Stalker ComponentModulePlugin

This is my first attempt at a Joomla extension. It's a very simple, and probably useless, add-on to get the visitors to your site linking through to the various Social Networking sites you may be registered with. I created the package for my own use, but figured that it wasn't going to hurt putting it here for anyone else to use.

NEW NEW NEW!! Stalker is now available in Component & Plugin forms. Module version >= 1.0.0 is required to work with the component, however the Module will continue to operate standalone (as it does now) if you don't want to install the component.

The component extends the functionality in that you can now add any Social Networks that haven't been added so far. Additionally, you can re-order icons etc.

Stalker comes with approx 45 Social Networks ready to go, but you can now add any new networks you wish.

For installation details visit the Stalker page over at my website.

If you have any further suggestions, then please let me know.


Module Version History:

1.1.1 (8/11/09):
- Wrapped output code in DIV tag, and updated the stylesheet to better handle styles for links & icons. If you had a problem with borders showing around the icons, this should fix it!


1.1.0 (29/09/09):
- Stalker Groups can now be created. This option means that multiple modules can be displayed on your site, each showing a different group of links.
- Component, Module and plugin have all been updated to reflect the new groups.


1.0.2 (28/09/09):
- Added username to ALT & TITLE parameters
- Border & Name elements removed for strict validation
- [PLUGIN] Fixed ID Tags so they are unique


1.0.1 (09/09/09):
- Added a new Module Config option, 'Display Style', which now allows the same display styles as the Component & Plugin, i.e. Images, List & Text.


1.0.0 (02/09/09):
- Fixed problem where links are prefixed with the site url in some instances
- Added new Module Parameter to tell module to work with the new Stalker Component (com_stalker)


0.0.92 (06/07/09):
- Fixed the link to Ning
- Added Width & Height tags for images
- Added more sizing options
- Changed the way images are handled. ONLY 64px x 64px icons are now provided. The size is still set in module admin, but the image width & height tags govern the displayed size. This doesn't add much to the overhead but the icons reduced by the browser seem to look better than icons resized by hand. It also provides more flexibility for icon sizing


0.0.91 (03/07/09): Fixed link to Meetup Member Profile * Added Option to link to Facebook Page

0.0.9 (29/06/09): I'm really on a roll now! * Added Xing * Added Linked In Group * Fixed PHP4 compatibility

0.0.8 (25/06/09): Two releases in two days!! * Added Vimeo * Added External Link, for ANY URL * Updated tumblr image * Updated Module Config Screen

0.0.7 (24/06/09): I finally pulled my finger out! * Added a stack of new services: Bebo, Blinklist, Blogmarks, Brightkite, Digg, D

Report

Images
Thank you Nick for the awesome support.
The component you made is a very nice addition to my website. Keep up the good work! 5+ stars
This unique extension provides a simple, yet highly configurable solution for listing your social network connections. It works as designed and works the way you would expect it to.
Support doesn't get any better! I asked Nick a question and got help (and a preview of the next release, shhh!) right away. Great guy, and really on top of things.
This is certainly one of my top 3 picks for overall favorite Joomla extension experiences.
byqbparis on September 29, 2009
Works like a charm right out of the bundled box... be sure to install the table, then go to the module and select Yes for Use Database.

Nick's latest updates (1.1.0)automatically include individual user names... so, if you have multiple tweeters on your site, the rollover alt text will tell you which one is which!

Looking forward to more extensions! :-)
byrehman94 on September 12, 2009
Excellent extension, this is just what I needed. Easy module to configure and the component is also easy to use too and allows addition of sites on it that weren't previously on the module. Thank you so much for this extension there's no other extension that does what stalker does and I really appreciate what you have created. The support is excellent too, Nick got back to me and was very helpful, highly recommend this extension for people who need this type of function on their website.
bycollaborator on September 2, 2009
This is a must have extension if you or your organization is presented in different social networks and you would like to list them in a nice visual way on your website.

Extension is pretty straight forward to setup and covers almost all well known social networks but there is more; version 1.0.0 which I have tested brings the extension to a new level with customization and adding every social network in way you like.
Works great, only thing I would suggest adding is Slideshare and Vimeo Groups if possible.

Its awesome though, keep updating it!
Owner's reply

Thanks for the comment.

Give me a few days, and you'll be able to add them yourself ;-)

bybigmozes on August 26, 2009
Just what I've been looking for to place follow me buttons on my website. Never thought it would be so easy.
Thanks a lot!
bycynmob on August 20, 2009
Cool, clean, does exactly what it says it will do. Nice, nice, thanks!
Great job Nick… thanks for sharing your module with the community. It was exactly what I wanted. At first I thought I would have to change the green background color to match my scheme but it accepted my css with no problem and looks awesome. With the growing numbers of social networks popping up it would be a full time job trying to keep up with all the links. Nick has many of the icon links available but understandably not all. But, he did something pretty cool by adding a blank URL link to use for links to blogs that he hasn’t yet made available. We have a ‘Blogger’ at blogspot.com that we really needed our site linked to and his insightfulness allowed that to happen. I had one big hold up and that was getting my link to ‘Linked In’ to work correctly. I tried everything chasing this phantom problem before sending him my distress flare. He addressed my concerns in a timely manor which you can now find posted at his forum.

Wish list:
- Of course the icon for Blogger at blogspot.com 
- Instead of using ‘username’ in the set up fields, maybe go with the end of your URL link or something of the sort. Maybe have a description for what you are refereeing to available somewhere.
- Add a couple more of those wonderful blank URL options for links you do not currently have set-up in your module.

I highly recommend this module. Thank you again Nick and keep up the great work.
Owner's reply

Thanks for the review.

In a couple of days you'll be able to do all the things on the wishlist yourself, plus a few other improvements :^)

bySkippies on July 21, 2009
I absolutely love this extension. It installs without effort and setting up or linking to social network accounts is easy.

Well done on developing an awesome extension.
byfotoracing on July 18, 2009
Thanks for this module, it's simple excellent. I was looking a module like that. continue the good work!
bynangyor on July 15, 2009
Could you please add a link to Dailymotion ?
And the possibility to add our own image for the external link, and 1 or 2 external links !
It would be perfect !
Thanks a lot for this little but powerful module
Owner's reply

Your requests have been heard, and there will be a new improved Stalker coming VERY soon! :^)

Thanks for the review!

Great module. Excellent support. The developer is very helpful.

Definately a 5-star from me.
Shawn
bygolan on June 29, 2009
Well coded, easy to use, super-fast set-up - this is a great module!
A must-have!
bygiwrgos on June 25, 2009
great extension! with the last version you have many options! great work!!
bytjordan on June 24, 2009
Installed in seconds and did exactly as advertised. Took me less than 2 minutes to have it up and live. Thanks. Great plugin!
byarjwad on June 23, 2009
Does what it says, couldn't be better / easier.

Arjun
bytyrvas on May 19, 2009
This is a really nice tool. It is easy to setup, looks very good and passes the XHTML 1.0 Transitional and CSS validation. Thanks
byegosophist on May 8, 2009
Talk about simple...

I love this thing...I make tons of sites every month and this is going to simplify a long process for the social networking aspect...If you're in Houston I will buy you a beer! Many thanks!!!
byimxmaster on March 28, 2009
Extremely useful module. Very easy to set up even for beginners.

Note: Would be nice if after i click on one of the icons, page would open inside of the site frame instead of new page.

Otherwise, Excellent.

Thank you for such a great module.
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