thankfully I have some clever friends who hold my hand regularly.

External SMTP to the Rescue

I figured the e-mail notifications weren’t working as intended as I have a setting missing on my server, likely a one liner if you know what you are doing. However a quick google revealed that there are a number of plugins that “hijack” WordPress mail functions and allow you to use an external SMTP server, like GMail. In short there might be no need to mess with my server.

After installing HGK SMTP from the plugin directory I now have e-mail notifications coming through to my inbox. Here’s the config screen, complete this, send a test e-mail and all being well you should be set.

Definitely recommended and worth a try if you are having trouble with e-mail on your WordPress install.

Here’s what I am thinking I will add next, if you have any ideas do let me know.

• Ability to output a block using a shortcode
• Dashboard panel to allow easy access to your blocks
• Friendly names in the admin list (i.e. not the slugified version)
• Revisions (although this may take some time)

Downloads via the Plugin Directory are as of today around 150 which is great news, I hope people are finding it useful. I have had a bunch of feedback on this site and via e-mail and am working on a few tweaks.

Direct Link: Plugin of the Day #0047

• Auto highlighting of the template code when you click into the input
• Added confirmation alert when deleting a block

If you try it and find any “bugs” let me know and I’ll get on it.

Direct Link: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-blocks/

There’s some great thinking behind the reasons for the design over on the Campaign Monitor blog.

Also check out their lunch ordering system, every company should have one!

I recently picked up the sequel on DVD, “Funeral in Berlin” . If you like spy films it’s worth 90 minutes of your time. However if you have any interest in cold war era Berlin, like I do, then you will be fascinated by many of the sequences depicting life on the east and west sides of the wall.

Filmed in 1966, 5 years after the wall was erected, it shows many famous landmarks including Checkpoint Charlie as well as the stark difference between the “glamorous” west and the “baron” east. Propaganda maybe?

I decided to see if the original trailer was available on YouTube. It is, and is below. It’s very different to the style we now associate with spy movies.

Would you ever hear a line like “Girls always make passes at spies who wear glasses” today?

As part of my day job I get to chat to some of the leaders in the web industry. In this interview, recorded at the Future of Web Design event in London, my colleague Mike and I chat with Brendan Dawes of Magnetic North. We chat about Flash, Canvas, MoviePeg and much more.

If you are a music fan and get the opportunity to chat with Brendan be sure to pick his brains on the “Madchester” music scene, you will not be disappointed.

Download: Brendan Dawes Interview mp3

Found here and available on Vimeo.