wrigs1

I’ve not heard back from caged but I’ve uploaded version 0.8.0 which should fix the problem (if there are permissions probs on the plugin dir then the WP upload folder is used instead).

Note this version requires your server to be using PHP5.3 or greater (most of you). 0.8.0 also fixes compatibility issues with other GeoIP plugins.

Hi Frid,

I’ll release a new version tomorrow in tandem with a new version of the “Category Country Aware” plugin.

I’ve not checked it against the plugin you are using (I’m not paying for it!) – but hopefully the changes will fix your issue.

If you can’t wait for the “official” version, know what you are doing, and are not using the CCA plugin as well: you can download an advance copy from the WP repository https://downloads.www.ads-software.com/plugin/country-caching-extension.0.6.0.zip.

Hi fidha.

I’ve managed to replicate (and fix in test) the white screen. I replicated the problem when the “GeoIP Detection” plugin was installed on my test site. Each plugin is separately including a copy of the 3rd party Maxmind script and this duplication can cause problems.

Before I release the fix: could you let me know what GeoIP plugins you are using – and if feasible I’ll also test it against some of them.

White screen on non admin pages can be “quick fixed” by going to Country Caching settings, unchecking “Enable ZC/QC” and saving. Then clearing QC cache.

https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/country-caching-extension/faq/ explains how to remove the plugin if that doesn’t work – but omits to mention you should afterwards go to QuickCache settings and clear cache.

See this excellent article on how to improve page speed when using Google fonts: https://www.sitepoint.com/improve-page-performance-font-loader/

When your site is browsed by a visitor whose device does not have the Lato and Raleway fonts installed (the majority) the fonts are loaded from Google. This will delay the load of your pages (even as zips these fonts add 1MB to the data that needs to be sent to the users browser + of course 2*2 more response requests).

As stated in the article, Theme speed could be optimized by initially specifying a web-safe font (one that is “built in” to most devices) in CSS and using JS to switch once the Google fonts have downloaded.

I doubt I’ll have time to try it out but I’d be interested in the results if anyone else does.

As developer and user of a country geolocation plugin, I had the same concerns as the first poster. So I’ve developed a plugin extension to QC that may be of use to others reading this post.

The Country Caching Extension plugin for QC (here on www.ads-software.com) uses QC’s published hook for 3rd party extensions. Instead of just page, content will now be cached by page + visitor country.

If you wish, you can limit the countries separately cached:

e.g. If you only serve “different” content to visitors from Canada or Germany, like a widget that serves Amazon.COM adverts by default, but Amazon.CA to Canadians, and Amazon.DE to Germans you can use the extension to tell QC to only create separate cache for CA and DE visitors and use the “standard” cached page for everyone else.

I’ve modified the test2 zip. It now attempts to create the mamaxmind_data folder under wp-content and if this fails to write the Maxmind files to the wp-content/uploads/ folder (a technique used by the geoip_detect plugin).

If you try this, can you let me know whether it creates the wp-content/maxmind_data directory with files, and if not whether it has written GeoIP.dat and GeoIPv6.dat to wp-content/uploads/. Note this is a test only I will need to tidy and add additional code.

Hi Caged,

Thanks for the feedback v.useful you did exactly what i would have done. Without knowing the cause of the prob I was second guessing the issue might be file owner related e.g. if you uploaded a file via your servers control panel it may have a different owner to one uploaded by WP and this can cause probs on writing to files.

“Let me know if i can be of any further assistance” thanks, much appreciated. If you have time:

Can you remember the error reported on “update” after you had manually created the maxmind_data folder – was it basically the same as the error msg you first reported?

What are your directory permissions for:

/sitename/wp-content
/sitename/wp-content/plugins
/sitename/wp-content/plugins/category-country-aware

Do you know what server you are using e.g. Linux/Apache, Microsoft/IIS etc.

Are you running your own dedicated server?

The directory error also indicates it is a permissions and possibly owner issue.

If /sitename/wp-content/ permissions are less restrictive than ANY of the other directories in the path to the “Maxmind” dir you can try Test/Fix 2 https://wptest.means.us.com/publicsource/cca_test2.zip this places the maxmind_data folder directly under wp-content. Follow the instructions as per previous test/fix.

Hi Caged,

Please ignore my previous suggestion (you would need upload a copy of geoip.inc to the new directory).

Instead try this (with your original maxmind directory):

1. download and unzip https://wptest.means.us.com/publicsource/cca_fix.zip

2. deactivate the cca plugin

3. in the plugins/category-country-aware/” folder rename cca_textwidget.php to cca_textwidget.old and FTP/upload the “new” version from the zip

4. in the plugins/category-country-aware/inc/” folder rename update_maxmind.php to update_maxmind.old and FTP/upload the “new” version from the zip

5. activate the plugin

Let me know if this works.

If so I’ll issue a new version of the widget.

Hi Caged,

Is the plugin working apart from being unable to install the latest Maxmind data?

I haven’t been able to replicate the issue but suspect it may be file “owner” related rather than just permissions.

As you are able to set permissions I’m assuming you are able to rename directories etc. To help fix/diagnose, could you please try this:

1. In the “plugins/category-country-aware/” folder you will have a sub-directory named “maxmind”. Temporarily rename this to “maxmind-old”.

2. Then create a new EMPTY directory called “maxmind” set permissions initially to “777”.

3. Under “Settings > Category Country Aware goodies > Countries” uncheck the “Update data files now” check box and save. Then recheck the checkbox and save.

Let me know if it reports successful update.

Other info to help diagnose: Could you tell me what permissions you have for the original Maxind directory and the files within it. Mine are 755 and 644.

How did you upload the CCA plugin, via your sites Dashboard->Plugins page, FTP, CPanel’s File Manager?

Thanks for getting back to me.

Retested on one site (a child theme of themeHybrid’s Trending). I can confirm the plugin removes meta tags.

However, even with this plugin activated (and all others deactivated) Securi still reports:

“WordPress Version 3.7 based on: https://example.com/wp-admin/js/common.js”

It can’t be a caching issue – the Tag results from Securi change depending on whether your plugin is on or off.

It could be something to do with my site as I’ve tried this old plugin without success as well: https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/remove-script-stylesheet-versions/

Its not a vital issue from my viewpoint, so no worries if you can’t think of anything else.

Thanks again for the response

Without a link impossible to say. One possibility – do you have toolbars (e.g. Ask or Avira) installed in Chrome?

As the toolbar forms “part of the page” they insert their own CSS which messes up your layout. This was happening with one of the WP themes I was using – see my Avira forum post

Millions of users have toolbars installed on Chrome and I ended up having to alter the CSS

You are probably best off posting your qn on Themehybrid’s site

HTH

@shirazdrum
I have no problems with comments on whether or not the embeddable dashboard is good enough to be used.

I do I object to you:

1. blithely dismissing software development using up to date, quality, free data from sources like US & UK Gov.

• Governments believe developers add value and encourage us – my work is linked to by UK Gov and been tweeted by the FO.
  e.g. i. using official data, my embassy locator includes a map and email address, the official FO site does not. I was involved in initial evaluation of their data, they were also delighted with my Travel Advice widget – it results in more people reading official FO travel advice.
• eg ii. I could have included a 3rd party currency convertor (some commission earning). I wanted a wider range of currencies for visitors. I used “free” data to develop a new convertor that includes currencies like Moldovan Lei – you won’t find it on Travelex! I developed it because I take pride in my work. It’s not obvious, so won’t benefit my site, took my time, uses my server for processing, and has lost me a commission earner.
• Your profile goes to a web developer site – I don’t dismiss your work because you’ve used free jquery/moo tools, nor question the method you use to obtain income for your work.

2. implying I am only interested in a quick affiliate marketing buck.

• my websites don’t cover costs. I’ve not abandoned them, I run them for the pleasure of research & a sense of providing something useful. Long term I hope they will generate a positive income – anything wrong in that?
• the commission earners on the dashboard are useful for visitors e.g. being able to compare flight prices from nearly 700 airlines and sites; the small commission does not affect the price paid. I spend ages researching best customer value (see my review and test of Hostel Booking sites on inblighty.com) and despite offers of large commission only market products that are best value.
  – the dashboards flight comparison includes non commission paying budget airlines that other comparison engines don’t – result plenty of budget airline bookings and nil commission in about 18 months!
• I’m hopingmy honesty (not helped by your comments) will build trust in my brand so volume will eventually outweigh lower commission. If you see my site you will see I am open about affiliations, and explain why I have chosen particular products.

3. implying I am being sly and insulting peoples intelligence – how???

• All I have asked is whether there is any mileage in me working on the dashboard (that said you have made me pretty determined to do it).
• I am not forcing anyone to take it, or charging. I give people more credit than you. I am sure site owners are capable of making their own judgement whether or not the Dashboard will be mutually beneficial. My cousin runs a Ski/Outdoors shop, he wants to add my dashboard because he thinks it will be really useful for his customers, it doesn’t conflict with his products, and will encourage revisits to his site!!!
• There are plenty of “free” widgets and tools that include income generation, google search widget anyone?