WordPress countdown widget

The WordPress countdown widget: A simple and customizable countdown plugin for your WordPress site

Countdown widgets make for an excellent addition to many sites. Because of this, many developers have created and released several different countdown plugins. With so many available plugins, how do you know which one is right for you? Well, you could download and install several random plugins before finding the one that you like, or you could save some time and give the WordPress countdown widget a try first.

The WordPress countdown widget is a simple widget that lets you add unlimited countdowns to your WordPress site. Unlike some countdown widgets that function incorrectly when more than one instance is used on a page, the WordPress countdown widget functions properly no matter how many times you wish to use it. Plus, having been developed by Shailan.com, a popular developer of WordPress themes, plugins, and widgets, you can rest assured that it’s a safe and reliable widget to add to your site.

With over 10,000 downloads and an average rating of 4/5 stars, the WordPress countdown widget requires that you use WordPress 4.7 version or higher. It has been tested up to version 5.2.5. When installing any new plugins on your current WordPress site, always be sure to back up your files just in case something should go wrong during installation.

As for the installation itself, it’s simple. After downloading the WordPress Countdown Widget, you’ll need to install it from the WP Admin > Plugins page. Upon completion, simply activate the plugin and drag and drop it onto the sidebar at your desired location. This can be done from the Appearance > Widgets page.

Next, you’ll need to customize your widget, so that your new countdown clock looks and works the way you want it to. You’ll be asked to include a title and event title, plus the date and time to which you are counting down to. You are also given the option of formatting the date and time, and you'll be asked to provide the appropriate time zone. Display properties like text color, background color, and width are also fully customizable. If you wish, you are given the option of removing the “powered by” link at the bottom of the widget.

Overall, the WordPress countdown widget is an excellent tool. Its only downfall is that, like most other plugins, it doesn’t work on all versions of WordPress. If you do, however, happen to have a compatible version and are in need of a basic countdown clock, then its ease of installation and customizable features makes it a simple, but certainly worthy, addition to your WordPress site.

Please note: This article is in reference to the WordPress countdown widget, which can be found at: https://www.wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-countdown-widget.

How to test your Web site's links

Never discount the importance of testing your Web site's links

Links are an essential part of any Web site. After all, they form the basis of all online navigation. That's why, regardless of whether you are directing your visitors toward another page of your site, or sending them to a different site altogether, your links need to work. Otherwise, your visitors may become frustrated with your site and never return. To prevent such frustration, all new links should be immediately tested as you add them to your Web site in order to ensure correct functionality. Time allowing, you should also occasionally test any previously added links to offsite pages, because such pages can be changed or removed at any time, often without warning.

So, how can you check that your Web site's links are indeed functioning correctly? Well, the most basic way of testing a link is simply clicking on it and seeing what happens. If the link redirects you to the correct page or resource, then great – no further action is necessary! If the link isn't directing you to the correct page or resource, however, then you'll need to take a closer look at the link itself and correct any errors that may be preventing it from working as expected. Also, if a linked page or resource is no longer available, then you'll need to remove its corresponding link from your site or find a suitable replacement link to use instead.

Now, this basic method for checking link function obviously works well on small sites, but since it requires you to manually check each link, it can prove to be very time consuming on larger sites - especially sites containing hundreds, thousands, or even millions of links. So, how do you go about testing the links on larger or link-heavy sites? One method many webmasters choose is tasking special link-checking software to do the work for them. Online resources are also available to help automate the process, with the W3C Link Checker being a popular choice. If you wish to give the W3C Link Checker a try, please visit: https://validator.w3.org/checklink.

Another way to seek out information about your Web site's potentially broken links is to visit your Web site's error log. If you have access to the log files, then you should be able to see a list of the latest errors encountered on your Web site. Typically, error logs include information about any pages or resources that were unreachable to visitors, plus information about the page or resource that generated each error. By using your Web site's error log as a guide, you'll have a better idea about which links may need to be fixed or removed.

Unfortunately, there's a serious problem that occurs both when using automated link testers and when checking a Web site's error log – neither method pays any attention to the actual content of the linked pages or resources. Links receive a passing grade so long as the page or resource that is being linked to simply exists. This can be a major problem if you often link to offsite pages or resources that you have no control over because any changes to such content may go unnoticed by you while your original link remains active to your visitors. To ensure that the linked destination still contains the same content it did when you first linked to it, be sure to occasionally check your links manually, especially if you are linking to pages or resources beyond your control.

Because links are such a crucial part of any Web site, it is critically important to test them regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly. Though automated link testers and error logs are informative and can help speed up the testing process when used, don't forget that manual testing is also important – especially if you are linking to pages or resources that could change without your knowledge. By checking your error logs and regularly testing your Web site's links, both manually and via an automated link checker, you will have the best chance of locating your Web site's problematic links, allowing you to correct any problems that could prevent your visitors from easily navigating your site.

The four-second rule of Web site design

According to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, average attention spans in 2015 were just over eight seconds. Though this itself sounds short, the institute also found that attention spans may be even shorter while surfing the Web, as nearly twenty percent of reported page views lasted less than four seconds. So, in knowing that you have such a small window of time to connect with your visitors, what can be done to keep people on your site beyond the initial four seconds?

First, ensure your site is fast loading, and, second, place your most engaging content readily in view of your visitors.

When discussing page load speed, it is widely acknowledged that faster is better. After all, if visitors fail to find attention-grabbing content within the first four seconds of clicking through to your site, they may hit the back button in hopes of finding another site that will cater to their needs in a timelier manner. To avoid losing your visitors before they even reach your content, always choose a hosting provider with consistently high-speed service and uptime guarantees. You should also optimize your Web site's assets and code to further reduce page loading times.

Beyond choosing a fast and reliable hosting provider and optimizing your site's assets and code to improve page load speed, you may also want to familiarize yourself with the concept of heat mapping. Various online heat mapping tools are available that can show you which portions of your pages draw the most visitor interaction. Using this information, rearrange your pages so your most engaging content is higher up on the page. That way, it can be more easily found by your Web site's visitors.

In a world with ever-shortening attention spans, it's becoming more important for Web site designers to consider the four-second rule when creating and optimizing their Web sites. To help retain your visitors beyond the first four seconds of their arrival, always ensure that your hosting provider provides fast and reliable service, that your Web site's assets and code are optimized for reduced loading times, and that your site's most engaging content is readily available to your Web site's visitors.

Comparing WordPress platforms

What are the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?

Despite WordPress being one of today's most popular blogging options, many people remain confused about the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. Though both Web sites may sound similar at first mention, there are several important differences between the two. So, if you are planning on creating a WordPress site, be sure to compare the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, so you can choose the product that is right for you.

The following lists will help you compare the two sites:

WordPress.com

• On WordPress.com, blogs are hosted by WordPress, so you aren't required to purchase a custom domain name or Web hosting. There is also no need to download or install the WordPress software yourself.
• When using WordPress.com, basic service is free but ad-supported. Free accounts have limited storage space and use a WordPress.com subdomain for the website address.
• Upgraded accounts on WordPress.com have access to more features than their free counterparts. Popular upgrades include increased storage space, the ability to install plugins, and monetization options. While upgraded accounts are still hosted by WordPress, they can use a custom domain name if one is purchased separately.
• When creating a site at WordPress.com, all updates, backups, and maintenance are performed by WordPress.

WordPress.org

• If you wish to self-host a WordPress blog, you must first purchase your own custom domain name and Web hosting, then download and install the free blogging software available at WordPress.org.
• When self-hosting a blog with files downloaded from WordPress.org, storage space is only limited to the space offered by your hosting provider. Many providers offer unlimited storage space as part of their standard hosting plans.
• As a self-hosted blog owner, you can monetize your site as you see fit and install any plugins you choose.
• When self-hosting a WordPress blog, you must perform your own updates, backups, and maintenance.

Despite the similarities between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, there are several differences to consider when deciding which product is right for you. For those looking for a free (albeit limited) option requiring less technical know-how, WordPress.com is the way to go. For prospective bloggers who are looking for a more robust, customizable product, WordPress.org may be the better option of the two.

Information technology careers

As a registered user of the Job Center of Wisconsin (JCW) Web site, I received the following information by e-mail, and thought it was worth sharing for anyone who may be interested.

The Event:

Training and employment funds available for IT careers!

The TechHire IT Program:

The TechHire IT program offers qualifying young people 17-29 years old (with some exceptions) with a high school degree or equivalent an opportunity to begin their career in Informational Technology (IT). Training and Job Placement will focus on IT-related jobs such as Network Security, Computer Systems Analysts, Software Developers, and Computer User Support Specialists. The TechHire program is Free.

The TechHire program has two options:

1) If you already have some work experience or education in IT, you can work one-on-one with a career coach to identify needed IT certifications or college courses to complete your degree and to find a job in IT. This program begins as soon as you are ready and registered!

2) You can attend an intensive, 4-month “boot camp” style training for certification in IT Service Center Help Desk Technician, including CompTia A+, work with a Career Coach and receive job placement services to start your new career. The next boot camp begins on Monday, February 11, 2019.

For more information:

• For further information contact (414) 921-0711 or complete an online inquiry form at https://employmke.wufoo.com/forms/kefz7qh127ysaz/. 
• Information sessions are scheduled for January 10 and 11 if you call or inquire. You're welcome to share this with others as well.

For Questions Contact:

TechHire
414-921-0711

Tech/Hire IT Service Center Technician Certificate Program brought to you by Employee Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC).

Please be sure to check out the Job Center of Wisconsin Facebook page.

JCW is a product of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and the Wisconsin Job Center system.

Sincerely,

Job Center of Wisconsin
https://www.jobcenterofwisconsin.com
(888) 258-9966

Learn to code in HTML and CSS

Several students I work with are currently in a computer science course and have a strong interest in developing their coding and programming skills. In that light, I thought I'd share a couple of great resources for learning HTML and CSS coding for anyone interested here. A lot of promising, in-demand careers in this field! Happy learning!

21 Basic HTML Codes Everyone Who’s Not a Developer Should Know

Here is a series of videos from Khan Academy on creating Web pages using HTML and CSS:

Hour of Code - Creating webpages