Moodle Plugins directory: Moderated RSS | Moodle.org
Moderated RSS
Rogier van DongenWarning: This plugin is no longer maintained
SEBSOFT MODERATED RSS PLUGIN
The Sebsoft Moderated RSS Plugin offers you the possibility to load multiple feeds into a block.
The block differs from the functionality of the original RSS block by allowing authorized users
to configure multiple RSS feeds per instance. This in itself is not different from the "remote rss" block.
However, once configured, every newly added item from any given feed, if not configured to be "autopublished",
should be authored by an appropriate user, allowing the feed item to be displayed by the block.
Note: this block is not necessarily appropriate for feeds that have items added very often.
For instance, newspaper feeds are known to possibly publish feed items at a rate of multiple per minute.
Since this block works with stored feed items, and does not parse feeds realtime (at request), this block would
be inappropriate to use.
As per default, feeds are only refreshed / parsed once per hour (faster refreshing can be achieved by adjusting the task properties).
INSTALLATION
- Copy the selectrss folder to your blocks directory.
- Configure your plugin.
- We're ready to run!
Useful links
Screenshots
Contributors
http://integration.moodle.org/job/Precheck%20remote%20branch/13691/artifact/work/smurf.html
Thanks for sharing this block with the community. I found it quite interesting feature that may be useful in certain cases. You may want to think about eventually changing the name of the block to something like "Moderated RSS" to make the feature obvious (no need to change the frankenstyle name, just the strings). Also, the default block name "RSS Items" could match it, to make it easier to find the block in the "Add a new block" menu.
While reviewing the code, I spotted some issues. At least #1, #3 and #4 should be fixed prior publishing the block here. The #2 would be nice to have, too, but it is much more common usability issue with many Moodle plugins (and even some core components).
Thanks guys for fixing the raised issues promptly. The last thing to do is to reflect the new block name here in the description fields of the plugin (I already changed the name). You are cleared to land now, welcome to the plugins directory!
Issue #5 was solved, the email sent out will now have a more satisfactory e-mail subject.
Also fixed: sorting, which didn't have a correct order.
Updated plugin for Moodle 3.3 onwards: replaced pix_url() by image_url()
Cheers
In case you want official support for this plugin and updates to the new Moodle version, it's certainly possible; you can DM me or Sebsoft Plugins for further details.
However:
* This plugin can be used to include feeds that do contain malware, and as such, display malware to users of sites.
* I wouldn't be surprised if this is actually able to introduce XSS issues.
* I have asked this plugin be removed entirely, but at the moment, not having maintenance is not a reason for removal
* The source repo's have been taken offline by Bitbucket years ago.
* This plugin was inspired on the 2015 version of block_rss_client.
@Esteban / Rogério: Can you please send me a message via the message system if you have actual a working sample of this malware?
@Esteban: There is no real reason as to why this is used, however... There might be a difference between the version of block_rss_client Moodle core has and this version. This version actively stores the content of the RSS and displays it afterwards. So this could have been used to make the compromised version. However, it is not sure that this might be enough to actually 'plug the hole'.
I will contact HQ to inform them of this discussion so proactive measures can be taken to inform people that have registered their site of this issue.
I read the comments about the contamination of this plugin, I don't have much knowledge on the subject, but my Moodle installation was infected. I downloaded the contaminated folders before deleting them, if you want I can send them to you, my email is astrologiaclh@gmail.com. Greetings.