WPtouch 1.9.23 has been released, and it includes an important security update, 1 new feature and some fixes.
Here’s the changelog:

• Fixed: IMPORTANT security issue with AJAX icon upload
• Fixed: Issue with excluded categories not working
• Added: Ability to exclude tags by ID from blog (experimental)
• Added: Now filter the excluded categories and tags from the header listings
• Changed: Now removing the admin bar when logged in and looking at WPtouch (will still show for regular theme)

*Translators: please re-submit translations with updated strings (esp. for excluded tags area).

Earth Hour Plugin Update

Earth Hour 1.5 has also been released, it includes:

• New option to disable the banner bar
• Reduces the server check we do from every hour to once per day

This plugin that allows you to show support for the Earth Hour event and “turn off” your website’s lights during the hour. It’s an easy way to show your support for Earth Hour, and raise awareness of the worldwide event.

Before the event your site will show a thin banner which counts down to the event, shows how many other sites are using the plugin, and also links to the official Earth Hour website.

During the event, your website shows a “blackout” screen, with an earth hour logo (or you can display your own) and your own personalized message and earth hour image letting visitors know your website is participating in the event.

You can find out more about the plugin on the Official WordPress plugin repository, or add the plugin through your WordPress admin by visiting the plugins/add new page, and searching for “Earth Hour”.

WWF.ca Website

Recently we were contacted by a friendly employee at the WWF.ca website letting us know they’ve added our Earth Hour plugin to thier Spread The Word page. On the page you’ll find lots of cool banners, images, flash files and more to post on your website or social networking profile page(s).

The Hour Draws Near!

With just over 3 weeks to the Hour remaining, we’ve noticed almost 500 websites participating in the event using our plugin.

To find our more about our free and easy Earth Hour plugin visit the plugin page now.

BraveNewCode is a corporate buyer of the PlanetAir Gold Standard offsets, and is listed on their business page. We spent a good deal of time investigating the various offset companies, and ultimately settled on PlanetAir for two reasons: they run as a non-profit, and they are endorsed by the David Suzuki foundation. If you’re a business that cares about the environment and is interested in offsetting your travel, I highly recommend checking them out.

To see a list of our previously offset trips, please visit our environment page.

We’re usually pretty mindful about the environment individually, but as a company we’re trying to do little things to show our commitment. That’s why this Earth Day we made a small donation to the WWF in the order of a hundred bucks. It’s a small deal, but a little something to mark the day.

When considering organizations, we often look to those whose operations are international— but we’re certainly not opposed to those which are local, or suggested. So with that, if you’ve got an organization in mind that you think deserves attention please send us an e-mail and let us know about it.

Find out more about BraveNewCode’s environmental goals.

Today Dale and I purchased carbon offsets from PlanetAir.ca to offset our recent company event in Mexico, as well as my flight out to Hamilton. Going forward BraveNewCode is going to strive to be completely carbon neutral, and in the process, hopefully inspire other companies in our space to hit that milestone as well.

We’re going to routinely update our mandate as well as our current progress on our official environmental initiatives page, so take a peek in there from time to time to see what we’re up to.