Version 3.0.0 Broke my site

Hi, @jimmycrackedcorn.

It looks like the same issue reported here: https://www.ads-software.com/support/topic/site-not-working-citing-simple-social-plugins/

You’d see this error if your host was running an out-of-date version of PHP: https://php.net/eol.php

Asking them to update PHP to a version still receiving security updates (ideally 7.1 or higher) will allow you to use Simple Social Icons 3.0: https://php.net/supported-versions.php

I take it that we do not agree, but I’ll just state my opinion that it is very irresponsible for you to post an update that completely breaks my site. I use automatic plugin updating software across 100 web sites that I maintain and to have a plugin author dismiss this problem as my problem is not the norm.

Should my client update their PHP version? Probably. I’ll suggest it of course.

Should a single plugin update on any of my sites cause that site to silently stop working without any notice at all until someone happens to notice? Definitely not.

Now that you know about this, the responsible thing would be to post a .0.1 version that contains a workaround and allows my out of date PHP version site to continue working. I mean you could put up an uncloseable notice in my dashboard on every page asking me to fix this and telling me how much danger I’m in, but just letting me fail….

• This reply was modified 6 years ago by jimmycrackedcorn.
• This reply was modified 6 years ago by jimmycrackedcorn.

I’m sorry the update broke your site, @jimmycrackedcorn.

You can try this adjusted version of Simple Social Icons 3 if you’d like to run it with an old version of PHP.

https://github.com/studiopress/simple-social-icons/archive/php52.zip

As you suggested yourself, it would be better to update PHP and then upgrade to Simple Social Icons 3.0, though.

The issue would only happen if PHP 5.2 or lower is running on your server. PHP 5.2 has not been supported for over 7 years, is no longer receiving bug fixes and security updates, and should not be in use by any responsible hosting company. The WordPress official requirements also state that PHP 5.2 is not safe for use: https://www.ads-software.com/about/requirements/.