• Skip to main content
  • What We Do
  • Our Work
  • About
  • Contact

Mackey

Lab Notes

October 7, 2014 by Mackey

Get current language code or name using WPML Plugin for WordPress

We needed to output the language code for a form and needed to use a shortcode.  We are using WPML (WordPress Multi Language) plugin and thus have access to Language constants, ie ICL_LANGUAGE_CODE

We needed to not only get the current language of the user, which was easy enough using a template tag, but needed it in shortcode format so that we could use it in widgets, gravity forms, etc.

Basically you set up a shortcode as you would normally in functions.php using ICL_LANGUAGE_CODE.

Here is the final snippet:

// Add Shortcode for Language
function user_lang() {

 // Code
 return ICL_LANGUAGE_CODE;
}
add_shortcode( 'userlang', 'user_lang' );

 

Now use the shortcode within your posts, etc. You can see more about ICL_LANGUAGE_CODE at https://wpml.org/documentation/support/wpml-coding-api/ or check this thread out too if you are looking for language conditionals: https://wpml.org/forums/topic/conditional-language-shortcode/

Filed Under: Code Snippets

September 22, 2014 by Mackey

Disqus Plugin for WordPress injecting script as plain text

We were recently having an issue with a slider on one of our clients sites.  We are using the BX Slider jQuery plugin in conjunction with Custom Post Types.  We created a Custom Post Type for homepage sliders and each image was added using the featured image and classified as a single post.  We then called each of these post types into the homepage (ie get_posts) and displaying them in an unordered list.  Problem we found was that the Disqus plugin was injecting scripts into the generated BX Slider code, even though comments were turned off for the custom post types.

Anyway, the fix was pretty simple and straightforward.

From the WordPress Dashboard click on Plugins then find Disqus Plugin and click on Settings.  Toward the bottom of the Settings page find “Patches” and check next to Template Conflicts; “Output Javascript in Footer” — bam fixed!

Disqus_‹_—_WordPress

Filed Under: Uncategorized

September 15, 2014 by Mackey

Launching LA HI-TECH

Last week we helped launch a new program called LA HI-TECH which helps link students with careers in ICT careers in the Los Angeles area.  Pretty cool deal if you ask me.  Anyway, when it came down to it we had two weeks to help brand, develop collateral and launch a new website for their first press conference — an all out blitz.  All came together smoothly thanks to good teamwork between all involved and special shout out to Valerie, Salomon and Rochelle from Pasadena City College.  Below are some of the fruits of our labor.

http___lahitech.org_
Website — https://lahitech.org
Screens — set of 5
Screens — set of 5
lahitechemail
Email Blast via MailChimp – HTML
lahitechprog
Event Listing
20140905_101338_Richtone(HDR)
USB Drive Bracelets

Filed Under: Design, News, Projects, Work Tagged With: Banners, Branding, LA HI-TECH, Los Angeles, Marketing, Pasadena, Pasadena City College, Web Design

September 2, 2014 by Mackey

Tools of the Trade — Web Design and Development Agency Tools

I think, especially with technology, it is interesting the tools that we use to help get the job done.  There are tools that we use just for project management and business management and there are tools we use for development and design.  It’s always interesting to compile a list of the tools we use as it is ever changing.  One year a certain product is killing it, then the next another company comes around and does it even better.

So here is a compiled list of the tools we use to help us design and develop.

  1. Google Apps
    We’ll start with Google Apps because it really is our communication hub. From Gmail to Google Drive to Google Calendar, we use them all. The most value we get out of Google Apps is Gmail and Drive.  Gmail has been a great email client as long as we’ve used it and it makes it very simple for us to share and maintain communication.  Drive has been our Microsoft Office — we don’t even own a copy of Microsoft Office anymore, haven’t for years.
  2. Freshbooks
    For a small business or sole proprietor this has been the way to go for accounting, time tracking and invoicing.  Yes there is a monthly fee, but since we started using Freshbooks, the services has more than made up for that fee.
  3. Basecamp
    We used Basecamp a number of years ago for project management then the app just kind of sat stagnant and was not keeping up with our needs. But the new Basecamp is awesome.  We only recently tried using it again and it has been a godsend for maintaining projects and clients.  It really provides a solid structure to work within, but also gives you flexiblity.
  4. Apple
    Much like Google Apps, we wouldn’t be doing any of this if it weren’t for Apple — consistently solid machines.
  5. Adobe Creative Cloud
    In the last year we switched to Adobe Creative Cloud.  All that really means is that you have access to cloud storage and get software updates as they become available.  It can be expensive with a monthly cost of $29+ but well worth having all the tools at our dispense.
  6. Slick Plan
    For more complicated websites, this has been our go to for IA (information architecture).  A clean simple tool that is very easy to navigate and organize layer upon layer of content.
  7. Moqups
    Prior to any development or design we create wireframes.  This tool allows us to create, share and actually have the end user click through the different pages.
  8. Bitbucket
    Bitbucket is a revision control system that we utilize for most web sites.  It makes it easy to have a backup and version control as well as allowing others to collaborate.
  9. MailChimp
    We don’t just use MailChimp for email for our clients, but for Mackey it is our go to.  The interface is intuitive and very easy to use, as well as simple to design and create email campaigns.
  10. Trello
    Trello can be used to basically organize anything.  It is great for ideation and can even be used for project management.  We find it a good tool though primarily for concept and ideation and use Basecamp for the heavy lifting of project management.

Filed Under: Journal

July 10, 2014 by Mackey

FTC – Launched

We recently, like today, went live with a cool little project called Fresh Thread Club (FTC).

FTC is a monthly subscription service for design tees — all custom.

There were as always some caveats, but all in all the project went smoothly implementing the likes of WordPress, Woocommerce and Woocommerce Subscriptions.  Clean and simple, with a little edge.  We also helped out with all graphics, dev and copy.  Oh and we started this baby out with logo and identity — from the ground up.

Check it out and enjoy: https://freshthreadclub.com

Filed Under: Projects, Work

May 27, 2014 by Mackey

Mem. Day Central Coasting

Traveled up to Morro Bay and Los Osos for some R&R.

DSC_0699

DSC_0703

DSC_0708

DSC_0715

DSC_0718

DSC_0720

DSC_0723

DSC_0725

DSC_0730

DSC_0742

 

Filed Under: Photo

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 5
  • Go to page 6
  • Go to page 7
  • Go to page 8
  • Go to page 9
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 11
  • Go to Next Page »
Mackey
Web Design and Development, Branding, Graphic Design and Marketing Strategy
680 East Colorado Blvd., Suite 180 & Second Floor, Pasadena, CA 91101
info@mackeycreativelab.com // 626 214 5093
© 2014-2021 Mackey, LLC, All Rights Reserved