Newspack Plugin Update Checker: Keeping Your Plugins Up-to-Date
Keeping plugins up-to-date is crucial for the smooth functioning and security of any website. However, self-hosted Newspack users have faced challenges in updating their plugins, as they are hosted on GitHub. To address this issue, Adam Schweigert, an independent media and technology consultant, has released a plugin called Newspack Plugin Update Checker. This plugin enables self-hosted Newspack users to easily keep their plugins up-to-date.
Newspack is a powerful publishing platform launched in 2019 by WordPress.com, with support from the Google News Initiative, the Knight Foundation, and The Lenfest Institute. It provides local news organizations with a cost-effective solution for sustainable publishing. While more than 200 news sites are on the hosted version of Newspack, organizations also have the option to host their own Newspack installations independently.
Schweigert’s Newspack Plugin Update Checker solves the problem of updating plugins hosted on GitHub. It utilizes a plugin updater library that checks for updates and notifies users when a new version is available. The update notice appears in the dashboard, similar to how WordPress.org displays updates for plugins.
The plugin checks for updates for nine of the most commonly-used Newspack plugins. These include Newspack Plugin, Newspack Ads, Newspack Blocks, Newspack Popups (aka Campaigns), Newspack Listings, Newspack Sponsors, Newspack Media Partners, Newspack RSS Enhancements, and Newspack Supporters.
To ensure the plugin works effectively, Schweigert recommends that the Newspack plugins be in folders named using their respective slugs. While the plugin allows users to enable auto-updates, it is advisable to keep an eye on the Newspack release notes to be prepared for any potentially breaking changes.
The availability of the Newspack Plugin Update Checker is a significant development for self-hosted Newspack users. It simplifies the process of keeping plugins up-to-date and ensures that websites using Newspack can benefit from the latest features and security enhancements.
Steve Burge, author at KinshiPress, recently published an article on the Newspack ecosystem. He believes that Newspack has the potential to revolutionize publishing, similar to how WooCommerce has transformed e-commerce. Burge highlights the demand for an open-source publishing platform that is highly extendable and supported by a successful company and a strong community. He emphasizes that newspapers, magazines, and radio stations already rely on WordPress, and Newspack can provide a more targeted and helpful solution for their specific needs.
While Schweigert’s plugin addresses the immediate need for updating plugins, Burge suggests that putting the Newspack plugins on WordPress.org and improving documentation would further enhance its impact. This would make it easier for users to access and update the plugins while also providing comprehensive resources for troubleshooting and customization.
In conclusion, the Newspack Plugin Update Checker by Adam Schweigert is a valuable tool for self-hosted Newspack users. It simplifies the process of updating plugins hosted on GitHub and ensures that websites using Newspack can stay up-to-date with the latest features and security enhancements. With the potential to revolutionize publishing, Newspack offers a powerful and cost-effective solution for local news organizations. By addressing the challenges of plugin updates, Schweigert’s plugin contributes to the overall success and sustainability of the Newspack ecosystem.
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