It is often desired to have a final version of the project on the production server for testing purposes, but so that nobody other than site administrators could see things. Also, once in a while, one needs to have a “Site under maintenance” page, even if for just a little while.

There are, of course, many ways to achieve the desired effect (e.g.: using a custom theme or an index.html preceding index.php). But probably the easiest and the most “proper” is by using Maintenance Mode Plugin. It provides a number of options to customize the displayed message, as well give visitors a hint of when it is better to come back. But what is more important, it allows logged in Administrators to see and use the web site like usual – invaluable for testing, as well demonstrations of a ready project to the client.

(With this post I’m starting a new category – WordPress Tips. It should carry small posts which make a life of WordPress hacker easier. If you have a tip, please let me know. )

While developing WordPress sites one often needs some test data. Sample blog posts, pages, comments, and thinks like that. When done manually, one often uses “this is a test” or “blah blah” sort of things. These are often too short, and longer version take too much time produce. There is a better way. It’s called “Lorem Ipsum“.

There are several tools online which generate Lorem Ipsum texts for you. However I found that Dummy Lipsum Firefox extension works best for me. Install it, restart your Firefox, right click over any text area, and select “Insert Dummy Lipsum“. Here is a sample of what you’ll get.

Aenean et risus eu purus porta aliquam. Proin rhoncus ornare elit. Donec leo dolor, posuere quis, mattis sit amet, pharetra id, pede. Proin nonummy vulputate augue. Cras mollis pretium pede. Sed consectetuer eros feugiat velit. Pellentesque elit. Curabitur nec dolor mattis sapien imperdiet mattis. Nam interdum ipsum. Sed tortor lacus, feugiat non, sollicitudin quis, interdum vel, purus. Proin ultrices ligula vel augue. Proin augue arcu, accumsan porta, fermentum sed, aliquam vitae, magna. Donec mauris metus, blandit a, egestas vitae, feugiat quis, risus.