Nate Covington

I want to take a quick moment to reiterate why I love Open Source software so much.  Not only is open source software free to use and customize to your liking, you can also run it on almost any hosting server.  You could even host it on a server in your basement if so desired.  

I recently noticed that the “Captcha” field on my website’s comment form was still showing the old “V1” anti-spam check:

(Yikes!)

Rather than the newer, friendlier format: 

The solution, which actually came as a surprise, was quite simple.  All I had to do was update the “K2 Component” in my site to the latest version and generate a new API key for the new “V2” Captcha.  And it just so happens that the developers behind K2 took the effort to make the latest version of K2 (released in 2017) compatible with Joomla 1.5, which dates back to 2010.   

Shareaholic 2017 Data Report
Notable findings include search volume outperforming social for the first time in 3 years. Facebook also had a 12% reduction in usage for 2nd half of 2017 compared to 2nd half of 2016.

New Google Search Console
Free tools to make sure that Google is properly indexing your site. If you're not using this along with Google Analytics, you're missing out!

Chrome will Mark Non-HTTPS as Not Secure in July 2018
This is a big deal because over half of internet users browse with Chrome.  If you don't have SSL enabled for your site yet, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. today to get this resolved.    

A Thorough Migration Checklist
This is a great article to show all of the moving parts when changing domain names.

Keyword infringement: Edible Arrangements files $209M trademark suit against Google
Ouch!  Apparently, you can only BID on trademarked keywords using Google Adwords.  You can't use the trademarked keyword in your actual ad.  

Dear Microsoft:

This is disturbing.  

1. MOBILE-READY DESIGN

From template or custom artwork

2. CUSTOMIZABLE URL’s

Custom landing pages allow for new content to easily be found

3. CLIENT CONTROL

Open source (no vendor lock-in), customizable, manage from any browser Compatible with almost any hosting service

4. NO CONTRACTS

Hourly pricing, 48-hour support ticket response

5. FIXED-COST PROJECTS

No billing surprises

...using custom PHP confirmation message:

I needed something that would allow a client to provide name, email, invoice number, and amount.  All of the solutions I could find were either for the older version of Webform, or they were too cumbersome... too many modules required... not enough simplicity and control.  Many of the solutions would only allow for "donations" of fixed amounts. 

My solution was to adapt the solution found here (which was written for a specific scenario, also using the older version of Webform), adapt it for my needs, and recode for Webform v4.  

Note that this solution requires that you enable the "PHP Filter" module, which is a potential security issue if configured incorrectly.  

I recently had to come up with a way to track a client's Drupal site, using the Webform module, from within Google Analytics.  Since the Webform module generates the "submit" button automatically, there is no easy way to include the "onClick" tracking code provided by Google into the form:

onClick="ga('send', 'event', { eventCategory: 'Legacy Event Signup', eventAction: 'Sign Up', eventLabel: 'Legacy Signups', eventValue: 1});"

My solution was to write a short "hook" script in the template.  To incorporate into your site, you need to modify this file:

/sites/all/themes/YOURTHEME/template.php

Web host agrees to pay $1m after it’s hit by Linux-targeting ransomware

What would you do if YOUR computer were hit by this type of ransomware?
What if your computer were stolen?
What if your building burns down?  

The advantage of using an SSL certificate with your website is the ‘green lock’ symbol that visitors get when browsing your site:

Rather than this:

For years now, Google has been encouraging all websites to switch from HTTP to secure HTTPS (SSL).

Editor's Note:
I'm posting this article because it goes into a fair amount of detail about how a web site's hosting account and how its various parts are configured play an important role in handling large spikes in traffic.  Most of my clients never encounter this type of a problem.  It's always good to be ready.  If you're not sure if your hosting account is set up to handle large bursts in traffic, let me know, and I'll put together some recommendations.  For most folks, enabling caching is going to be sufficient.  Others might appreciate the extra protection provided by a service like CloudFlare.

Millions relied on Space City Weather—here’s the configuration that weathered Hurricane Harvey.

HOUSTON—I had enough to worry about as Hurricane Harvey plowed into the Texas Gulf Coast on the night of August 25 and delivered a category 4 punch to the nearby city of Rockport. But I simultaneously faced a different kind of storm: an unexpected surge of traffic hitting the Space City Weather Web server. This was the first of what would turn into several very long and restless nights.

I recently switched a client's site from HTTP to HTTPS (SSL encryption) and needed to come up with a solution to their "social sharing counts" resetting to zero.  This is not a flaw or bug, it's working as it was intended.  

Here is how it works.  When you share a page via social media, it uses its URL:
http://www.yoursite.com/the-page-you-are-sharing

When you switch to SSL / HTTPS, your URL changes, similar to if your domain name changes altogether:
https://www.yoursite.com/the-page-you-are-sharing

With the new URL, you lose all of your social sharing counts, a source of major pride (and potential profits).