PlugIn Help
Warning: Plugins
contain code that will get executed on your system. You should be careful
before installing any plugins from a source that you do not trust!
Your plugin management screen is
divided into three options:
- Plugin Manager - This lets you
install, uninstall, edit and delete plugins from Gossamer Links
- Plugin Download - This lets
you fetch plugins from Gossamer Threads, remote URL's, or from your own
computer.
- Plugin Wizard - This helps
you create your own plugin! If you are interested in learning more about
creating your own plugins, please check out the Links
SQL Developers Guide for more information.
This page will go over how
to manage your plugins, download new ones, and install and remove existing
ones.
The Plugin Manager:
The plugin manager lets you
install, remove or edit plugins. The opening screen contains:
- A list of plugins already
installed on your system. It will show you the plugin name, plugin author,
and version number, and offer you the choice of removing the plugin or
editing it.
- A list of plugins
available to be installed. Again, the plugin name, plugin author and version
number are shown, as well as links to install the plugin or remove it from
your system.
Installing Plugins
To install a plugin, simply click on Install beside the plugin
you want to add. A screen will be displayed confirming that you want to add
the plugin and display any special instructions from the plugin author. You
can then confirm the install, or abort and return to the main screen. Upon
confirming the install, the plugin will be installed, and will show up on
your list of installed plugins. Also, a menu will appear on the left showing
any special functions the plugin provides.
Removing Plugins
Removing plugins is just as simple. Simply click Uninstall beside
the plugin and you will be prompted with a confirmation screen displaying
any special message from the plugin author. You can then click Full
Uninstall, or Skip Plugin Uninstall. You would want to skip the plugin
uninstall if you don't want to lose any data the plugin created. For
instance, the SearchLogger plugin stores keywords users have searched on. If
you didn't want to lose this data, you would click Skip Plugin Uninstall.
Typically, a Full Uninstall is recommended.
Upgrading Plugins
Plugins get improved all the time, and upgrading is a snap. When you
install a plugin, if it is already on your system, you will be prompted if
you want to overwrite it or not with the newer version. Simply click
overwrite, and the plugin will get upgraded.
Editing Plugins
You can edit your installed plugins. Simply click on Edit beside the
plugin you want to edit. This lets you temporairly disable a plugin hook,
while you are testing, or remove menu choices you don't use, as well as set
plugin options.
Removing Plugins
If you are tired of a plugin and don't plan to use it again, you can
remove it from your Uninstalled list. This actually removes the file, and is
not recoverable. Be sure you are done with the plugin before removing it.
Plugin Download:
There are three ways to add new plugins.
1. View a list of plugins on
Gossamer Threads. Clicking here will show you a list of plugins available
for download from Gossamer Threads. You can just pick which one you want and
it will automatically download it to your computer. Then simply click on
Install and it will be activated.
2. You can enter in a URL to
a plugin, and Gossamer Links will fetch the plugin and save it to your computer.
3. You can upload a plugin
file, and Gossamer Links will save it to your computer.
Once the plugin has been
retrieved, it shows up in the Uninstalled list. Simply click Install and it
will be added to the list.
That's all there is to it!
Interested in expanding Gossamer Links? Be sure to read the
Gossamer Links Developers Guide!
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