If you know me, then you know that I love to work with Thesis Theme, and probably you know that I have redesigned our blog recently, I added some features and enhancements to it’s layout, and one interesting addition is the “Great Pens” widget on the sidebar, it has a list of our recent authors and their article links, also if you notice, clicking on the author’s avatar/image will take you to his/her blog, this means extra link has been added allover the blog, this is amazing because I have no idea how many backlinks this widget could give to each of our guest bloggers considering total number of posts on the blog.
Update: Latest Contributors with Images Widget is available for download!
You Asked for it!
Some of my dear friends and readers asked me to share the code I am using here on our blog, and I have no problem with that, I even created a nice WordPress plugin -my first plugin- today and added the code into it, I call it “WordPress Great Pens“. Installing this plugin will add a new widget to your WordPress, it will allow you to display a list of your recent contributors depending on your blog categories, along with a link to their latest articles, plus number of comments.
By this way you don’t have to suffer from adding the code manually. However you still can find the code inside the wp_great_pens.php code and even the style.css file has all needed styles!
I would like to mention that Great Pens plugin will list only 6 authors, this is the default, there is no options panel for it, this means there is no way to increase the list of authors rather than editing the wp_great_pens.php file.
Don’t worry, it’s not that that hard, there is a note I inside the file, you will find it easily!
Just search for “//Number of related pens that will be shown“. Remember, be careful while editing any file on your server! OK?!
Is it FREE?
YES! it’s a GIFT for you! Feel free to use it, share with your friends, edit the plugin, and do what ever you want with it! All what I am asking is some credit or a small mention on your blog and maybe linking to this post, just to spread the word in a try to reach more people who are looking for something similar. I am asking for this favor because I am not planning to develop this plugin anymore, but I am just imagining there might be someone interested in developing the Great Pens plugin once they discover it, so.. I hope they will find it through your blog!
Plugin installation!
As simple as any other WordPress plugin! no extra work, just extract the file and FTP it’s content to your wp-content/plugins folder
Read Before you download WP “Great Pens” plugin!
Pay attention plz, this plugin works tested on blogs that uses Thesis Theme, some parts of the code may not work on your blog if you not using Thesis!
So PLZ be careful with that! you still can download the plugin and check it out, maybe you can modify it to work on your blog theme. I appreciate if you share your version or modifications with us!
Note: Probably you will get this warning message after activating the plugin:
The plugin generated 2 characters of unexpected output during activation. If you notice “headers already sent” messages, problems with syndication feeds or other issues, try deactivating or removing this plugin.
After searching, I found out that this is a minor warning message, you don’t have to worry too much for that message, add the widget to your sidebar or footer and if the plugin is working as expected them just ignor the message. This plugin is tested on WordPress 3.0.3 and Thesis 1.8.
Note: download require sign-up for ThesisAwesome.com free download center
Ready? Download WP Great Pens plugin!
Enjoy!
Trying, and let me know how it looks on your blog!
Article by Hesham Zebida
I create websites, and I develop Thesis Skins. I am a social network lover. I am also the night creature who works hard to keep this project up. Owner and founder of FamousBloggers.net.
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{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: wellbeingweb
January 12, 2012 at 1:42 pm
I have 2 questions?
1: is this plugin working with the newest wordpress 3.3.1 and
2: Is there someone developing it?
Regards
Yes, it works, and yes I am managing the development of the plugin.
After installing this plugin, when I click on Empty cache link of W3 Total cache. The page goes to white page of death!!! Also no post title displayed next to the authors gravatar.
Please give your attention
Sreejesh recently posted..How to make a popup link using a Javascript
This plugin is coded for Thesis Themes only, I see that you are not running Thesis on your blog, so this is probably why it’s not working!
I do have a thesis theme but not used in my main blog. And I did try your plugin in my thesis test page.
Sreejesh recently posted..How to make a popup link using a Javascript
I just downloaded this plugin…I will install it soon and come back with an opinion
Dunno why but it is not working for me..:(
Shows nothing when placed in the sidebar, not even blank space…
It will not work if you don’t have contributors on your blog!
Works for me now!
Just have to stylize it now.
Wonderful plug-in. An attracting phenomenon for commenting.
Thanks for sharing the plug-in.
Usama recently posted..Who Are You Outsourcing Your Self-Worth To
awesome ..
This plugin would be too useful for me!
It made wonders for me sir!
thanks for the same
shashank chinchli recently posted..Submit your Website to 20 Less-popular Search Engines for FREE!
Shashank, glad to hear that.. enjoy!
Twitter: danlew
September 15, 2010 at 1:13 am
I just downloaded this plugin, thanks very much, might try it on one of my many sites
I hope it will be useful for you Daniel, it’s an ideal for multi-authors blogs, or blogs who are accepting guest posts
Twitter: seommotips
September 14, 2010 at 4:09 am
I envy those all who use Thesis. I am not using it. Thesis started to be strong enough in my wish list.
It would have been great if similar plugin is available that displays the recent posts of top commenters blog. This will be useful for single author blogs too! Even commenters would love!
Suresh Khanal recently posted..Do Ads Improve Your PageRank
The most interesting thing about Thesis Theme for me is the learning opportunity! it’s my favorite Theme and I highly recommend it!
Recent posts of top commenters? I am afraid this is not possible in a simple way, you can not grab recent posts from other blogs that easy! Commentluv is running on a whole server to provide links if you know what I mean!
Twitter: azblogtips
September 9, 2010 at 10:41 am
Great plugin and I will surely need this one for my new project sooner. Thanks Harsh
Tinh recently posted..Top Coupon Codes for September 2010
N.P … mmm.. Harsh who? lol!
Hesham, I think he’s mixed you up with Harsh Agrawal from the Shout Me Loud blog.
Has anyone tested your Famous Pens Plugin on a WordPress site that doesn’t use Thesis?
Jarret recently posted..Dietary supplements for weight loss
Yeah I know lol!
It will not work for non Thesis blogs, but maybe next week I can find a way to make it work, but we will need at least All in one SEO plugin to be installed to get the fields from it! (not sure yet) I will update if things went good!
Twitter: azblogtips
September 14, 2010 at 3:01 am
Ekek, my apologies! I did not mean @ Harsh but @ Hesham LOL
It did not work on my Thesi 1.8, I am trying it again now
Tinh recently posted..10 SureFire Methods To Boost Your Blog Traffic
I tried it on one of my tech blog (callingallgeeks.org) and it’s still live and it works great…
Though I suggested few feature amendment into it and lets see if Hesham put them up or else I will try to iterate this plugin and make it much better
Harsh recently posted..Twitter Keyboard Short Cuts for New Twitter
Oh! I just remembered this now, I will see what I can do, maybe we can release a new update or something soon
Twitter: heydevesh
September 9, 2010 at 6:51 am
Hey Hesham,
Awesome plugin. I just installed on my blog and it’s working like a charm.
The only problem is it reduces the speed of the blog.
Anyways, Thanks for awesome work man.
However, can you please tell how you’re showing the latest contributors widget in the footer.
Thanks ! !
Dev recently posted..Reciprocation – The ABC of Blogging Relationships
Nice!
Speed? it dose a super query that’s why! (thinking you are not a normal blog anymore! you are much more than that – thinking of more fast hosting service!)
The “Latest Contributers” might be my second plugin!
P.S. I hope you mention my plugin in a nice blog post!
Twitter: heydevesh
September 10, 2010 at 8:58 am
That’s awesome to hear man. Can’t wait to see you next plugin.
I will surely going to mention your plugin someday.
Thanks for the plugin.
Btw. Are you using lazyload plugin?
No, I have implemented the code in my Thesis skin!
Twitter: z3olyte
September 9, 2010 at 1:22 am
nice work on the plugin, Hesham
can the plugin also display contributors not depending on category and just display them in general?
Cindy recently posted..The Creeps! for iPhone and iPod Touch for Free
You mean like the way I display contributors here on the footer?
Well.. this plugin will only do what is says here, and it has to use categories or tags to grab the article links!
Listing contributors .. that might be my next plugin!
It really looks great on here Hesham. Thanks for sharing it with us. Now I just need to get on that list
Aaron recently posted..blogReaction Introduces Revenue Sharing on Free Blogging Platform
lol! getting on the list is so easy my friend
waiting you!
Thanks Hesham. This sounds like a good plugin. I am sure that many of your readers will find it to be extremely useful.
I can not say no to my friends
This is a really nice plugin. I want to use it for one of my blogs but it doesn’t run on Thesis. Will it work on any wordpress-powered site? thanks!
Lynda recently posted..My Pillow Pets – Kids Love Them!
Thank you Lynda, but I am afraid it will not work your blog if you don’t have Thesis Theme!
I will see if I can do a work around and make it work for other blogs, but at least you will need to have All in SEO plugin enabled on your blog! not sure yet regarding my time, but.. well stay tuned, good things could happen at any time
Twitter: bloggerdaily
September 8, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Nice plugin there, buddy! I admire your work on Thesis! It’s awesome!!! Keep up!
Oh! let me know if you decided to use it on your blog! I would love to see it in action
Twitter: bloggerdaily
September 8, 2010 at 6:11 pm
I’m testing it.. however it got some problems. Maybe because of my wp version. I’ll let you know when it’s ready!
You need to have custom fields at least for titles, let me know more details! drop me an email if you need to!
Twitter: bloggerdaily
September 8, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Oh? That’s why.. ok, Hesham. I’ll email you if needed. Thanks for your help!
Twitter: bloggerdaily
September 9, 2010 at 3:34 am
Now I understand why you said it’s quite hard to be used by non-Thesis users. Because I just realized that this plugin relies on the custom titles!
I’d applied your plugin at one of my blog –> http://dailyhealthcare.net/
Btw I hope you add some user-friendly features such as option panel so it’ll be easier for the users to modify the settings. Other thing to say – this plugin is really awesome!!
Thanks Hesham and keep up the good work!
Cool!
I hope I can find enough time, but you always can edit it manually till some super happen
P.S. this plugin is created for multi-authors blogs, so maybe you don’t need to use it on a blog you are the only one who blog at
Wow, This is really cool Hesham,
You are always coming up with great things.
BTW: I don’t think this is your first plugin, what of the MMO social button?
Onibalusi Bamidele recently posted..Interview With Dynamic Entrepreneur – Martin Njounkwe
The MMO was adoption from another plugin! but this one is my real first one lol! however I am not sure if I will have time to develop it more, I just think there are some other stuff worth my time
Hi Hesham,
I like Great Pens on the sidebar, to see the most comments post and the possibility to direct in and read it if I have miss it.
This is why I have a nice long list, I am even thinking to organize it more in categories! this will be my next task!
Hi Hesham,
I love the idea for this plug-in. Nothing like giving your guest posters props.
If you have many guest posts it’s a no-brainer download.
Thanks for your generosity!
Ryan Biddulph
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..Your Thinking – The Spaces Are the Places to Be
It’s very useful in many ways
I appreciate your kind words Ryan! have a great day my friend!
Awesome plug-in, Hesham! Although I don’t run Thesis for my blog, this plug-in is surely very useful for multi-author blog.
If you combine this plug-in with a plug-in to cache the gravatar, it would be a perfect combination! You can cut numerous HTTP request to the gravatar server and boost the blog load time. What do you think about my idea lol
Mike recently posted..20 Awesome SEO Infographics You Must Watch Bonus
Awesome way of thinking Mike!
Not so sure about my time, and maybe I am not going to add development to this plugin, also I am not a perfect developer, but I was just trying to help my fellows who asked for it!
Thanks for the tip
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