WP Grins – Lite
A while back, when I released the new commenting section for this blog, one of the requests was the inclusion of smilies.
I installed WP Grins, but the overhead of the Prototype library was immediately noticable on the site.
Since I was already using jQuery here, it was apparent I wanted to port the plugin over.

I worked on a “lite” version on Friday, and talked to Alex King to see if it was okay to give you guys a download. He mentioned that he would be happy to do an update to the existing plugin, but had to do his own internal testing to make sure the lite version wouldn’t break blogs.
Until Alex is able to make an official release, I’m going to post a download link here for you all to check out.
Download Link
Here is the download link for WP Grins Lite.
The only difference between this plugin and the original is the use of the jQuery library.
Installation Instructions
Unzip the “wp-grins-lite.zip” file and copy the “wp-grins-lite” folder into your WordPress plugins directory.
From there, just activate the plugin in your admin plugin options.
WordPress Versions
This plugin has only been tested on WP 2.5, but there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work for 2.2+ installations.
Conclusion
WP Grins Lite is simply a port from the Prototype library to jQuery. The functionality should still be the same, but the footprint lighter.
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23. Jun, 2008 






Author Info
WordPress Version : WP 2.5x, Browser : Firefox 3
Thanks Ron, I used this plugin but took it out because of using prototype. I will try out yours, which will be much better for the website performance, I’m sure! Thanks for the great work.
@NaN,
Hope it works out for you.
WordPress Version : WP 2.5x, Browser : Firefox 2.x
In Write Post section, I click on the smilies but it doesn’t append smilies’ code into textarea. How can I fix it ?
@Tom,
That’s weird because it works for me on the Write Post section using FF 2.x also. So I’m not sure how to fix.
If you have any other blogs, could you try it on those? If it works then, then I suspect a plugin conflict.
WordPress Version : WP 2.5x, Browser : Firefox 3
Actually, I’m using 2.6, but it’s not an option.
After playing around with the plugin a bit, I found an odd inconsistency. On one of my sites, the plugin worked just fine, but on the other, it functioned just as Tom Riddle indicated.
I looked at the Error Console on the site that didn’t work, and found the following error each time I clicked an emoticon:
I replaced these two lines:
with these two lines:
After making this change, the code worked on both sites. Since both are running version 2.6, the problem has to be a plugin incompatibility. I’m still looking at seeing if I can find more details on the problem.
@Chris,
I haven’t tested this on 2.6, but will shortly. I know there is an issue with WP 2.6 and jQuery (if other libraries are running). I’m pressed for time, and this is a side project, but I will try to get it to work using your suggestions.
BTW… Hello again Ronald. This is the same Chris that hung out at the pub after WordCamp Dallas with Alex and some of the other WBTC guys.
After all these months, I’m finally getting my head out in the WordPress world.
Oh, sorry, didn’t recognize the name. But now I do. I have several pictures of you on my Flickr account
That’s good you’re getting out.
That’s odd. Most people remember my glowing blue computer chassis face.
I checked out those flickr images… Good stuff. That was a fun weekend.
Anyways, back to business. I’ve advanced tremendously in terms of plugin development. If you ever need a hand, just drop me a line, and I’d be glad to help you out.
Thanks for a great MOD!
Chris Jean’s suggestion worked brilliant! I had the same issue.
Cheers!
WordPress Version : WP 2.5x, Browser : Firefox 3
Thanks for this mod !
WordPress Version : WP 2.5x, Browser : Firefox 3
I agreed with you
Browser : Firefox 3
I am running 2.6 and this plugin loads itself 4 times in the header! I mean it loads the whole loadGrins, onclicks.. etc.. 4 times in my header.. I turn it off.. gone.. activate it.. boom.. loaded 4 times!
Any idea why?
I really want to use this as I am weening myself off of prototype.js.. and this is the last item I need to change!
Thanks!
Marina
http://www.hotforwords.com
Browser : Firefox 2.x
Nice work on the plugin modification!
The original wp-grins was about the last thing could not get working on my blog since upgrading to 2.6 version.
I tried a few things to modify the original and make it work and did have the original grins working in the admin area but not on the front end comment section.
This little WP Lite plugin worked like a champ on my WP 2.6 blog.
So glad I found it! Nice to have my smilies back.
@HotForWords,
I’ll need to have a look at your header.php file. Please file a bug report and attach a zip containing the file.
@All,
I plan on updating this this weekend for 2.6. Sorry for the delay. Client work comes first
Thanks! I submitted a big report, I believe.. it looked like I got an error message for a second after hitting submit.. but then it took me to the completed page.. so I’m not sure if it went through.
Thanks!
MARINA
Hey everyone,
Updated the download link to implement Chris Jean’s suggestions, as well as “hopefully” fix HotForWords (like your videos btw) problems.
Please give some feedback if it did/didn’t work for you.
Ronald
PS: Version is 1.1
WordPress Version : WP 2.5x, Browser : Firefox 3
grins lite work great in my dashboard, but not in my comment area. i am not sure about wp-head (that noted in readme.txt), any suggestion?
@Abah,
Make sure your theme’s header.php has this in the HEAD tag.
<?php wp_head(); ?>
WordPress Version : WP 2.6x, Browser : IE 7
Am getting this error when I activate the plugin: Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() … on line 48
WordPress Version : WP 2.6x
This past few days, I was trying this mod out and to my disappointment – it doesn’t work with my WP. But this morning when I checked I think it is working – dunno how or why? I remembered using this in a previous version of WP where I can even manage to edit my smilies or emoticons. Before I could add a few smilies and edit the codes as well but now I don’t see any link to even manage my smilies. Do you know where I should look at or edit? I would really be grateful. Thank you very much.
WordPress Version : WP 2.6x, Browser : Firefox 3
Hi!
I have installed this plugin (wp-grins make a conflict with ajax-edit-comment instead wp-grins-lite works fine).
I have also test to validate my site (W3C) but after installation of wp-grins-lite i receive 5errors and some warnings.
I have fixed simply with this:
Open: wp-grins.php
Search:
Replace with:
Now search:
Replace with:
Now your validation is good and all works ok!
WordPress Version : WP 2.6x, Browser : Firefox 3
Thanks for a great plugin, the javascript part of the plugin does need <!– –> added to automatically validate but otherwise brilliant.
I’m glad you did this as the breaking of WP-Grins was driving me mad, it’s amazing how much you come to rely on things isn’t it!
btk
WordPress Version : WP 2.5x, Browser : Safari
nice plugin! How do I disable smilies in my write post area? I just need smilies in my comments only.
WordPress Version : WP 2.6x, Browser : Firefox 3
Hi, nice plugin, but I want to remove the javascript (loadGrins etc) into an external file because it’s huge in the source code but then I don’t see the smileys when trying to post a comment…
This is nice plugin. Smiley make comment more colorful. Cool!
WordPress Version : WP 2.6x, Browser : Firefox 3
Wow, Ronald Huereca, You are great!
Thanks for such beautiful option!
It’s nice that they’re getting smaller and smaller but I think these days people have fast enough internet connections so they don’t have to worry about smilies.
Browser : Firefox 3
Thanks for a great plugin, the javascript part of the plugin does need added to automatically validate but otherwise brilliant.
WordPress Version : WP 2.6x, Browser : Firefox 3
Thanks for a great plugin, the javascript part of the plugin does need added to automatically validate but otherwise brilliant.I want to remove the javascript (loadGrins etc) into an external file because it’s huge in the source code
WordPress Version : WP 2.6x, Browser : Firefox 3
Hi! Thank you very much for the lite versin of WP Grins! The original WP Grins actually doesn’t work when I make a post and it also messes up my homepage. This lite version is 100% functional! Thanks so much!
WordPress Version 2.8 Browser IE8
good Plugin. Thank you…
Updated the download link to implement Chris Jean’s suggestions, as well as “hopefully” fix HotForWords (like your videos btw) problems.
Thanks for the download. I love this plug-in, though it doesn’t always work well with all versions of word press; it definitely adds a little more life into my blog. I have mainly been using grins 1.4, but found that several visitors had a problem with this. Apparently there is a compatibility issue with my version of word press, but this lite version works like a charm.