Following on from the popularity of the NextGEN Gallery Optimizer plugin I released a few months back (20,000 downloads and counting), I’ve just launched…

*drumroll*

NextGEN Gallery ColorBoxer!!!

Providing one-click ColorBox lightbox integration with NextGEN Gallery, ColorBoxer, like Optimizer, also only loads the lightbox scripts and styles when a gallery shortcode is present, helping you speed up your site!

It won’t optimize NextGEN Gallery’s scripts and styles however, that’s Optimizer’s job. But…if you’re crazy for ColorBox AND the speed boost from Optimizer…good news! You can use both plugins simultaneously! (just switch off Fancybox in Optimizer).

ColorBoxer’s installation is completely automatic (just click activate on the plugins page), and for tinkerers, you can fine-tune your ColorBox opacity (21 stops from 0 to 1) and transition effect (none | fade | elastic) on the settings page.

As always, let me know if you have any questions or suggestions…either in the comments below, via the contact page or on the support forums.

And finally, if you like the development so far, a good rating on WordPress.org would be much appreciated!

Download NextGEN Gallery ColorBoxer FREE from WordPress.org

Enjoy!

– Mark.

I’ve been doing a lot of WordPress development as of late, and as a result of some speed optimization I was carrying out for a client, I developed some clever functions to optimize the ever-popular NextGEN Gallery plugin – ensuring that its heavy scripts and stylesheets don’t load unless they’re needed.

I thought this work might benefit the community as a whole…so I’ve further developed it into a plugin called NextGEN Gallery Optimizer, which is now available to download from the WordPress Plugin Directory.

Functionality:

Basically, the plugin uses a regular expression to detect NextGEN’s [nggallery id=x] shortcode, and if found, inserts your css as per your selections on the plugin’s settings page. If the shortcode isn’t found, no gallery-related scripts or styles will be served – unburdening your gallery-free posts from the extra overhead and making them load considerably faster.

On top of page load speed, I discovered many people were having trouble installing the AWESOME Fancybox lightbox and synching it with NextGEN, so I’ve included and integrated it into NextGEN Gallery Optimizer as an easy-install option.

I’ve tested NextGEN Gallery Optimizer on WordPress 3.1.2 right up to the latest version 3.3.1. The plugin itself requires at least NextGEN Gallery 1.6.2 and up.

Please note:

This is only the first version, so there are some known limitations…

NextGEN Gallery Optimizer ONLY looks for the [nggallery id=x] shortcode, and ONLY on Posts! This means it will not add scripts and styles on posts embedded with NGG’s single images or slideshows, or add anything on WordPress Pages…well, at least not yet!

Please do let me know if you’d like to see these, and/or other functionalities incorporated into the plugin!

Download NextGEN Gallery Optimizer at WordPress.org

Have your say:

Questions? Comments? Ideas even? Let me know below…

And…if you like the development so far, a good rating on WordPress.org would be very encouraging.

Support:

Also, if you’d like to support further development of this plugin, or the creation of other optimization plugins…please consider a donation! It would be much appreciated!

“You got your head in the clouds and you’re not at all what you seem”…

I had the pleasure of attending a very special do on London’s Southbank on Friday for Microsoft’s UK division, with the aim of exploring their longstanding, yet seemingly under-appreciated SkyDrive service. Joining a group of tech-focused bloggers for a breakfast briefing at the Marriott County Hall (below), we delved into the ins-and-outs of all things SkyDrive and prepared for a head-to-head competition – using it to seek, capture and share the City’s landmarks with speed and style.

Just another cloud-storage product? I had thought so. And by seemingly general consensus, so had the group! What we discovered however, was a feature-rich photo-sharing service (complete with quick shoot-and-upload apps for both iPhone and Windows Phone) that makes it easy to save and share individual shots – or even entire galleries (below) – with your friends, family or the world…yes, even those NOT on Facebook.

There’s no need for a Hotmail account (major plus!), you just need to get yourself a Windows Passport/Live ID (which can be linked to any of your existing addresses) and you’re in.

Far from being a static storage device, SkyDrive incorporates Microsoft’s Web Apps, which pack some remarkable features for collaborative editing of workplace Office docs. Word appeared smooth upon demonstration, with clever tools such as the ability to assign certain paragraphs of text to individual people for editing, and a lock-down/notification system that prevents accidental cross-editing and informs the group of rewrites in-progress and completed revisions.

Personally, I struggled using Web Apps to create a PowerPoint presentation for the day’s second challenge, but would highly recommend the service’s photo-sharing feature, which with its gallery lightboxes and simple sharing options (send to any email / post to Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn / get a link for Twitter etc.), plus permission toggling (can edit/must sign in), appears well polished and would make management of larger online photo collections in particular much easier to juggle.

Post briefing, we took our newfound knowledge and put it to the test, with a shoot-out in a private capsule on the London Eye! One lucky winner would take home 2 x Nokia Lumia 800s with Window Phone. Juggling bubbly and photography, we sought out, captured, and tweeted like mad, hoping followers might be able to not only recognize our landmarks, but tell us where they were shot. Yes, that’s what all those random tweets were about Friday…and knowing that followers of MTN are largely US-based (and prolly not even awake yet), I mostly forgive you for not responding.

Next up…battle two. Armed with PowerPoint, we all had 30 mins to create presentations of our experience – vying for a brand new Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook. Utterly surprised by the quality of my fellow bloggers’ slideshows, and personally thwarted by the aforementioned technical problems, I conceded defeat. Again. So yeah, no giveaway prizes I’m afraid.

Finishing up with a spot of fine dining, fantastic views and great conversation at the top of the Oxo Tower, the sun had set and it was time for us to part…until next time!

A special thanks to Ian Moulster from Microsoft UK, Andrew and Emily from 3 Monkeys and all the amazing bloggers that made it such an enjoyable day. And thanks to our pro-photographer, we even have pics of the action. Enjoy…

We’ve seen the Wheeled Flatbed Cart and the Heavy Duty Foldaway Cart to help heave-ho heavy plants around the garden, but if there are stairs involved, best roll-in the Potted Plant Hand Truck.

Specially designed to easily transport potted plants weighing up to 110 lbs, this wheely wonder features a nose plate that slides under pots, and a height-adjustable two-pronged pot rim clamp – which work in unison to secure planters up to 30″ high x 20″ in diameter.

With tires that’ll easily roll your pot plants across lawns, over driveways and even up stairs, the Potted Plant Hand Truck will literally take your gardening to a new level. Urban agriculture, ftw!

Including a foldaway noseplate and a handle loop, the Potted Plant Hand Truck hangs unobtrusively in your garage or shed and is available now from Hammacher Schlemmer for $79.95. Bloomin’ brilliant!

“What region was that from?” Ah…lemme see *looking for marker dot* You know what? I can’t spot it with all this dark liquor inside. But I assure you, *topping up glasses* I will get to the bottom of it…

The Etched World Globe Liquor Decanter is a unique gift for worldly fellows that truly puts the rich hue of wine, cognac or prized port on display. Helping aerate and open your favorite drop to release hidden flavors and aromas as it turns, the Etched World Globe Liquor Decanter is made of heat-resistant lead-free glass, arrives ready gift boxed and is available from HomeWetBar.com for $49.95.

Portrait. No, landscape. No, portrait. Whichever way you look at it, this gadget called the Powered Rotation iPad Stereo Dock makes switching between news-reading and movie-watching modes as easy as pressing a button. Effortlessly rotating your iPad between portrait and landscape with its motorized rotating arm, this pivoting powerhouse ensures an optimal viewing orientation without having to manhandle your iPad — letting you easily switch between an article on the New York Times and a related video on YouTube with a tap on its included remote control. Including two 5-watt, full-range speakers on either side of the base for rich, clean sound, the Powered Rotation iPad Stereo Dock is available now from Hammacher Schlemmer for $99.95.

Firstly, I trust everyone had a thoroughly satiating Thanksgiving. And secondly…hoot! It’s Black Friday! And you know what that means…SALES! And leftovers.

So, grab yourself some even-better-the-day-after noms and get clicking! For your convenience, here’s a rundown of offerings from some of our favorite stores…

Amazon’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals Page
Amazon’s landing page for their hottest Black Friday Weekend specials. Grab a deal in virtually any category. Ends one week from Monday 28.

Taylor Gifts and Get Organized are promoting a Black Friday TRIPLE sale, where you get 20% off everything + $4.95 shipping + a free gift on purchases over $40 (automatically applied through the links above).

ThinkGeek Black Friday Sale
A bunch of awesome deals including the Star Trek Pizza Cutter [$19.99] and the iCade [$59.99]. One day only though, so you gotta be quick!

Smarthome 10% Off Everything
That’s right. 10% off everything at Smarthome when you use voucher code ESHBF1110 at the checkout. Furthermore, they’re offering 20% off Smarthome brand Insteon products with voucher code ESHBF1120. Both offers end November 28.

SkyMall Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale
Get 20% off (no minimum) with code LSE84
Free Standard shipping (no minimums) with code LSA89
Get $10 off your purchase of $30 or more with code: LSB93
Spend $50 and receive a $25 gift card for your next purchase: use code LSC95

BarnesandNoble Black Friday Sale
Up to 50% Off at B&N! There are big discounts to be had across all their verticals, including offers on the NOOK reader.

And that’s a wrap! Mmm…turkey and stuffing and pita bread oh my (you taste good).

“Captain Mark Darkness. Welcome to FlashlightTimber.” Hmm. Alternate realities may not be as cool as they seem…

Ever feel like you’re surrounded by some personal perception filter? Well, Mr invisible, Captain Jack is here to save the day, and just dying (if he could) to sessify your look and Get. You. Noticed. (watch him with the tape measure though!) Introducing the Captain Jack Harkness Coat…a costume replica of his signature wardrobe piece.

Officially licensed by the BBC and featuring a double-breasted closure, replica RAF brass buttons, an exact replica belt buckle, a back kick pleat and functional pockets inside and out, the Captain Jack Harkness Coat is cool to the core (and super warm for winter) letting you strut through the snow looking quite the man about town time. After all, winter is when everything changes. And you’ve got to be ready!

Available in sizes S through XXL, the Captain Jack Harkness Coat is available now from ThinkGeek for $329.99.

We just got this in over at ShopPeep, and it’s just so damned delicious gorgeous, I had to share. Featuring 700 red LED lights that create a scarlet luminescence, casting a brilliant red glow onto its 1,362 PVC tips, the 7 1/2 Foot Prelit Crimson Tree includes a hidden red-colored power cord, a foot pedal on/off switch and long-life lights that are rated for 25,000 hours of operation. Including a stand so you can easily move it about where you please (indoors or out), the 7 1/2 Foot Prelit Crimson Tree is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $599.95. Someone pass the cranberry sauce. And the black forest cake. What? I’ve been a berry good boy.

“I see you birdy…shaking that tail. Ima pounce you good! Aaany moment now. Yep, any second. Damn, it’s cozy in here. Right, quick…before he gets away! No seriously, is the floor heated or something? Alright…on the count of three. 1…2…you know what, he’ll be back”…

Ever watched your cat napping when it’s chilly? You know, repeatedly trying to curl into an ever-tighter ball, but only succeeding in going round in circles?! I know. Cold with all that fur? Weak! (mee-oww!) But anyways, thanks to this super-duper-dwelling called the Only Heated Outdoor Cat House, kitty don’t have to be a house cat all winter.

Billed as THE ONLY place for cool cats to chill cozy up outdoors, the Only Heated Outdoor Cat House features a removable 20-watt heater inside its soft and luxurious, foam-lined waterproof floor – generating warm radiant heat to help frosty felines get warm and comfy between ‘ventures.

Covered in durable 600-denier nylon backed with waterproof vinyl, and featuring a pitched roof that overhangs all sides to keep kitty dry during showers or snow, the Only Heated Outdoor Cat House includes front and back doors for walk-thru warmth, simply plugs into AC and is available now from Hammacher Schlemmer for $129.95.