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My Journey with AI and WordPress Plugin Development: Lessons and Reflections

Introduction

In today’s digital age, the promise of AI-driven development offers an exciting glimpse into what’s possible with automation. For the past several weeks, I explored this promise by working closely with AI to create a custom, all-in-one WordPress newsletter plugin. With high hopes for quick, efficient development, I aimed to streamline features like subscriber management, newsletter creation, email sending via SMTP, and reCAPTCHA validation. But what started as a straightforward project turned into a complex series of challenges and learning moments.

Setting the Vision: The Ideal Plugin

The idea was simple yet powerful: create a WordPress plugin that allows:

  1. Subscriber Management – Add, edit, delete subscribers with reCAPTCHA for security.
  2. Email Sending – Send newsletters to selected subscribers via SMTP.
  3. Single, Unified Plugin – Have all functionalities consolidated in one place with accessible settings.

This vision included creating a user-friendly interface, robust back-end handling, and seamless front-end integration for a high-quality user experience.

Progress and Challenges: What Went Right and What Went Wrong

From the beginning, there was some success in creating individual parts of the plugin:

  • Initial Setup: We were able to lay the groundwork for core features like adding, editing, and deleting subscribers.
  • SMTP Setup: After a few iterations, we achieved a stable configuration for sending emails via SMTP, a key requirement for reliable communication.
  • Form Security: Implementing reCAPTCHA was a priority, and we successfully added it to protect against spam.

However, merging these components into a unified plugin posed significant challenges:

  1. Feature Retention Issues: As we consolidated different components into one plugin, certain features (like reCAPTCHA and pagination) were inconsistently integrated or dropped in new versions, requiring repeated re-implementation.
  2. Email Sending Consistency: Despite successful SMTP configuration, the newsletter-sending function encountered frequent disruptions. The plugin struggled to reliably select and send emails to multiple subscribers at once.
  3. Layout and Usability: The goal was a simple, intuitive layout, but as each new feature was added or modified, the design became increasingly fragmented, impacting the user experience.
  4. Redirect Logic and Shortcode Use: The front-end subscription form’s redirect functionality wasn’t consistently reliable, leading to issues with subscriber confirmation and post-subscription redirection.

Reflecting on the Experience: Where AI Could Improve

AI development tools have made significant strides, but this experience underscored some critical areas for improvement:

  1. Context Retention and Version Control: AI needs to develop stronger memory capabilities, particularly for tracking prior successful features in complex projects. Being able to recall and maintain specific features across multiple versions is essential to avoid regressions.
  2. Unified Layout and Usability: Instead of focusing on individual functions one at a time, AI could benefit from a more holistic approach to plugin design. Keeping the user interface and experience in mind consistently would reduce the need for repetitive adjustments.
  3. Error Troubleshooting and Testing: AI-generated code could be enhanced by performing basic tests to detect and resolve common issues, such as validation errors or missing features, before presenting a final version.

Takeaways: What’s Next for AI Development?

Despite the challenges, this journey has provided a valuable perspective on how AI’s capabilities align with real-world development needs. Here are some key takeaways:

  • Clear Documentation: Maintaining detailed documentation for each stage of development is essential, especially when working with evolving tools like AI.
  • Patience and Iteration: Complex projects with layered functionalities, like this newsletter plugin, require patience, thorough testing, and willingness to iterate.
  • Advocating for Improvement: By sharing these experiences, developers like me can contribute to AI’s evolution. Feedback on real-world applications will help refine AI’s approach to plugin development and ensure it meets the practical needs of users.

Conclusion

Creating an all-in-one WordPress plugin with AI proved to be both challenging and illuminating. While the journey didn’t yield the straightforward solution I had hoped for, it offered invaluable insights into how AI could evolve to better meet complex development needs. Moving forward, I’ll continue to explore and advocate for improvements in AI-driven tools, confident that with ongoing learning and refinement, they will one day offer the seamless experience we envision.

Stay tuned as I continue this journey, sharing insights and learning from AI’s progression in web development on Aebe.nl.

General, Stories

How to Find a Great Hotel Deal in Maastricht Using Expedia

**How to Find a Great Hotel Deal in Maastricht Using Expedia**

Planning a weekend getaway to Maastricht can be exciting, but finding the perfect hotel at a good price requires a bit of strategy. As someone who frequently books with Expedia.

I’ve found that with a few smart techniques, you can score excellent deals and enjoy your trip without stretching your budget. Here’s a guide on how to look for a great price hotel in Maastricht, and some key tips for getting the best out of Expedia.

1. **Start Early, But Not Too Early**

One of the keys to snagging a good deal is timing. Booking too far in advance might limit the availability of deals, as hotels often lower prices closer to your travel dates to fill empty rooms. For a weekend trip, a good rule of thumb is to start searching around 2-3 weeks before your desired stay. Expedia often features “last-minute deals” that can offer significant savings, especially in less busy seasons.

2. **Use Filters to Narrow Down Your Search**

Expedia offers a lot of filtering options to help you find the best hotel that fits your needs. After entering “Maastricht” as your destination and your travel dates, use filters to streamline your results:
– **Price Range:** Set a maximum price you’re willing to pay per night. This helps you stay within budget and avoid being tempted by pricier options.
– **Guest Rating:** Look for hotels rated 4 stars and above, as this usually indicates good quality.
– **Hotel Class:** Set the star rating if you have specific expectations (like wanting a luxury experience versus a budget stay).
– **Neighborhood Filter:** Maastricht has beautiful neighborhoods like Wyck and Jekerkwartier, known for their charm. Use this to find hotels in specific areas.

3. **Check for Special Discounts**

Expedia often features discounts that can make a difference, such as:
– **Member Discounts:** If you sign up for Expedia’s free rewards program, you can unlock special member-only rates on select hotels. It’s a quick and easy way to save some cash.
– **Package Deals:** Sometimes bundling your hotel with transportation can lead to discounts. If you plan to travel by train or car rental, it’s worth checking if a package deal offers savings.
– **Coupons and Promotions:** Keep an eye on Expedia’s homepage for any running promotions or coupons that can be applied to your booking.

### 4. **Read Reviews and Compare**

Once you have a list of hotels within your price range, take the time to read guest reviews. This is crucial for making sure you’re getting good value for your money. While the price might be tempting, reviews give you insight into the cleanliness, service, and overall experience you can expect. Pay attention to recent reviews and look for patterns – are there consistent complaints, or do most people leave satisfied?

5. **Consider Amenities That Add Value**

Sometimes, spending a little extra for a hotel that offers free perks can save you more in the long run. For example, if a hotel offers free breakfast or complimentary parking, that could offset additional costs during your trip. On Expedia, you can easily check for amenities like free Wi-Fi, airport shuttles, or breakfast by using the filter options.

6. **Flexibility Pays Off**

If your dates are flexible, use Expedia’s “Show Flexible Dates” feature to see if changing your check-in or check-out dates by a day or two could lower the price. Sometimes avoiding a Saturday night stay, or arriving on a Thursday or Sunday, can reduce your hotel costs significantly.

7. **Use Price Alerts**

Another handy feature on Expedia is the price alert option. You can set up alerts for your desired hotel or area and get notifications when prices drop. This feature helps you keep an eye on deals without having to manually search every day.

8. **Compare with Other Platforms**

Even though you prefer using Expedia, it’s still a good idea to cross-check hotel prices with other platforms like Booking.com or directly on the hotel’s website. Some hotels may have exclusive offers on their own sites, but many times Expedia will have competitive or even better deals, especially with their promotions and rewards points.

### Conclusion

Finding a great hotel deal in Maastricht doesn’t have to be stressful. By leveraging Expedia’s tools, starting your search at the right time, and being flexible, you can find excellent accommodations at an affordable price. Whether you’re exploring the historic streets of Maastricht or enjoying its beautiful surroundings, having a comfortable and reasonably priced hotel makes the trip even better.

Happy travels!

 

General, Stories

Exploring My Custom 3D Prints: Innovative Solutions for Everyday Use

**Exploring My Custom 3D Prints: Innovative Solutions for Everyday Use**

As a passionate 3D printing enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of designing various practical and creative items that solve real-world problems. Whether you’re looking for useful gadgets or enhancements for your home, my collection of 3D printable designs on Cults3D offers something for everyone.

Featured Designs

**1. Blink Holder for GoPro and Regular Bracket**
[Check it out here](https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/gadget/blink-holder-for-go-pro-and-regular-bracket)

This versatile holder is designed for Blink cameras, and can be adapted for use with GoPro mounts or standard brackets. It’s perfect for those who want a seamless, secure mounting solution for their devices, offering flexibility for action camera setups or home security needs.

 

**2. Corner Holder for Eufy S340 (Big and Small)**


[View the design here](https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/home/corner-holder-eufy-s340-big-and-small)
This corner holder is tailored for the Eufy S340, providing both large and small variants. It’s ideal for keeping your space organized while ensuring your security system is properly mounted. The holder fits snugly in the corner, maximizing efficiency while maintaining a sleek look.

 

General, Stories

My you tube channel ! ( years old and only 3 movies ?)

Yes, sorry, created my youtube channel already 9 years agao, and placed some video’s on it. But in the end I took away a lot of it as well. But I will update it more…. (For those who like to know? I make now more video’s with this camera.)

 

 

 

 

So, just to know you like it. Check out my youtube channel ! And here one of the movies I already placed there ! Soon more. I promise!

What do you see in this video. I made a timelapse video on the old situation how it was in Leeuwarden, Europaplein.

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