WP Plugin Dooodl
Test report

Dooodl

Dooodl is a unique WordPress plugin developed by Ronny Welter, that was first released on 2009-09-20 was. With over 60+ active installations Dooodl offers an innovative way to increase a blog's interactivity by creating and saving doodles. The plugin acts similarly to a guestbook but is more visually appealing and entertaining. By allowing doodles to be created and displayed interactively, Dooodl stands out from other plugins. The target audience is mainly blog visitors who appreciate visual and interactive content, with the plugin particularly used in child-friendly and creative environments. The average rating is 3.9 out of 5 stars based on a total of 8 reviews in the official WordPress Plugin Store. The following paragraph provides a detailed look at the plugin's features and characteristics to further examine Dooodl's use cases and effectiveness.

"I use it on a website for kids and they love it."

Features - Extensive and flexible functionality

Dooodl offers remarkable functionality beyond basic doodling. The plugin not only allows creating and saving drawings but also provides versatile display options. Doodles can be shown via a widget, shortcodes, or with plugins that support custom post types. This flexibility gives users many ways to integrate and customize doodles on their website.

"It works and is fun."

Free Features - No extra cost yet versatile

• Doodling feature - Visitors can create small doodles and save them on the site.
• Versatile display options - Doodles can be flexibly integrated into the site using different methods.

License - Free usage options

Dooodl is available as a free plugin, making it an attractive choice for blog owners who want to offer interactive content to visitors at no extra cost. Users appreciate the ease of adding a fun, child-friendly element to their site. Reviews highlight the user-friendliness and enjoyment the plugin provides, although some wish for more features and technical improvements.

"I spent all day working on a website for our art center and decided to look for fun plugins. This one is delightful."

Technical details - Insight into internal structure

Dooodl uses a custom post type called "dooodl" to store created doodles in the database. Management of these post data follows WordPress standards, increasing flexibility for integration with other WordPress components. Doodles can be displayed either via a simple widget or by using shortcodes on the website. This indicates that the rendering of drawings is implemented both through direct database queries and file system access, providing users with a seamless and responsive experience. The backend structure and storage are kept minimal, likely to optimize load times and manage storage efficiently. Developers may also extend and customize the plugin via API hooks, offering room for individual adaptations.

System requirements - Requirements for using Dooodl

For proper operation of the Dooodl plugin at least PHP version 7.4 or higher is required. The plugin also requires a WordPress installation with WordPress version 2.7 or higher. It has been tested up to WordPress version 6.6.0. The current plugin version number is 2.3.0. The last update in 2024-07 ensures compatibility with common WordPress installations and makes sure users benefit from the latest improvements and security updates.

"After installation it could not be activated. WordPress warned that it could not be activated because it caused a 'fatal error'."

Quality - Positive experiences but room for improvement

The quality of the Dooodl plugin is rated mixed in reviews. Some users are enthusiastic about its functionality and fun use, especially because the plugin adds a creative and interactive component to websites. User-friendliness and the ability to use it at no extra cost are highlighted positively, making it a popular choice for child-friendly platforms.

However there are also critical voices pointing out technical limitations. Activation problems due to fatal errors have been reported, hindering plugin use for some users. There is also a desire for further development of the plugin, for example to support higher resolutions or additional tools, indicating potential for future improvements.

"Wish it had been further developed with somewhat higher resolution and more tools."

Support - Experiences and contact options

Support for the Dooodl plugin is only briefly mentioned in the plugin description, suggesting there is little specific information about contact options or response times. According to available information there are no documented user experiences with support, neither positive nor negative.

To get help, users can visit the plugin's support forum on WordPress.org. Alternatively, the developer's commercial support is available. These support options suggest the developer at least provides a basic help channel for users, although further details are missing.

Overall it seems, due to limited information, that there is potential for future improvements here, especially to actively optimize user experiences through better support.

"Wish it had been further developed with somewhat higher resolution and more tools."

Rating - User experiences and technical notes

The average rating of the Dooodl plugin is 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 8 reviews in the WordPress Plugin Store. These reviews reflect both praise and criticism. Many users appreciate the interactive and fun nature of the plugin. It is especially well received on child-oriented websites.

"It's really great to draw on my site and get drawings from others."

Not all experiences are positive. Some users report technical difficulties, especially with activating the plugin due to system errors that prevented activation.

"After installation it could not be activated. WordPress warned that it could not be activated because it caused a 'fatal error'."

Despite mixed reviews, the plugin remains popular with many because it is free and offers creative possibilities, although users wish for further development and improvements in features and resolution.

"I use it on a website for kids and they love it."

Criticism - Technical problems and improvement potential

The WordPress plugin Dooodl has received a variety of criticisms in its user reviews. A commonly mentioned problem is activating the plugin, which is affected by system errors. Users report "fatal errors" that occur during installation and make use impossible. These technical issues raise questions about the plugin's stability and reliability.

Users also requested improvements in functionality and overall quality. Some would like expanded features and higher resolution for created drawings. The lack of continued development and absence of regular updates are also points users criticize in their reviews. These aspects suggest that despite its creative approach and free availability, the plugin still has room for strategic and technical improvements.

"After installation it could not be activated. WordPress warned that it could not be activated because it caused a 'fatal error'."

Conclusion - A versatile solution with room for development

The WordPress plugin Dooodl, developed by Ronny Welter, offers users a free, creative way to make their websites interactive. Especially in child-friendly environments it is popular thanks to its doodling-based features. It has high adaptability through various display methods, enabling seamless integration into websites.

Nevertheless, user reviews reveal that there are technical difficulties with installation that can make usage difficult. There is also a desire for expanded functionality and better image resolution. While flexible use and the plugin's entertaining offerings are in the foreground, there are clear opportunities for improvements in user experience and stability. The potential for further development remains to continuously optimize the plugin and increase user satisfaction.