Localization and Styling Of The Datepicker in Hostel and HostelPRO

From version 1.5.9 the HostelPRO WordPress plugin and version 0.8.9 of the free Hostel plugin  there are a couple of settings that will let you easily localize and style the datepicker (calendar).

Here is how. Go to the HostelPRO Settings page and scroll near the bottom where you’ll see the following:

datepickerThe first box is blank by default. If you leave it blank, your calendar will be in English. If you want to have the datepicker in your language you need to enter localization file URL in the box.

All the jQuery UI Datepicker localization files are available at this URL. Pick the one that you need and click on it. Then click on the “Raw” button:

raw-githubThis goes to a javascript file that will be shown directly in your browser. Although you can copy the URL from the address bar of your browser and use it directly (like on our screenshot), we don’t recommend this. It’s better to save the file in your computer and then upload it to your blog. You can use the “Media” menu in your WordPress dashboard and upload the file, then get its URL. Save it in the box and that’s all – your datepicker is now going to be in your desired language.

For best performance it’s recommended that your whole blog is also localized.

The CSS theme URL defines how your datepicker is styled. We load the “smoothness” theme by default but you can change this by entering different CSS URL. Many ready themes are available on the CDN here. Just select one and feel free to copy the URL and save it. (Or download the file if you prefer, like with the localization file).

That’s it, the theme will be changed after saving. Of course you can also use the Theme Roller to create your own CSS.

Note that If you run both Hostel and HostelPRO for some reason, these settings are shared. Whatever you set in one of the plugins, affects the other one just like it is with rooms, rates etc. This ensures that when users upgrade from Hostel to HostelPRO there is no need of any manual data transfer.

Using Paypal Data Transfer (PDT) instead of IPN

Namaste! LMS users: the post below is valid for Namaste! LMS as well, from version 1.6.8.

From version 4.7.3 WatuPRO + Intelligence module supports payment verifications by Paypal Data Transfer (PDT). The reason is that some customers experience delays in receiving the paypal IPN response. The PDT payment mode can also be useful if you are running the plugin on intranet or want to test it on localhost.

Here is what you need to do to enable PDT payment handling:

  • Enable PDT in your Paypal account. More information here (see under “How to get started”).
  • Enter anything as Return URL in your Paypal account. It doesn’t matter, we generate another one on the fly
  • In WatuPRO (or Namate! LMS) Settings page select “Use Paypal PDT instead of IPN”. A box will appear to enter your token, obtained in step 1.

That’s it. Your site will now use PDT instead of IPN. You can test it in Sandbox mode.

BroadFast is now Arigato

Our WordPress autoresponder plugin is now called Arigato for multiple reasons but mostly as appreciation to our many Japanese customers and friends.

You may still see the old name used here and there so this post is to clear the confusion. No other changes come out of this – it’s just a new name. The product and company behind it remain the same.