I love plugins… but only when they work.

Once again I am on the prowl for a WordPress plugin that will integrate my Flickr gallery with my blog. None of them are simply plug and play. SimpleFlickr comes closest, but the problem with that plugin is that it doesn’t configure nicely and sometimes it just doesn’t load.

FAlbum is the WORST plugin. It’s a freakin’ nightmare! Everytime a new version comes out, I try it and it never fails; if it doesn’t break my theme, it breaks my WordPress. Add to that, since it came out with version 1.5 of WordPress, the installation instructions and its wiki have been a joke. The instructions assume you know how to set things up. The instructions make it sound like all you have to do is install, activate, tell Flickr to let FAlbum grab your images and voila! you have your gallery.

Uh. No.

You have to allow FAlbum to rewrite your .htaccess file. That’s bad. Allowing a plugin to write to this particular file is just inviting trouble. If a plugin tells you to allow it BACKUP YOUR .htaccess FIRST!!!

So FAlbum sucks pumice. Let’s forget about it.

I found a new plugin, which, as usual, is not working. However, the developer right up front about how this plugin is in Beta. So, I can deal with that. I just have to be patient and wait for answers to my questions on why it doesn’t like my Flickr RSS feed.

Now there’s something. Have you ever SEEN a Flickr RSS feed? This is mine:

There seemed to be an error in the execution of the URL provided; please select another one and try again. If problem presists, please submit a bug.

http://api.flickr.com/services/feeds/

photos_public.gne?id=88447948@N00&lang=en-us&format=rss_200

I broke it so it doesn’t twang my layout, but look at that! Does that look like a trustworthy feed to you? That looks like something the CIA put together.

Well, that’s it for my plugin hunt today. Time to focus on the last day of 2007. I don’t celebrate the New Year. I don’t watch parades, or fireworks, or go anyplace. It’s no big deal. However, I know there are a few of you out there who go all nuts for it; after all, it’s a great excuse for all those last second indulgences. Right.

So, you all have a great New Year’s Eve and I sincerely hope 2008 is a fantastic year for everyone!!!