Say It All: Episode 5 — From LOL to ROFL: The Evolution of Digital Language and Its Impact on Society | by Toni Maxx

The evolution of digital lingo is a fascinating reflection of our changing communication styles. It all began in the early days of the internet, where character limits and the urgency of messaging led to the creation of shorthand expressions like “LOL” (laughing out loud) and “BRB” (be right back). These acronyms became staples in chatrooms … Read more

Say It All: Episode 6 — Mastering Hyphenation for Clearer English Writing | by Toni Maxx

Understanding Hyphen Usage: Key Insights Hyphens are essential in English to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity in writing. Here are some key guidelines for hyphen usage: Compound Adjectives: When adjectives combine before a noun, they should be hyphenated, like a well-known author. Compound Numbers: Use hyphens for numbers between 21 and 99 when acting as … Read more

Mastering Tech Talk: Episode 5.2 — Essential Digital Language for IT Professionals by Toni Maxx

Git plays a vital role in modern software development, serving as the foundation for version control and collaboration. Central to this process is the Pull Request (PR), which allows developers to suggest code changes for review and feedback. Open PRs indicate ongoing reviews, while merged PRs confirm changes that have been accepted. “Merged PR #102: … Read more

“Taking WordPress Further: A Developer’s Guide to Pure PHP Integration” by Toni Maxx | March 2025

Explore the Power of Pure PHP in WordPress WordPress is a versatile CMS, yet sometimes pre-built solutions fall short. This mini series dives into using pure PHP to enhance your WordPress projects, elevating performance and tailoring functionality to your specific needs. “Mastering pure PHP integration is a game-changer.” What to Expect: Chapter 0: Addressing common … Read more

Chapter 1: Getting Started with Custom Templates and PHP in WordPress

Understanding front-page.php in WordPress The front-page.php file is a key template in WordPress, automatically used for your site’s homepage if it exists in your active theme. This allows you to customize your landing page with unique PHP code, offering several advantages: Isolation: Tailor the homepage without altering other pages. Flexibility: Execute pure PHP for external … Read more

Chapter 2: Enhancing Features with Custom REST API Endpoints and External Data

Unlocking WordPress with Custom REST API Endpoints In this chapter, you’ll learn to enhance your WordPress site by creating a custom REST API endpoint using pure PHP. This new endpoint will pull live data from Coinbase’s currencies API, process it, and serve a personalized JSON response that you can utilize in your projects. Key Takeaways … Read more

Chapter 3: Effective Strategies for Security and Customization

Overview of Advanced WordPress Integration Techniques This final chapter dives into advanced techniques for integrating pure PHP with WordPress, focusing on enhancing security and performance. We guide you through creating a custom template, template-got-quote.php, that displays a random Game of Thrones quote using an external API while implementing caching for efficiency. Demo: Showcasing a Game … Read more

Mastering Pure PHP Integration in WordPress: A Comprehensive Mini Series Beyond Blogging

Overview of the WordPress Mini-Series In the evolving landscape of web development, WordPress stands out as a powerful content management system, transcending its origins as a blogging platform. While it offers extensive support through themes and plugins, developers often encounter limitations that necessitate custom solutions. This mini-series is crafted to address those challenges head-on. Pain … Read more

Mastering Digital Language: Essential Phrases for Today’s Communication | by Toni Maxx

In today’s fast-paced digital world, lingo plays a pivotal role in shaping how we express ourselves and connect with others. From casual texts filled with “LOL” to formal emails that include “FYI,” these phrases streamline our communication and foster a sense of community. “What’s your favorite piece of digital lingo? Share it — you might … Read more

Say It All: Episode 7 — Exploring the Fascinating Story Behind a Controversial Word | by Toni Maxx

One of the lasting charms of the word “ain’t” lies in its emotional resonance. This term delivers a raw, direct, and unpretentious expression that polished language often fails to capture. “Ain’t” adds warmth and soul where standard phrases might fall flat. For instance, consider the song “Ain’t No Sunshine.” If the title were altered to … Read more