I’m proud to announce PhotoPressPro 1.2, a major upgrade that adds even more features. Many of you have been waiting very patiently for this, and for that, I am most thankful. I hope it’s worth the wait.

Simple Slideshow Header

Since PhotoPressPro launched, we’ve used the Flashfader plugin to create the header slideshow. It’s a great plugin, but as any Flashfader user probably knows, it comes with quirks; some of which can be particularly bothersome to photographers.

We’ve added a new section to the Control Panel to easily create a header slideshow, eliminating the need for a separate plugin. (Flashfader is still supported, of course.)

As the name suggests, configuration is very simple. You can configure the height of your slideshow, the number of seconds to show each image, the number of seconds to fade between each image, and an option to randomize the images. You can upload as many 984-pixel wide images as you wish, and you can change the sequence of the images.

Why do I need this?

Good question! Honestly, the main idea was to reduce the amount of support issues I’ve received with Flashfader, but there are several side benefits.

The Simple Slideshow is written in Javascript and HTML, and does not use Flash. This is nice for a few reasons.

• The entire header slideshow becomes a link to the home page, making it optional to add an additional link to the header menu.
• Millions of people enjoy using the web on devices that don’t support Flash, but do support Javascript.
• The Simple Slideshow also degrades nicely; if a visitor’s browser does not support Javascript, the first image in the list is displayed.

And keeping to the “Simple” moniker, the images you upload are never resized, cropped, or re-sampled in any way; so photographers, be assured that your image fidelity will remain fully intact.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and Stats

This update adds a new Control Panel section for SEO keywords and description, and a place to enter code provided by your web stats service; allowing you to take even better control of your blog.

“Meta” keywords and description tags are important elements used by search engines to index your blog. Using unique and specific keywords will increase your chances of being found by someone searching for your exact services.

Web stats services such as Google Analytics require some JavaScript code to be added to your site. You can paste the code in the Control Panel, and it will be inserted in the footer, just above the </body> tag.

Bugs Killed

No one likes to admit it, but bugs happen. This update fixes more than a few flubs.

• If using Flashfader, the ability to change the banner height has been restored.
• Added code to remove the WordPress-generated hardcoded CSS for image galleries. Now styled like post images.
• Fixed image uploading problems on some servers, mostly Windows web hosts.
• Fixed problems with some PPP Multi-page Widget options not being recognized.
• Major and minor CSS fixes, mostly for non-post images (galleries, comments, etc), the navigation menu, and the footer. You may find the footer text slightly larger than before; this was actually a bug, so you may need to reduce the size of the footer text in your Control Panel to restore the smaller text.
• Improved styling with Internet Explorer versions 7 and up.
• Added the missing Search button back to the Search widget.

This was the biggest update yet, and I hope it’s the last for a while, aside from the always possible bug patch. I’m working on a new venture that will eventually envelop, and greatly enhance, PhotoPressPro. I shouldn’t say much now; in fact, forget I said anything. Just enter your email and we’ll remind you when the time comes.