[Plugin: Contextual Related Posts] Changes in code breaks Related Posts styles

After a few attempts, I’ve realized that It’s worst than I thought. I just symply cannot work with this structure:

<a class="crp_link">
 <img class="crp_thumb" />
 <span class="crp_title"></span>
</a>
<span class="crp_excerpt"></span>

The way the <a> tag encloses the thumb and title makes a dependency that I can’t visually break using CSS the way I used to do before, which was something like:

<a class="crp_thumb"><img /></a>
<a class="crp_title"></a>
<span class="crp_excerpt"></span>

Will you consider un-doing that change in future versions?

Greetings!
Dan

Dan,

The previous code used to result in:

<a><img class="crp_thumb" /></a>
<a class="crp_title"></a>
<span class="crp_excerpt"></span>

In order to reduce the number of <a>, I created the new set of code.

Could you let me know how severe this change has resulted in? If this is really bad, I can push up a quick update to bring it back to the original piece of code.

Also, can you let me know the CSS code you are using? And, the result that you expect (screenshot)

Hi Ajay!

Thanks for your quick reply.
You can check how I use CRP at the bottom of any of the posts in my blog, like this one: Lego R2D2

I haven’t updated the plugin there yet.

Here is the screenshot.

I use that particular configuration, and almost the same CSS, in at least 4 more sites. I use CRP without images in about 4 other sites (like this one Zipper).

This is a sample of my CSS in Camionetica.com (just the important parts). I always print CRP using
<ul> (sometimes <dl>):

img.crp_thumb {
	width:65px;
	height:65px;
	display:block;
	float:left;
	clear:left;
	margin-right:10px;
	padding:3px;
	border:1px #CCCCCC solid;
}

#crp_related ul li {
	clear:both;
	list-style:none;
	margin-bottom:15px;
	display:block;
	height:70px;
}

#crp_related .crp_title {
	font-weight:bold;
	font-size:14px;
	display:block;
	padding-bottom:5px;
	text-decoration:none;
}

I understand the idea of reducing <a> tags, but in my opinion there’s not too much code being reduced, and those separate blocks for titles, images, and excerpts, are necessary in order to give it styles in more different ways.

Please let me know what do you think about it. As I said before, I’m a big fan of CRP (it’s definitely the best to do this particular job)!

Greetings!
Dan

Dan,

Firstly, I love the way you display the posts. A lot of users have requested to display it in this manner, and if it works for you, I’d like to share this code with them (plus include it in a future version of the package)

Secondly, I think I understand the problem. I am going to release a new version later today that will role back the code to the previous version.

Dan,

I just released the update. Can you let me know if it works fine now?

Hi Ajay!

Sorry for the late reply, I’ve had tons of work this last two days.

Thanks for your comments! I think that the CSS styles could be greatly improved but they always have worked fine in all my projects, so I keep using them as they are.

If you want to include it on the documentation, I could fix a couple of examples that could work 100% with TewntyTen , using <ul> or <dl>, as well as improving the SEO by using something like <h3> for the titles and <p> for the excerpts. We could even create a short tutorial for users with no XHTML/CSS expertise. What do you think?

The updated version works perfect with my old styles. THANK YOU so much for taking note of my sugestions and updating the plugin so fast!

BTW, I’ll be making a donation during the next few weeks, but as in my contry we have serious restrictions for accessing purchases/donations in foreign currency, it won’t be too much… But I’ll be more than happy to collaborate as a designer in anything you need.

Thanks again!

PS: do you see my email address in my profile? If so, drop me a line whenever you need anything. If you can’t see it, let me know and i’ll write it down here… or just google my nickname and you’ll find me everywhere ??

Thank you! I’ve been able to apply this code on my blog https://sirconandoyle.com

I plan on (in a future version) create a set of ready styles that can be used by users since most have asked me about the image on the left etc, so that users can just pick their styles instead of digging in the CSS

Hi Ajay,

Great! I’m a big fan of Conan Doyle myself since I was 8. Let me know if you need anything for the CSS ready styles.

I was trying to make a donation to your PayPal account using the “donate” button inside the plugin settings windows, but it seems the account has been closed. This is the message i get:

We cannot process this transaction because this PayPal account has been closed. For more information, please contact the seller.

Let me know if you fix it to proceed.

Cheers!

Wow. Thanks for informing me about that one. I’ll push up an update to fix this.

I had to close a PayPal account and reopen it. Seems like that broke things.

You can send it to me directly at me AT ajaydsouza DOT com

Thanks once again ??

Just pushed out a new release. The form should work now

Hi Ajay! Now it’s working great. I’ve just made a small donation ?? I hope everyone makes a contribution.

I recommend you this article about AdBlock’s creator Michael Gundlach, on Flatter, and some of his advices for sustainability on the development of “free” projects.

BTW, AdBlock is awesome.

I’ve been working in an article about 10 essential plugins which i use in any WordPress site, and I’m definitely including CRP.

Cheers!

Thank you ??