Colby Rave Alert Sync Plugin

---

Overview

The Colby Rave Alert Sync plugin automatically monitors the Colby College Rave RSS feed and synchronizes alerts with the WordPress site. It updates two areas:

1. The ACF-based alert banner (via ACF option fields).
2. A specific WordPress page (the Colby College Updates page) with the latest alert information.

It uses a WordPress cron job that checks the feed every 5 minutes and updates ACF fields and page content based on the latest alert state.

---

Configuration

Constants

Constant	Description
COLBY_ALERT_PAGE_ID	The ID of the "Colby College Updates" page to update with alert content.
COLBY_RAVE_FEED_URL	The URL of the Rave RSS feed to monitor (https://content.getrave.com/rss/colby/channel1).
COLBY_RAVE_CRON_HOOK	The name of the custom cron job hook (colby_check_rave_feed).
COLBY_RAVE_LAST_DATE_OPTION	WordPress option key that stores the last processed feed item's pubDate.
COLBY_RAVE_LAST_DESC_OPTION	WordPress option key that stores the last processed feed item's description.

---

Dependencies

• Advanced Custom Fields Pro (ACF Pro) is required.
  • The plugin checks for the existence of the ACF class and shows an admin notice if not installed.
  • ACF fields are updated in the options page context (e.g. update_field('alert_active', true, 'options')).

---

Cron Job

Custom Interval

A new cron interval called "Every Five Minutes" (five_minutes) is registered. It runs every 300 seconds.

Activation & Deactivation

• Activation Hook: register_activation_hook() schedules the cron job if not already set.
• Deactivation Hook: Clears the scheduled cron job to prevent orphaned tasks.

---

Main Logic: colby_do_rave_feed_check()

Purpose

This function runs automatically every 5 minutes and:

• Fetches the latest item from the Rave RSS feed.
• Compares it against the previously stored alert data.
• Updates ACF fields and page content accordingly.

Steps

1. Check for ACF availability:

   • Stops execution if ACF functions aren’t found (logs an error).

2. Fetch the Rave RSS Feed:

   • Uses WordPress's fetch_feed() function.
   • Logs an error if the feed cannot be retrieved.

3. Parse Feed Item:

   • Extracts the description and publication date (pubDate).
   • Compares with the previously saved pubDate and description.

4. Determine State:

   • If pubDate hasn’t changed, no action is taken.
   • If the feed contains a new alert, it updates ACF and the alert page.
   • If the feed says "CLEAR FEED", it deactivates the alert banner and drafts the alert page.

5. ACF Field Updates (for Active Alerts):

   • alert_active → true
   • alert_heading → empty
   • alert_paragraph → set from RSS description (if syncing enabled)
   • alert_buttons → adds an “Updates” button linking to the Updates page
   • alert_type → emergency

6. Page Content Update:

   • Builds formatted HTML with timestamp and alert text.
   • If the previous state was clear, it replaces content.
   • Otherwise, it prepends the new alert to the existing content.
   • Updates the page content and ensures the page is published.

7. ACF & Page Updates (for Clear Feed):

   • alert_active → false
   • alert_from_rave → true
   • The alert page is set to draft (retains content for future reference).

8. State Persistence:

   • Saves the latest pubDate and description to options for comparison in the next cycle.

---

Error Handling

• Logs to PHP error log if:
  • ACF functions are unavailable.
  • RSS feed cannot be fetched.
  • Feed is empty or malformed.

---

Example: How the System Responds

Rave Feed State	System Behavior
New alert posted	Activates ACF banner, updates content, and publishes the Updates page.
Same alert persists	No change (feed not processed again).
Feed changes to CLEAR FEED	Deactivates ACF alert banner and unpublishes the Updates page.

---

Hooks and Filters

Type	Hook	Purpose
action	admin_notices	Display missing ACF warning.
filter	cron_schedules	Add 5-minute interval.
activation	register_activation_hook	Schedule cron event.
deactivation	register_deactivation_hook	Clear cron event.
action	COLBY_RAVE_CRON_HOOK	Run the main feed check logic.

---

Notes

• Designed for Colby College infrastructure; requires the page ID 42334 to exist and be published initially.
• RSS feed monitored: https://content.getrave.com/rss/colby/channel1
• Ideal for automated, hands-free synchronization of campus emergency alerts.

---

Future Enhancements

• Add admin settings to configure:
  • Feed URL
  • Page ID
  • Update frequency
• Email or Slack notifications on new alerts.
• Support for multiple Rave channels.

---

License

This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v2.0.