[Steven Zahm]

@ Nickolas

First, what are those queries for, there not ones created by Connections or the CSV Import???

re: Since my WordPress is in French, the automapping didn’t recognise my first CSV, the one where I was using the native english column names (Work Adress, instead of Travail Adress)…

re: Is there an easier way to rename the columns so they match the auto-mapping name you have?

If you used the columns names as shown in the CSV File Setup, they’ll automap just fine. I switch my dev WordPress to French and used the column headers suggested in the CSV File Setup section and they automapped as they should.

re: I figured it needed BOTH first AND last name to keep it set as individual, otherwise it would default out to organization…
Yes, this is explained in the instructions in the section CSV File Setup. Here’s what it says:
The import process will automatically attempt to identify the entry type. It does this by checking to see if the CSV text file has first and last name or organization name fields and that they were mapped to the matching Connections fields. For example, if a row in the CSV text file has a first and a last name that row would import as an Individual. Or if a row has only an organization name that row would be imported as an Organization. If the row contains both a first / last name and an organization name the entry would be imported as an Individual. You can explicitly specify the entry type of each row to be imported as by adding an Entry Type column to the CSV text file and setting each row as either individual or organization. In Step 2 you would map the CSV Entry Type column to the Entry Type field.

I downloaded the CSV file you attach and it didn’t have headers at all so I was not able to test it to see if I could duplicate the issue. Can I have a copy of the full CSV file? I’d like to see if I can duplicate the issues you have explained.

[Steven Zahm]

@ josh901

re: Thanks for the detailed response. Are you familiar with http://mapbox.com? seems like this open source ecosystem could be a useful resource.

Yes, I looked at them and Leaflet. Basically Mapbox is built on top of Leaflet, at least that is my understanding…

I’m presently working on a server side PHP geocoding API for Connections largely based on Geocoder. A good portion of it has to be redone so it is compatible with PHP 5.2 (it requires at least PHP 5.4 presently) and some of it can be simplified using core WP functions. Why work on this?

Right now when an address as added to an entry, it is geocoded automatically. This is basically “hard coded” to use the Google Maps API. This new API for Connections will be multi-provider enabled. So in the future I can create an extension (planned to be free) to allow the user to chose the geocoding provider. This will be needed as users put Connections on sites powering larger and larger databases. Only commercial geocoders service provider will be able to accommodate the larger number of geocode requests. For example, Google Maps maxes out at 2500 per 24hr period anything after that, requests are denied until the request drops under 2500. So if you need more, You need their Business level. This new API will allow that and is easily extensible to add support for any provider.

Wile working on this, what I can tell you is the the OpenStreetMap provider is slow and provides results less accurate than Google and Bing. Not to mention that their API results are … how to put it… not as refined (in my opinion). Leaflet uses OpenStreetMap as it geocoding and map tile provider which likely means it’d be slower. Also, the autocomplete that I have now in the prototype is completely out of the question as OpenStreetMap does not support it.

Since I want fast and autocomplete … that pretty much excludes the use of Leaflet or Mapbox.

[Steven Zahm]

re: Colin

Yes, that could be done, but before we discuss that … just in case this is an option. Both the bio and notes fields support shortcodes. This include the WordPress shortcode to embed a video. This works quite well, see the cMap template page. Click the “Show Notes” link, you’ll see two videos. The link could be renamed to Show Video of whatever is applicable.

[Steven Zahm]

@ Alyssa

yes, you can use the plugin on multiple pages using different shortcode options to show different results. Hope that helps!

[Steven Zahm]

@ Sam

If bumping the memory did not do it, then I’ll need a temp admin account and FTP access to debug the cause. Quite a bit more often than not, Connections is not the cause, but I’ll take a look if you give me the access. The login details can be sent via the contact link at the bottom of the page. Please paste a link to this forum thread so I can relate the two. Thanks!

[Steven Zahm]

re: Douglas

No, this is not fatal and Link works just fine. Right in the error it says it is a notice. The WP_DEBUG is set to false by default, but as explained in the blog post I shared the link to states… “However, the problem is that sometimes the above does not work. That can happen most times on shared hosts that force displaying PHP warnings and notices.”

The post then goes on to supply the instructions on what to add to the wp-config.php file settings that should force the removal of PHP notices.

Like I said, it is best practice on a production server to have these notices suppressed.

[Steven Zahm]

@ Michael

Just got your email, I had a few support issues that took up a quite a bit of my time. These ended up not being a Connections issues and nor were they caused by Connections, any way…

My apologies! I must not have receive my notice that you replied.

When 8.2 is released, I’ll be releasing a new extension, Custom Category Order. More can be read about it here:
http://connections-pro.com/2015/02/05/custom-category-ordering/

Not exactly Custom Entry Ordering but I thought I’d mention it as it sounds like it might be something you would want.

When will 8.2 be released? Actually, besides a few minor bug fixes it is finished. I’m just waiting on feedback/testing results from the user who sponsored it.

I do plan on adding a “sticky”/featured entry status as well as featured within selected categories status. After I have that implemented, I will be creating an extension to allow custom entry ordering. Actually, I already have one that was just recently created for another user to meet their specific requirements. Although it will continue to function just fine into the foreseeable future, the way it is implemented is not the way I want to release an extension for sale. Timeline for this … uncertain, but high priority. It was actually slated for 8.2 but it got bumped.

I’ve already started major development work on 8.3, which is also being sponsored. You can read more here:
http://connections-pro.com/support/topic/map-view/#post-319981

Timeline for this release is mid March, latest. I am on a deadline.

I mention this release because a chunk of the work that I’m doing for 8.3 can be directly utilized for this. Specifically the JSON-LD response for AJAX requests of entry data. Most of everything else I said would still need to be completed.

If you’re interested in sponsoring this enhancement on behalf of your client a very rough ballpark fee is several hundred. We would need to have more specific discussion around scope of work to nail down an exact number. What you would get is the core enhancements required for datatables and a template that would utilize it and support for it. Obviously even at that price, that would not cover cost of development. I would recoup costs, over time, I hope, from reselling the template.

Now, if you’re still interested and I hope your are. You can lock this in for 8.4, but as you see we’re looking at probably a end of March, very early April time frame, at the latest. I’ve found I need at least 2–3 weeks to make such large changes and make the required extensions/templates. Obviously you would get advanced copies to make sure we’re on the right track during course of development and you would in turn have something to show your client.

Hope to hear back!

[Steven Zahm]

@ Terri

Sorry, yes I did receive this. I had a few support issues that were time sucks that were not even the fault of or related to Connections even though it affected Connections. Now I’m a bit behind in getting responses completed. I’ll respond to your email next.

[Steven Zahm]

@ Christian

Sorry, no, this is not possible … to “inject” Connections links into the “Insert/Edit Link” link modal window.

[Steven Zahm]

@ Susie

Yes, I saw, I just replied to you in that forum thread. Sorry for the delay! I had a few support issues that took up a lot of my time … and the source of these issues were not even Connections related of the fault of Connections.

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