First, a new, full-featured direct-implementation function, generateTagDropdown replaces both TDW_direct and makeTagDropdown. This new function brings with it a more flexible and customizable implementation that mirrors the features available through the widget.

The following features, mostly requested by users, are also part of this latest update:

• Switched exclude functionality to use tag ids rather than tag slugs.
• Added the ability to specify the indicator shown when a tag name is trimmed.
• Added the ability to limit the number of tags shown.
• Added the ability to specify the minimum number of posts a given tag must be associated with before it appears in the dropdown.
• Added options for specifying the order tags are displayed in.
• Added the ability to specify a list of tags to include in the dropdown, expanding on the existing ability to exclude certain tags.
• Added the option to display tags which aren’t associated with any posts.
• Added the TagDropdown_get_tags filter to provide advanced users the ability to modify the arguments passed to WordPress’ get_tags function. Using this filter, the trimming, trimming indicator, and count display settings are still obeyed.

Finally, the plugin has been entirely recoded to better conform to WordPress methodologies and to simplify the internal processes that produce the dropdown.

Version 1.7 of the Tag Dropdown Widget is compatible with versions 2.5 – 3.0.1 of WordPress, a slight move from version 1.6. If you are still using version 2.3 and cannot upgrade (which I strongly recommend you do), please continue to use version 1.6 of the Tag Dropdown Widget.

Download the Tag Dropdown Widget V1.7 from the WordPress Plugin Repository

First, a new function (TDW_direct) for use with non-widgetized themes is included. Using this function, users can trim long tag names, display post counts, and exclude specific tags directly from the function.

Second, two XHTML validation errors are corrected.

Finally, a number of important changes to the code structure were made to facilitate future updates.

The old direct-implementation function is still included in this version for compatibility purposes, but makeTagDropdown will be phased out in a future version.

Keep an eye on this feed and the plugin repository for the release of Tag Dropdown Widget v1.6.

Titled the Social Media Buttons plugin, the interface will mimic the Simple Facebook Share Button plugin but will let users add any or all of the buttons for Facebook, Twitter, and Buzz.

Keep an eye on the plugin development feed as I look for beta testers to preview my newest plugin.

The plugin is now available for download from the WordPress repository at http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/tag-list-widget/ and through your WordPress dashboard.

All comments were moved along with the plugin information, and users can continue to use the comment system at ethitter.com to leave questions and suggestions on any of my plugins.

To see a preliminary list of features and suggest others, visit http://www.ethitter.com/plugins/tag-list-widget/.

Version 1.5 adds the option to display post counts in the tag dropdown, just like the Archives and Category widgets built into WordPress.