Open Eyes

Here is my latest editorial for the May 2014 issue of php[architect] magazine:

php[architect] - May 2014Open Eyes

There are so many ways out there for us to make a difference in the lives of others. As technology pervades every aspect of life, our power as developers grows. We must use this power for good! Yeah, alright, I do a “good” job on projects. I make “good” decisions when it comes to security. I am “good” when I talk to non-technical users. That’s enough, right? Not even close. To truly be using your power for good, you must open your eyes to everyone around you, not just the loudest complainers or the most dangerous threats. You must be willing to put your words into action and work within the system that helps you stay employed (and fed). Continue reading “Open Eyes”

Fixing the “-2” in WordPress Category Slugs

I was asked to look at a WordPress site that needed help with their pretty URLs. Most of them worked just fine, but a few of the categories had “-2” at the end of them, and they wanted that removed. The “-2” normally signifies that it’s a duplicate, but they did not have any duplicate categories. So what was causing the “-2”?  Continue reading “Fixing the “-2” in WordPress Category Slugs”

Hate to Love Them, Love to Hate Them

Here is my latest editorial for the April 2014 issue of php[architect] magazine:

php[architect] - April 2014

Hate to Love Them, Love to Hate Them

PHP used to be a small, inconsequential thing – a fad that would pass with time. Though some do still try, it’s not possible to say that now. PHP has come into its own, and like any large-scale entity, a set of leaders has emerged. This is not to say that every project isn’t important and useful in its own way. Everything we build has a purpose (even if it’s sometimes just to remind us what not to do). However, some projects have outpaced the others, setting the trends that the rest of us, whether we like it or not, need to follow if PHP is going to have a unified front moving forward. Continue reading “Hate to Love Them, Love to Hate Them”