It’s sometime difficult for you to display your special or featured posts on your site, but now it’s made easy and anyone can do it. This smooth wordpress plugin produces a slider of posts or pages.
I must first apologize to Sanjeev and Tejaswini for taking so long to post about thie excellent WordPress Plugin. I say this as I received an email weeks ago asking if I wanted to review their plugins and it has taken me some time to get to them. At least I must complete them one by one, until I have done them all. I have already posted about the cute social profiles that one could place on your site, it has already been downloaded over 4,000 times.
Basic Plugin Description
Smooth Slider is a Wordpress and Wordpress MU Plugin for creating a dynamic slideshow for featured posts on a blog. The slideshow created by Smooth Slider are JavaScript and Text based. That’s why bloggers will get full benefit of Search Engine Optimization as the texts are readable by Search Engines.
- Developers: Tejaswini Deshpande and Sanjeev Mishra
- Authors site: Internet Techies
- WordPress link: Smooth Slider
- Forum link: Smooth Slider Forum
WordPress Plugin - Smooth Slider Example
You can choose some of your posts as featured posts and show them into a slideshow on your blog home page (i.e. Index) as well as in Sidebar.
Installation:
- Copy Folder Smooth Slider from the downloaded and extracted file.
- Paste it in wp-Content/plugins folder on your Wordpress Installation
- Activate the plugin from Dashboard / Plugins window.
- Now Plugin is Activated, Go to the Usage section to see how to use Smooth Slider.
Features:
- Search Engine Optimized Slideshow
- Fully Customizable CSS
- Choose Posts and Pages as Featured Posts/Pages on Single Click
- No Need Of Knowledge of PHP, HTML or CSS
- Easy To Install and Remove Plugin
- Smooth Slider complete uninstall on plugin Delete
- Full Support Available
- and loads more ……
WordPress Plugin - Smooth Slider (Slider Title)
WordPress Plugin - Smooth Slider (Thumbnail Image)
Make sure to check the plugin as it has loads of features. There are +20 features in total and have made things very simple.
Thesis Function
You can download the file below to get the Thesis hook function to display the slider in the feature_box at the top. Go to Design Options >> Feature Box. Placement must be “in your content column” and then select “on home page only”.
Download: Thesis Tutorial - Smooth Slider Plugin in Feature Box Hook (91) 641 bytes
The function is very plain and simple and should just be a copy and paste. Do let me know if you run into any problems.
Improvements/Issues:
Some of the points below might have been addressed already, these are the points that I noted when reviewing the plugin.
- I liked the way we could style the slider, it was a bit funny not seeing an option to left or right align the slider title. That would be a nice feature.
- I selected a post which would only be published a few days later, but the post was featured in the slider. I think they must double check to make sure they only display posts that are published. Fixed in version 2.1.2
- When viewing the the posts/pages added to the slider, it would be nice to be able to sort the entries according to all the columns (Title, Author, Post Date). Added 2 Dec 2009
- Maybe see if you move the check box, it’s a bit time consuming always going to the bottom of post and then back up. It would be nice if you could maybe make a hack whereby the user could do a quick edit (Posts >> Edit) and have a check box also there. Added 2 Dec 2009
New update version is available whereby problems were fixed.
Updates made for version 2.1.2(26/11/2009):
- New – Added an optin to change the transition speed between two slides. Now you can control the speed with which one slide slides off and another slides in.
- New – Added an option to enable the autostepping or autosliding or disable it.
- Fixed – A blank slide appeared on the slider if the post which is in slider is deleted from wp-admin. Fixed the issue, now if the post which is also in slider is deleted, then it will also be removed from the slider, fixing the blank slide issue
- Fixed – The scheduled or draft post placed into the slider will not appear on the actual slider. It will appear only in case when the post is published.
- Fixed – WPMU issue with getsmoothsliderwpmuall that the post permalinks direct to a wrong url, that represents the current blog only, though the posts are pulled from other blogs. This issue is fixed in this version of Smooth Slider.
Thanks for these quick updates and fixes. Just shows you care what others have to say about your plugin.
Final Thought
This plugin is not for everyone. If you would like to spice up your site, then maybe think about using it.
Are you using this plugin or a similar plugin?
What are your experiences with this kind of promotion?
Would love to know what you think, please make sure to leave a comment.
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Author Information
Article by George Serradinho
I am the proud owner of Serradinho and have made this my second home. I'm into blogging, downloads, WordPress and the internet in general. I also love meeting and helping others and learning new techniques.
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I tried changing various slider but finally Im settled using featured content slider.
Ramkumar´s last blog ..Get your site advertised on ByteChip for free
@Ramkumar – I also used Featured Content Slider some time ago, but Smooth Slider seems to be working ok for me now.
Bro.. Your header break when viewed with IE*. Just wanna let you know..
Roseli A. Bakar´s last blog ..EzyBlogger Featured By Local Newspaper – New Straits Times
@Roseli – I had a look with my IE browser and it looks fine, what version are you using?
Somehow it’s fine now George, maybe the page did not load properly earlier
Roseli A. Bakar´s last blog ..EzyBlogger Featured By Local Newspaper – New Straits Times
@Roseli – I made a few changes to the styling to make the images a bit smaller. Thanks for letting me know
It looks cool. I was using Feature Content Galery in my old template. This is very similar to that. I think it is very useful tool to bring old posts back to life.
InternetHow Blog´s last blog ..How Would You Spend $50 More Effectively?
@InternetHow – it’s great to feature posts no matter how old they are. This can help promote your blog better and the effect is awesome.
It is for sure. In my old template, I only had option to display one category on the front page. That meant, if i had a new post in different category, it wouldn’t show on the front page (I know it is crap feature, that is why i am using my current theme now
)
But, thank to this plugin, I managed to show my new posts on the front page as well as old ones.
InternetHow Blog´s last blog ..How Would You Spend $50 More Effectively?
@InternetHow – I like Smooth Slider plugin as you can select which posts you want displayed, no matter what the category. To many categories for me is not cool at all, just my opinion.
Smooth slider plugin is the wonderful plugin developed by Sanjeev and Tejswini. I have not used it on my site but here on your blog,it looks really cool.
Surender Sharma´s last blog ..How To Avoid Computing pain
@Surender – all the styling of the slider is done via the admin settings, they made it real easy for users.
I have seen it being developed by Sanjeev and Tejaswini of Internet Techies(clickonf5.com). Good work indeed!
Tech-Freak Stuff´s last blog ..5 Cool ways to Add graphs to your Website!
@Tech-Freak Stuff – they have a few plugins which are great. I will be reviewing the others as well.
I guess you must have used some hooks to implement it in Thesis? or everything is done via theme panel?
Theme Premium´s last blog ..Installing php.ini in Bluehost Webhosting Server
@Theme Premium – I used the thesis_hook_feature_box hook to display the slider. A simple function whereby I copied the if statement that first checks if the function exists and then displays it.
Conceptually, it’s wonderful. I had problems implementing it on my site though. It just didn’t fit well at all.
As a result, sadly, I’m using a featured post sidebar instead.
Gabe | freebloghelp.com´s last blog ..The 21st century corporate soapbox
@Gabe – I had a look and I think with 2 extra plugins, you could spice it up again. I just think it looks plain and simple and you could do so much better with little work.
I suggest having a look at the following plugins:
1. Post-Plugin Library
2. Popular Posts (you need the top plugin for this one to work)
You will be able to include and exclude categories from the list. There are so many options like I have it with thumbnail, link, views and opinions. I believe you can make it more appealing and attract more attention. I could help you set it up and it should take less than 10 minutes, you can even time me. Let me know, I can help via skype and email.
Hi Gabe,
Please let us know issue you faced in the alignment and placement of Smooth Slider. We may improve that in our next upgrade or may suggest you some changes as per your theme and design.
Sanjeev´s last blog ..Use Photoshop Options in Online Image Editor by Adobe
This pluin looks very cool indeed. I have just downloaded the file and will give it a go. Hopefully it is compatible with my theme. Thanks George for letting us know about this. Will RT
DiTesco´s last blog ..DiTesco’s Weekly Echo #11
@DiTesco – glad you liked it, let me know your experience with the plugin. All feedback welcomed
Cool! I’ve never used feature post plugin for my blog before, I may want to install the plugin in my blog later. Between, bro you have a nice header now!
Cheers,
Lee
Lee Ka Hoong´s last blog ..Make Money Blogging Guide For Beginners
@Lee Ka Hoong – thanks for the words, let me know what your feedback is with the plugin.
Smooth slider plugin is the awesome plugin developed by Sanjeev and Tejswini.
That is really a great plugin, there are so many fans of Wordpress, that is why I love Wordpress too. Using the Wordpress, you don’t need to worry about something you can’t do, because you can do everything with the Wordpress, right?
clarky´s last blog ..The difference of "Link" and "domain".
@clarky – yes, WP makes life easier and all the plugins enhance your site even more.
I read Somewhere That Too Much Plug-in is bad for Wordpress LoadTime.. Is that true?
Chethan´s last blog ..Phishing and Reporting a Phishing Website
@Chethan – yes, to many is not good for your site. Try and keep it low if possible.
I am going to use this plugin in my blog soon , may be from next week . You explained in very easy way.
Ruchi´s last blog ..Favicon Support Added in Google Reader
@Ruchi – glad to be of help, let me know when it’s up so that I can have a look.
It looks good. I want to try this or similar plugin for my site.
John Samuel ´s last blog ..How to create Twitter lists?
Hi George,
First of all thanks a lot for this awesome review of Smooth Slider. I am keeping track of comments from your readers. FYI, we are working on the improvements suggested by you on ‘Scheduled and Published’ post. Next upgrade (probably within a day) will fix that issue and we are also working on adding some cool effects in this slider movement.
Thanks a lot everyone on Serradinho for the compliments. We are glad that you liked the plugin and hope to get more feedbacks/suggestions to make this plugin as much user friendly as we can.
Sanjeev´s last blog ..Complete Guide for .htaccess Redirects
looks like a cool plugin, will give it a try. usually i put featured posts on the sidebar for more exposure, but this featured post display is looking good. thanks for sharing,
Uttoran Sen´s last blog ..Utilize Two OS in a Single PC – Windows 7 with Vista or XP
I noticed this on your main page a little earlier today when I commented on your Thesis post, I think I might have to remove my current Featured posts and go with this instead.
Thank you as always George, love the customizing stuff you post. I know I say it all the time.
Extreme John´s last blog ..25 Wordpress Plugins You Might Dig
Very cool feature but I do not like it colour scheme. Another thing that I am concerned whether this feature can make my blog slower and slower?
Tinh´s last blog ..Blog Subscription Now Available for WordPress.com
@Tinh – some might argue YES, while others say NO. I guess try it out and see what the results are.
Update – We have just released Version 2.1.2 of Smooth Slider where the issue of Scheduled post has been resolved and also added some improvements like control on auto sliding, transition speed etc. You can also use this plugin on Wordpress MU.
@George – You may update the review with this new upgrade of Smooth Slider.
@John @Uttoran @Ruchi and other folks, Thanks for considering Smooth Slider.
Sanjeev´s last blog ..RELEASED: Smooth Slider 2.1.2
@Sanjeev – I have updated the post now with your fixes, thanks for the quick response.
This is really wonderful plugin. I am using at my blog. No problems yet. Works fine.
Jaydip Parikh´s last blog ..Wordpress the Versatile
This is good but the scheduled posts are also coming at same time in featured tab after the post is scheduled.
Pavan Somu´s last blog ..Best Monetizing Plugins For Your Blogs
@Pavan – as far as I know, version 2.1.2 has a few fixes and that it one of them. Just check your version.
Hi George
Before I go and dl this plugin and check it out I just wanted to tell you that when you made that theme change awhile back you had me a little worried because I thought that style was awesome,now after having a good look around all I have to say is You da man
thanks for also supporting my blog I do appreciate it
John Sullivan´s last blog ..Most dangerous city in America
@John Sullivan – thanks a lot, I’m trying new things out and it’s nice to know that you like them. I do get the ocassional email, but I listen to the good and bad.
BTW, glad you are up again. Keep it up as we enjoy the posts.
I have been trying to find the slideshow widget to customize my blog but still failed to find a good one. After reading your article, i would like to give a try! Thanks for sharing!
@Kok Siong Check – let me know how it goes, might help you and your readers will definitely notice it.
Two questions…
1. JavaScript at the very top will slow down the site, no?
2. Have you used it on any blogs?
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Are You Thankful For Your Blogging Community?
Hi! I have tried the smooth slider. However, it doesn’t show up in my blog. May i know how to put it on? Another question. Can it automatically use the image i posted in the content as the thumbnail? If yes, how can i do? Thanks for advice!
Kok Siong Chen´s last blog ..Be Aware of Environmental Exposure – Lung Cancer Risk Factor
@Kok Siong Chen – you need to check the usage details of the plugin, they give you the details to play it manually. Yes, you can set it up to use the first image of post via the plugin settings page.
Let Me check that. I am using Thesis theme and I would like to make a slider like this. Hope this may help.
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Interview with Simon from Teenius
@Senthil – let me know if yo don’t come right, will help where I can.
Hello George,
I just tried using this plugin..Facing few problems..
1st , after installing and filling all proper details, I am not able to see any option on my edit post page of ( add post to smooth slidebar as shown in video tutorial )
2nd ..if i want to add this slidebar at same position like ur blog..what codes need to paste in custom_funtion.php..or as advised by plugin support forum in index.php
Hope to get a quick reply from u.
Ankit @ All About India Blog´s last blog ..Indian players dominate CEAT Cricket Awards 2009
@Ankit – I have sent you an email, have a look as I have attached the function.
1st problem solved.I was nt able to see that option as it was at bottom of my post..
Working on second .
Ankit @ All About India Blog´s last blog ..Indian players dominate CEAT Cricket Awards 2009
@Ankit – I agree that it’s a funny place as you have to go to the bottom when creating/editing a post.
The plugin seems great; however, I can’t seem to get it to work. I added the code to the customfunctions.php, I added the CSS, and I made sure that I positioned the feature box correctly.
Do you know what I did wrong?
@Jake – If you log into your backend and go to Settings >> Smooth Slider, do you see anything there? I’m asking as once you have set the settings then you should be able to see how it will look.
Yea, I can see the slideshow and everything, just not on the frontend of the site.
@Jake – I contacted you via your site. Let me know if my request is possible.
Hi – looking for some help. The plugin installed just fine on my site (I’m using Thesis), however I’m having trouble with images. I have 5 featured posts in the slider but only one of them is displaying an image. I can’t figure out why. Any ideas?
Michelle´s last blog ..Breaking News: Britney Spears Goes Brunette
@Michelle – if you go to the plugin settings, you should be able to see an example of how it will look like. It also depends on the settings you have chosen for the images. I set mine to use the first image from the post and it worked fine.
Forget it – I figured out why it wasn’t working. When it auto crops the thumbnails it needs a proper image to work with – the ones I was giving it were either full body shots or multiple faces so I guess it didn’t know where to crop. Replaced with other posts and working great now!
Do you know how to remove the Smooth Slider link in the bottom right corner?
Michelle´s last blog ..Breaking News: Britney Spears Goes Brunette
I just started with Thesis and Thesis Open Hook plugin. I input the following in the Open Hook Feature Box and this shows on the site
add_action(‘thesis_hook_feature_box’, ’smooth_featured_posts’); } function smooth_featured_posts() { if ( function_exists( ‘get_smooth_slider’ ) ) { get_smooth_slider(); } echo ‘
‘; }
I can’t seem to get slider to work
@kerry – this is not for open hook, will try and help you out. Will let you know when I have a solution.
Awesome tutorial! Set mine up with no problems at all. Thanks for this!
@Amanda – glad to hear that, always nice when you try something and it works like a charm.