[antonella]

Hi Steve,

Thank you Steve, I hope you won’t mind that I bother you with this, only … I am in a quandary… I would like t install THIS plugin…

https://codecanyon.net/item/content-manager-for-wordpress/7431829?ref=OTWthemes&utm_source=wp.org&utm_medium=admin&utm_content=upgrade&utm_campaign=cml&clickthrough_id=971867966&redirect_back=true

and I can download it from Code Canyon… BUT… I cannot seem to find it in the WordPress Plugins Repository (or at least not under that name) AND apparently it can import other plugins’ shortcodes into its own library, effectively integrating their operation with its own framework, so, it made me wonder whether it imports your actual code? (Is that even legal?)

As I don’t begin to understand how it imports the shortcodes from another application, I can’t work out whether that infringes your Copyrights in any way, – and I wouldn’t want to install it, if it did.

I LOVE what this CMS plugin purports to do, but it’s only any good to me if it a) legal b) plays nicely with Connections.

IF you should happen to know it, may I ask whether you have had any reports of conflicts?

Many thanks Steve, of course there is absolutely no rush to answer, if you get ’round to it great, otherwise please don’t worry.

Ta Ta For Now!

Toni :)

[Steven Zahm]

@ antonella

re: I cannot seem to find it in the WordPress Plugins Repository

Not all plugins are in the repository, there are many “premium”, better defined as “commercial” plugins not in the wp.org. Connections is free and in the repository only because I can make just enough to live on by selling the add ons.

re: so, it made me wonder whether it imports your actual code? (Is that even legal?)

I would venture a guess, no, it does not actually import my code or any other plugins code. Reading over it… it appears all it does is provide a user interface to add third party (ie. Connections) shortcodes to its interface that simply inserts shortcodes into a page.

Is this legal, sure, I see no reason it would not be. The plugin is visual page builder. There are actually quite a few of them for WP, some are built into themes such as Divi.

Here’s a free alternative for example (no endorsement, just the first results in my Google search)

https://wordpress.org/plugins/live-composer-page-builder/

Personally, I do not care for them because they sort of lock your content to them (kind of necessary, really) and add quite a bump in server resources used (which can be mostly negated with a good caching plugin such as WP Rocket), they can also be quirky causing weird little compatibilty issues, but, I definitely see the appeal of such a tool.

Here’s are a few good links discussing visual page builders. I would consider them a good read before your start using one.

• https://pippinsplugins.com/wordpress-page-builder-plugins-critical-review/
• http://www.wpzoom.com/plugins/page-builder-lessons/
• http://chrislema.com/choosing-a-wordpress-drag-and-drop-page-builder/
• https://purposethemes.com/368041/diy-visual-page-builders-wordpress/

hope that helps!

[antonella]

Thank you so much for your time and help Steve,

I was unsure whether they were a “rogue” company, selling WP themes and plugins that WP themselves would not allow on their Repository because they took liberties with other Authors’ code and products.

I am most grateful for your very fulsome reply, and especially the caveat about these products content to their framework… I will read through and decide whether I want to install one.

Meanwhile, I am delighted to say that, with your invaluable help, I think I have the Market and ReMarket sections of the website working as I hoped I could get them to.

Very best regards.

Toni

[antonella]

I have taken the time tread through the very useful articles you kindly included in your reply and, on balance, I have decided not to proceed with installing a Content Management System (aka Page Builders) owing to too many question marks compatibility, loss of content, on disabling and uninstalling most of these these plugins and the danger that they will actually increase the amount of work required to maintain the webiste.

Once again, many thanks for your invaluable advice… way beyond the call of duty!

Best regards, have a great weekend… IF plugin authors have such a luxury! :)

[Steven Zahm]

Many thanks. Glad I was able to give your alittle better insight so you could make a informed decision.

[Author]

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