WordPress 5.4 RC3

The third release candidate for WordPress 5.4 is now available!

WordPress 5.4 is currently scheduled to be released on March 31 2020, and we need your help to get there—if you haven’t tried 5.4 yet, now is the time!

There are two ways to test the WordPress 5.4 release candidate:

For details about what to expect in WordPress 5.4, please see the first release candidate post.

RC3 addresses improvements to the new About page and 8 fixes for the following bugs and regressions:

Plugin and Theme Developers

Please test your plugins and themes against WordPress 5.4 and update the Tested up to version in the readme to 5.4. If you find compatibility problems, please be sure to post to the support forums so we can figure those out before the final release.

The WordPress 5.4 Field Guide has also been published, which details the major changes.

How to Help

Do you speak a language other than English? Help us translate WordPress into more than 100 languages!

If you think you’ve found a bug, you can post to the Alpha/Beta area in the support forums. We’d love to hear from you! If you’re comfortable writing a reproducible bug report, file one on WordPress Trac, where you can also find a list of known bugs.

Community News: Latest PECL Releases (03.17.2020)

Latest PECL Releases:

  • yaf 3.1.2
    - Fixed bug (Yaf detecting base_uri failed)

  • zip 1.18.0
    - add ZipArchive::FL_RECOMPRESS, FL_ENCRYPTED, FL_OVERWRITE, FL_LOCAL, FL_CENTRAL constants - add optional "flags" parameter to ZipArchive::addEmptyDir, addFile and addFromString methods - add "flags" options to ZipArchive::addGlob and addPattern methods, keeping previous behavior having FL_OVERWRITE by default - add ZipArchive::replaceFile() method - add lastId property to ZipArchive - make status, statusSys properties and ZipArchive::getStatusString() method available after archive is closed - Fixed bug #72374 remove_path option strips first char of filename - Fixed bug #50678 files extracted lost their original modified time
  • yar 2.1.1
    - Fixed building with Msgpack
  • yar 2.1.0
    - YAR_OPT_PERSISTENT now make connection PHP request lifecycle - Added YAR_OPT_RESOLVE - Removed yar.allow_persistent - Fixed issue #148 (memory leak in callback) - Fixed issue #149 (malformed hostname was passed)
  • yaf 3.1.1
    - Fixed memrchr missed in windows
  • yaf 3.1.0
    - Refactor Yaf_Loader for performance - Refactor lots of codes to avoiding memory allocation - Yaf_Loader::getNameSpaces() now return array instead of comma separated string - Yaf_Route_Rewrite now process multiple repeated bach slashes as one - Removed --enable-yaf-debug, now yaf allows user to moditify variables in $_POST etc - Fixed bug while stripping base_uri
  • xdebug 2.9.3
    Fri, Mar 13, 2020 - xdebug 2.9.3

    = Fixed bugs:

    • Fixed issue #1753: Resolved breakpoints use information from wrong files
    • Fixed issue #1758: Xdebug changes error_get_last results inside a try catch
    • Fixed issue #1759: User registered opcode handlers should call ones already set by other extensions
  • rpminfo 0.4.0
    - improve search logic, use index when exists and no search mode - add 'full' parameter to rpmdbsearch - allow 'rpmdbinfo' to search on NEVR (instead of name only) - first "stable" release
  • rpminfo 0.3.1
    - allow search by Pkgid, Hdrid, Installtid with specific input - fix search with various other tags (Version, ...)
  • rpminfo 0.3.0
    - add rpmdbsearch function to search packages using name, installed files, requires, provides...
  • yaconf 1.1.0
    - Refactor Yaconf for performance - Around 40% time reduced according to benchmark
  • mongodb 1.7.4
    ** Bug * [PHPC-1560] - MongoDB compile fails due to missing openssl
  • rpminfo 0.2.3
    - fix gh#2 free allocated iterators to avoid "DB2053 Freeing read locks..." messages
  • rpminfo 0.2.2
    - Fix gh#1 rpmvercmp() incorrect comparison result
  • datadog_trace 0.41.1
    ### Fixed - Fix pecl installs #781 - Fix background sender logging for ZTS #783

Manage Cloud Identity and Access with Teamstack Sponsored

Providing team members with access to your web, mobile and legacy applications can be incredibly cumbersome. With so many logins, it’s easy to lose track of things. And security is always a paramount concern.

Simply put, there’s got to be a better way to manage all of this. Luckily, there is! Teamstack is a cloud identity management platform that provides your workforce with secure, convenient access. It works with 500+ applications, greatly simplifying the entire process.

By automating the ability for employees, contractors and customers to access the apps you use every day, working together becomes a seamless experience.

Let’s take a look at what Teamstack can do for your organization.

Teamstack home page.

Connecting People Securely

Teamstack offers pre-built integrations with your favorite apps, along with Single Sign-On and one-click user provisioning. This enables team members to securely log into the applications they need – and without compromising security.

Just as great, it’s all rolled together in one, easy-to-use package. Here’s what you can expect:

Integration with Top Applications

If it’s vital to your organization, Teamstack likely integrates with it. With a selection of over 500 top applications, you’ll be able to connect with the tools you use to run your business.

Apps such as Google G Suite, Amazon Web Services, GitHub, Slack, Dropbox, Salesforce and Microsoft Office365 are just the tip of the iceberg. See the full list of available integrations to find what you need. Looking for something else? You can easily request your app if it is not supported yet.

Teamstack integration list.

Enterprise-Grade Security

Teamstack uses best-in-class security features to help protect your business. Use the included dashboard to set security policies, like multi-factor authentication and password requirements. You can even target them to your entire organization or just specific users.

Teamstack security features chart.

Cloud Directory

Use the Teamstack Cloud Directory to securely manage all of your users and groups. You can create users within the Cloud Directory or import them from outside sources. Plus, users are synchronized in real-time – so your data will always be up-to-date.

The Cloud Directory offers fine grain control of users. Check out individual user logs and even suspend accounts. Add users to groups and set permissions and authentication policies.

Audit Trail

Teamstack’s Audit Trail is designed to help you stay on top of what your users are doing. Find out when they’ve logged in, requested credentials and logged out. In addition, you’ll also find each user’s IP address, location and browser information. This will help you spot malicious login attempts and tighten security.

Teamstack audit trail screen.

One-Click Provisioning

Take the pain out of onboarding (or offboarding) users with Teamstack’s one-click provisioning. A single click can add or remove users from all of your applications. This reduces risk and increases efficiency. And, by adding users to an existing group, they’ll automatically gain the necessary permissions to access what they need.

Teamstack provisioning screen.

Single Sign-On

Both users and your IT department will love Teamstack’s Single Sign-On capabilities. Users can enter their credentials once and access all of their apps via the Teamstack Application Dashboard or the handy browser extension.

Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a simple way to increase account security. Teamstack supports a number of popular methods, including WebAuthn (FIDO2), TOTP (Google Authenticator), SMS Codes and more.

What’s more, you can set policies on a per-user or app basis – protecting your most sensitive data. In addition, use context-based denials to deny access from high-risk locations or IP addresses.

SAML Applications

Passwords? They’re a thing of the past with SAML. These applications work by transferring a user’s identity from Teamstack to the service provider. This offers the ultimate convenience for users, while still remaining secure.

Browser Extension for Form Based Applications

For apps that do require passwords, the Teamstack browser extension can work wonders. Users can move between applications as Teamstack enters account credentials for them. Most major browsers are supported, including Google Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge.

Teamstack browser extension screen.

Take Control of Identity Management for Free

Want to avoid the headaches of managing users across all of your company’s applications? Teamstack can help you streamline the process. It’s fast, easy and secure.

Teamstack platform statistics.

Special Offer for Speckyboy Readers

Take advantage of a special offer just for Speckyboy readers! You’ll get 6 months of Teamstack’s Basic Plan, including all add-ons (Audit Trail, Full MFA, Security Policies and more) for FREE.

Sign up using coupon code speckyboy to get started.

Teamstack pricing table.

The post Manage Cloud Identity and Access with Teamstack <span class="sponsored_text">Sponsored</span> appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Laravel Automatic CRUD

Package:
Summary:
Generate a CRUD interface for Web and API requests
Groups:
Author:
Description:
This package can generate a CRUD interface for Web and API requests...

Read more at https://www.phpclasses.org/package/11572-PHP-Generate-a-CRUD-interface-for-Web-and-API-requests.html#2020-03-15-21:23:25

The 5 Types of Projects NOT to Include in Your Portfolio

When it comes to designer portfolios, bigger is not necessarily better. While it’s tempting to list each and every project you’ve ever done, it may actually be counterproductive. That is, if you’re using your portfolio as a means to generate new business.

Portfolios can be a terrific sales tool. A good one can show potential clients that you have the talent and experience to get the job done.

It also provides a way to target the kinds of projects you want to work on. That’s why it’s important to carefully consider what should be included and what to leave out.

Today, we’ll reveal the five types of projects that are probably better off in your virtual scrap heap.

Old Projects with Dated Looks

Maybe this one is a bit on the nose. But that doesn’t stop web designers from listing outdated projects in their portfolios.

Over the years, the expectations for what a website should look like have changed quite a bit. And since the web itself has been in the mainstream for nearly three decades, there are a lot of old sites out there. If you’ve been in the industry for a while, it’s easy to rack up a number of projects that are well past their prime.

True, older projects may show your evolution as a designer. But not everyone is going to see it that way. So, unless a website features some breakthrough with functionality – kick those oldies to the curb.

A typewriter on a desk.

Projects You Had a Small or No Role in Creating

There are occasions where you might have been hired on to play a bit part in a project. Or maybe you’re hosting a website that someone else built. This is fairly common in the freelance space.

Of course, there may be reasons to mention something like this. It could be a famous brand or the role you served was crucial. In those cases, it wouldn’t be inappropriate to include – although it might require a clear explanation of exactly what you did.

Otherwise, how does listing this type of project benefit your business? It’s especially useless for those who market themselves as an outstanding designer or developer.

If you didn’t play a significant role in the design or write some killer code, then it’s not your handywork. This can leave a false impression on visitors and, if the site isn’t so attractive, could make you look bad.

A small toy airplane.

Projects Outside of Your Niche

Just about every web designer has gone through a phase where they’ve taken on projects that weren’t within their specialty. That’s O.K., as we all have to make a living. And besides, it can be fun to dabble in other types of websites.

But if a project is way outside of your niche, it should probably not make its way into your portfolio.

For example, let’s say that your specialty is in building WordPress websites. And there was this one time that you used a different CMS. The experience was fine, but you’d rather not utilize it again. Do you really want to promote this outlier of a project?

The same can be said of sites that don’t fit into your ideal project type. Maybe you hate building eCommerce sites and have decided not to do them anymore. Listing any you’ve done in the past can send the message that you’re looking to build more of them.

A dartboard.

Projects That Fall Below Your Ideal Price Point

This may well go hand-in-hand with your preferred niche, as mentioned above. If a project falls well below your typical pricing, you may not want to showcase it.

Not to say that small or low-cost projects can’t be beneficial. They are often a great way for new designers to gain experience. And if you’re looking to attract these smaller gigs, that’s great.

But if you’ve moved on to bigger and better things, it’s important that your portfolio reflect that fact. You don’t want to give prospective clients with really tiny budgets the wrong idea. Eschewing the small stuff will hopefully save you both from wasting time.

A person holding coins.

Projects That Ended Badly

Breakups are never easy. And a bad breakup with a client can be especially difficult. Instances where trust has been lost or communication is lacking can spoil what might have been (at one point, at least) a solid working relationship.

What’s worse is that you may be really proud of the work you did for them. Yet, keeping this one in your portfolio is akin to displaying a testimonial from someone who now loathes you.

Not to mention that this situation means a site could drastically change without prior notice. Since your ex is likely to move on to a new designer, you never know when a redesign will pop up.

Thus, much like we burn old love letters, we need to distance ourselves from a messy situation.

The word "OUT" painted on a road.

A Portfolio Should Send the Right Message

One of the common themes here is in using your portfolio to send the right message. Build it to show off your skills – sure. But also keep in mind what each project communicates to those who are viewing it.

When you aren’t picky about the projects you share with the world, it can create the wrong impression. It may say that you’ll take on cheap websites or ones that don’t reflect your niche. They could lead others to think your design work is outdated.

This isn’t to suggest that there can’t be exceptions to the rule. If something about a particular website truly stands out, then that could outweigh age, category or price point. But those are likely few and far between.

It’s also worth noting that things change over time. Your business has likely evolved. And that formerly-new project will age out over time. Therefore, take a periodic look at your portfolio and make sure it mirrors who you are today – not who you were five years ago.

The post The 5 Types of Projects NOT to Include in Your Portfolio appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

How to Handle Indescribable Uniqueness in Design

Quick, how many flavors are there in food? You’ve probably heard that there are four: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. But what would you say if I told you that someone had discovered a fifth basic flavor not too long ago?

In 1908, Japanese scientist Dr. Kikunae Ikeda did just that, when he managed to isolate the exact component that makes up the flavor of umami, or, as it’s commonly known in the West: savoriness.

What is umami? Well, um… that’s a tricky question. It’s a totally unique flavor experience, unlike any of the other four basic flavors. Parmesan cheese is loaded with umami, as is Asian fish sauce, aged beef, and perfectly ripened tomatoes.

Since umami is so unique and was discovered so recently, most people have a hard time describing exactly what it is. That weird, indescribable uniqueness is what I’m going to talk about today – how to handle it when it comes up in design, and whether or not it’s necessarily a good thing.

Too Unique For Its Own Good

We all think we want to come up with that totally unique idea, one that no other designer has ever thought of before or that no one would be able to easily copy or steal.

But is that really what we want as designers? Is it even something we should want?

Most of the time, when people talk about ‘innovation’ in the design industry, what they’re really talking about is improving on an idea that already exists.

Don’t get me wrong, that definitely takes skill and creativity. But it usually isn’t a genuinely unique, original idea you’re striving for. It’s mostly a combination of what you’ve already seen before, and what you’re influenced by. Why? Because it’s easier to work that way.

If we all attempted to come up with the next design equivalent of umami, our brains would short-circuit and we’d never get any work done. It’s just not practical, nor is it commercial, to strive for true uniqueness and originality.

When it happens, as was and continues to be the case with umami, people are at a loss to explain it. It becomes something of a curiosity – a conversation starter at a party, perhaps, or a cautionary tale of woe among other creative professionals.

What is Umami GraphicImage Source: What is Umami?

Anyone who’s been in the industry for any length of time has a story or two about one of their peers who tried to get too creative and found themselves out of a job.

Yes, perhaps they were “ahead of their time.” That’s perfectly valid, but it does you no good when you’re trying to scrape together this month’s rent money.

There’s something to be said about following trends and learning how to reinterpret them.

Making Adjustments

When you stop to think about it, we’ve developed some surprisingly sophisticated methods for adjusting the taste of our food. Our taste buds can detect changes in flavor down to extremely minute quantities. You know, for example, when something is just slightly too salty, too sweet, too sour, or too bitter.

And conversely, you know when something doesn’t quite have enough of any of these flavors. But how do you tell when something is “too umami,” or not “umami enough?”

There are a range of opinions ranging from the mundane (“when you find yourself reaching for the salt shaker”) to the weird (“when your appetite becomes ‘fatigued'” – huh?).

The truth is, since umami is such a newly discovered flavor, we haven’t really come to a consensus on how to tell when it’s too prominent or too lacking in our food.

space rocket vintage toy box

Completely original designs are the same way. Sometimes we can’t tell when something is too original and when it needs to be more relatable, precisely because it’s so original.

Many designers love to rave about their completely obscure discoveries, myself included. In addition to design, I also studied fine art painting in school. I have plenty of abstract personal projects that I absolutely love, but that are completely unmarketable to anyone except other weirdos like me.

Since there aren’t too many of us out there, I’d have a hard time making ends meet by producing projects like that. But sometimes we just don’t have the perspective to know if something is appropriate for our target market.

In that case, I always find it helpful to call in other people from that market.

Sneaking It In

So, does this mean you should throw in the towel on ever being unique or original? Absolutely not.

There are ways you as a designer can “sneak in” some truly creative, original elements into your designs that won’t detract from their marketability, and that won’t leave people feeling like they’re simply getting a rehash of something they’ve already seen before.

This is the ideal you want to strive for as a designer – that perfect balance between what’s new and what’s familiar to your users.

create neon lightbulb dark background

There’s a common trick used in the culinary world by chefs who like to experiment with umami. Asian fish sauce is typically considered to be the ultimate umami flavor.

On its own, it can be rather unpleasant, but when used in small amounts in other dishes, Asian or not, it can add a special burst of umami that diners won’t be able to quite put their finger on, but that they’ll definitely recognize when they taste it.

When you design something that’s an alternate take on a previous idea, and you sneak in your special “fish sauce” of pure originality, you create something that’s completely relatable and marketable to your target audience, but that also has that strange, wonderful element that people won’t be able to describe, but they’ll definitely love.


Just as umami is not an earth-shattering element in the culinary world, complete and total originality isn’t the ultimate holy grail we should be reaching for as designers.

It’s an important element, which can add a lot to the attempt to balance the different “flavors” of marketability, quality, and relevance which are the backbone of design.

The post How to Handle Indescribable Uniqueness in Design appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

5 Magnificent Examples of Websites That Convert Visitors into Customers

Need some inspiration to build a high converting website?

Websites that convert persuade visitors to become customers. These websites drive more revenue, so if you want to increase your site’s revenue, use these examples of websites that convert as inspiration!

We’ll go over what makes for the best converting websites and five examples of websites that convert. For more tips on website conversion, sign up for our newsletter, Revenue Weekly!

What kind of web design converts?

A good converting website has a clean design, makes it easy for people to access information, and creates a clear conversion path that people can follow to ultimately convert.

The best converting websites have these things in common:

Attractive web design

Your website is the first impression your audience gets from your business. The websites that convert take advantage of their web design to pull people in and get them to explore their site.

Attractive web design for high converting websites means:

  • Fast page load: People want information fast, especially since over half of internet traffic is on the go with mobile, so fast page speed is essential to convert.
  • Responsive design: With so many people accessing the Internet via mobile, your site needs a responsive design that encourages Internet users to take the step to convert.
  • Intuitive navigation: Websites that convert make it easy for people to find the information they want.
  • Engaging layout: High converting websites use layouts that make it easy for people to find information on the page. These websites use white space visitors rest-stops for the eyes. They also use web safe fonts and eye-catching images, graphics, and videos.

Clear concept and value propositions

High converting websites tell visitors right off the bat what their company is about and what makes their products and services unique.

The more your visitors know what your company does upfront, the more consumers who visit will feel like they can make informed purchasing decisions.

Websites that convert also identify what sets their business, products, or services apart from competitors.

Noticeable calls-to-action (CTAs)

Visitors convert best when they know what it is that you want them to do. That’s why high converting websites make use of calls-to-action (CTAs).

People will land on a site and say to themselves, “I’ve checked out some pages and read some information. I’m interested, but what do I do now?”

In other words, because there’s no CTA button, interested users won’t know how to take the next step towards conversion.

The best converting websites display their CTA buttons early on and give visitors plenty of opportunities to convert. CTA buttons help guide users to the next step, whether that step is to check out a pricing page or convert. You could set up a page containing several CTA buttons such as:

  • Sign up
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Learn more
  • Get started

By using CTA buttons, you’ll help guide more leads towards conversion.

5 high converting website examples

Let’s jump right into our top five examples of websites that convert!

1. Mint

Mint is an all-in-one financial management app that lets you set budgets, manage bills, and check credit scores.

So, why is Mint an example of a high-converting website?

  • Attractive web design: Their elegant web design brings simplicity to a topic that brings many people anxiety. With fast loading and mobile responsive pages, it’s easy to get information fast. Additionally, plenty of white space and sleek infographics make this site a pleasure to visit.
  • Clear concept and value propositions: Mint lets you know exactly what you’re getting with their app when you first scroll down. They highlight what their app is and what makes it valuable by targeting the top concerns that people have when managing money. The information cards they display showcase how their app solves these concerns and includes call-to-action (CTA) buttons to help visitors learn more and sign up for free.

  • Noticeable CTAs: Mint places valuable and relevant CTA buttons in visible places throughout their site. They have a few different styles of CTA buttons ranging from a blue outline for their “Sign in” button to a solid eye-catching orange for their “Sign up Free” CTA. These buttons contrast nicely with their overall blue-green color scheme.

2. Discord

Discord is an app that targets the gaming and streaming industry. The app provides a free all-in-one voice and texting platform where people can interact.

So, why is Discover one of the examples of websites that convert?

  • Attractive web design: Discord knows their market, and they show it with their fun and quirky web design. Discord’s site has plenty of crisp graphics and engaging animations that charm its audience. With fast page load time, responsiveness, and intuitive navigation, this site checks all the appealing web design boxes.

  • Clear concept and value propositions: Discord knows what excites their community. On their site, they highlight both their free and premium (called Nitro) products, as well as providing unique opportunities for streaming influencers and game developers.
  • Noticeable CTAs: Discord’s landing pages have a sleek design and plenty of white space. Their value propositions and CTA buttons stand out. And check out the entertaining animations on these two landing pages!

3. RealSpace

RealSpace makes amazing 3D renders and animations for architectural companies.

RealSpace fits the bill as an example of websites that convert.

  • Attractive web design: With a beautiful portfolio of 3D rendered images (including the one used as the backdrop of their home page), RealSpace makes use of their clean design to attract customers. In addition, they have an awesome blog and plenty of 3D rendering resources for their customers. Their minimalist layout, in addition to these other elements, helps them create an attractive site.
  • Clear concept and value propositions: Scroll down a bit on RealSpace’s home page, and you’ll find unique points about their services. With “Learn more” CTAs under each service point, it’s easy to find more information about services if users have an interest in them.
  • Noticeable CTAs: With CTA links to their portfolio, services pages, and simple and easy-to-use contact form, RealSpace makes the conversion process quick and easy.

4. Rookwood

Rookwood is a company that makes beautiful pottery and tiles for home use.

This pottery company is one of the best examples of websites that convert because it hits all the important elements for conversion.

  • Attractive web design: Filled with beautiful and eye-catching images of their wares, Rookwood provides a clean and engaging design with their site that includes easy-to-use navigation and white space. Additionally, the muted color scheme brings out the color and appeal of their pottery.
  • Clear concept and value propositions: Rookwood shows off their company’s history and what makes them unique in their About page, outlining their intricate pottery crafting process and even providing information on reserving tours.
  • Noticeable CTAs: Visitors can follow Rookwood’s “Learn More About Us” CTA to their About page, learn more about their artisans with the “Meet the Team” CTA, and explore their products with “Shop Now.” They even provide an easy form for users to fill out for information on services for big projects.

5. Skillshare

Skillshare is an online learning platform with a wide range of classes subscribers can take covering topics such as business, lifestyle, writing, photo/film, and more.

Skillshare is one of the best examples of websites that convert because it hits all the marks.

  • Attractive web design: With a fun video header and a playful, decorative line that draws the eye down the page, Skillshare’s web design highlights how enjoyable learning can be.
  • Clear concept and value propositions: Wander around their site, and you’ll learn that Skillshare promotes learning and creativity sharing among its subscribers. Visitors can explore classes taught by industry icons and experts, and participate in a thriving online inspiration-based community.
  • Noticeable CTAs: With dark blue and white color scheme, Skillshare’s mint green accent color makes their CTAs pop. And with actionable CTA’s like “Browse Classes” and “Get Started With 2 Months Free,” Skillshare knows how to make customers act.

Create high converting websites with WebFX!

Ready to apply inspiration from these five examples of websites that convert? WebFX is here to help with our amazing website conversion design services!

As a full-service web design agency, WebFX has an award-winning team of web designers to help you design a website perfect for converting customers. Check out our awesome web design portfolio to see what we can do for your business.

Need a website quickly? Our RainmakerFX software can help you get a high converting website up and running in 30 days!

Contact us online or call us at 888-601-5359 to speak to one of our web design gurus!

 

The post 5 Magnificent Examples of Websites That Convert Visitors into Customers appeared first on WebFX Blog.

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