This is my first attempt at a WordPress Plugin, and I think it came out very well. I have been working on this project for the last week and I am finally ready to release a version of it to the public, and hopefully to the WP Plugin Codex.
This plugin will enable WordPress platform users to display their team stats information from the GameBattles provided XML file for teams. I have coded this plugin so that you may include two items in the sidebar: Recent Matches, and General Stats. I have also coded so that you may include two items on a page: Members Table, Recent Matches Table.
Also you will notice in the options page that there are two options that should be specified. The first option would be the GameBattles XML URL for your team, and the second option is the Directory on your server for which you would like to save the XML Cache file.
The cache file is important as it reduces lag on your site, as well as reducing bandwidth between your site and GameBattles. You wouldn’t want the program to pull the XML feed from a foreign URL every time your page is loaded. This option is not required, but highly recommended. The plugin will function without it.
DOWNLOAD>>> Click here to download this plugin for WordPress.
INSTALLATION
1. Upload `gamebattles` folder to the `/wp-content/plugins/` directory
2. Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress
3. Create a writeable “cache” dir within your “wp-content” folder. This will allow the caching of GameBattle XML Feeds to reduce load & bandwidth.
4. Find out what your GameBattle Stats Feed XML URL is. This is located on your GameBattles team page under the “TOOLS” tab.
5. Configure the plugin from the settings menu, and then clicking on ‘GameBattle Stats’. Configuration will need the GameBattle XML Feed URL, and the full path to the writeable Cache dir.
For instance: /home/username/public_html/domain/wp-content/cache/
6. To show the General Stats in a sidebar insert this wherever you would like the unordered list of stats placed at in the sidebar:
<?php gamebattle_showstats(); ?>
7. To show the Recent Matches in a sidebar insert this wherever you would like the unordered list of matches placed at in the sidebar:
<?php gamebattle_recentside(); ?>
8. To show the Full Member Listing on a page in your wordpress just enter the following code into a post/page. Remember this is in a <Table> format.
[[gamebattle_membertable]]
9. To show the Full Recent Match listing on a page in your wordpress just enter the following code into a post/page. Remember this is in a <Table> format.
[[gamebattle_recenttable]]
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q:Â Why does it say Stats Offline?
A: Most likely the GameBattles website is offline or you did not setup the plugin correctly. Please verify both of these issues before asking for support.
SUPPORT THE AUTHOR
Donations for buying me beer is greatly appreciated, as it took a lot of Bud Light to create this plugin. If you would like to donate, you may do so via PayPal by clicking on the orange donate button on the right hand sidebar. Thanks!
FEEDBACK
Any and all feedback on this plugin is greatly appreciated. Leave comments below or contact me via the Contact page.