WP Addict » WordPress

WPQuestions: Ask a WordPress Expert

Nile — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 10:49:39 +0000

The WordPress Support forums are a great source of information, but to not always dig deep. This is where WPQuestions comes in handy. A lot of the questions involve getting down and dirty in code – somethings involve stealthy PHP ninjas.

For those who just need a little coding help, but do not want to go all out and pay a lot of money to a freelancing site, this works great. Response time is great too. I actually asked a question recently and within minutes I had a response. I even had been personally helped by Oleg Butuzov (@butuzov) to work out a code I have been wanting to work with involving adding Adsense. All of the available tutorials had not been working correctly, so I turned to WPQuestions. Thanks Oleg for your help!

Here were a few questions that have been solved in the past:

WPQuestions was started by Lawrence Krubner and Darren Hoyt.

Please note that if you do use the service to please set an adequate price. Some of the more difficult answers do take time. I have seen a few answers not give the amount that should have been given for an answer.

One of the great aspects is that if there are several people that answer a questions and they all add to the solution, then the person asking can split up the prize money and award it to all of the people who answered. However, please note, that even if you answered a question correctly after another person, does not necessarily mean you will be awarded the money. It really kind of works like freelance boards where you are competing.

So, if you are a person who loves coding, WordPress, and can answer those brain picking questions, perhaps you might be suited to become an expert too?

Thesis And WordPress Clash Over GPL

Nile — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:02:34 +0000

I am not a Thesis user. I have designed for Thesis, but I have no love of it. Frankly, it bites. I wrote about Thesis before, and even though I offer a free and simple skin, I still have no love for it.

Thesis does not enhance SEO in any way. In fact, here is what Matt Mullenweg retweeted from @studionashvegas on Twitter.

The whole shebang started before the above Twitter re-tweet between Matt Mullenweg and Chris Pearson, and it spurred on a lot of conversation.

WordPress allows people to alter its code, fork off the code, develop plugins, develop themes, redistribute it, and more. That is how open source is so great. WordPress allows for people who are web designers and developers to take something and improve upon it. However, they (WordPress / Automattic) have been steadfast in not supporting WordPress related software that does not also allow much in the favor of open source and GPL.

Thesis allows people to download the product for an enormous fee. In fact it is nearly $30 more for a single licensing fee than some of the top premium and more pleasing themes out there in the WordPress theme market. The majority of people that use Thesis really are not that different from each other aesthetically in design. This is not some megalomaniac type statement. Look around, it is so obvious. It really is a shame when the product needs more flexibility rather than revamping tidbits of code and offering developers an expensive price that offers VERY little other than multiple installs.

Why bother when the WordPress default TwentyTen theme has so much more potential to be customized and even looks better than Thesis.

For designers and developers who have been in the field of freelancing or offering free themes, Thesis is not something to embrace as a nice product. It is like the annoying premium plugins that end up being a pain to customize. You have to learn their product because they decided to not go with WordPress and tinker with making a ridiculous amount of coding to make hooks that really are not even necessary. They still end up doing the same thing as putting functions and filters in your theme and your theme’s functions.php file.

There are people using Thesis that still have to use gobs of plugins. Do yourself a favor and shop wisely for a WordPress theme if you are going to buy premium themes. Many of them not only offer as many options as Thesis, but go above and beyond in design.

It is a product that works and a lot of people have embraced it, but really, how many hard core WordPress designer and developers would loyally use it, let alone recommend it? Not many that I have seen, especially with the amount of freelance work I get just fixing code on work by other web designers, including a few Thesis related projects. And by the way, I do not see many of those type of projects listed on the freelance boards.

Legality:

I go back to my point I said earlier about Thesis still using WordPress to execute its functions and even though there is a huge argument over GPL, I am not in total agreeance with Why the GPL does not apply to premium WordPress themes. The Thesis product is a derivative much like most WordPress themes, according to Mark Jaquith. It is like if I make my own theme, write a bunch of unique hooks, but those hooks actually operate off of the WordPress core. It is a roundabout way of operating a site. The core is not hacked or altered in any manner.

To learn more about GPL, here are a few resources:

What are your thoughts?

Askimet Deletes Real Comments?

Nile — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 06:37:21 +0000

You heard it! And this is not a singular incident. Even Growmap published Akismet Deletes Comments Bloggers NEVER SEE!

While a lot of people do know, others do not know that Askimet will block IP addresses that have been reported to be used by spammers. This is a problem, especially if those addresses are dynamic IP, most commonly found with broadband users. So, if you happen to get the “lucky” IP, you might have your comment eaten by the spam elves at Askimet.

Your WordPress installation allows you to blacklist a lot of things from keywords to websites, and even IP addresses. I would say to eliminate less of a chance of being spam or accidentally blocking your regular comment buddies (example: if they were to change providers in the future), do not include IP addresses to blacklist.

If your comments are being caught as spam, you could use the Askimet contact form, but as to how they will respond, I cannot guarantee that you will get a positive response.

For myself, I have not had a problem with my comments. However, I see people complaining daily about their comments being eaten. It could be Askimet. It might even be the server itself going through a brief glitch. However, there are enough people that are pointing this out and losing confidence in Askimet.

While I am not bashing on Askimet (because I am going to keep using it for my own websites), I have to put the question out there if some algorithms and settings needs to be looked at before spammers get worse in the years to come. Perhaps leaving the IP banning should be up to the individual site owner? Most web hosts do allow site owners to implement IP banning… some make it easier. For example, web hosts that offer clients cPanel have a special section in the administrator panel for IP banning.

What are your thoughts?

Pages Versus Posts, Which to Choose

Nile — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:03:28 +0000

So you have content, but you are not sure you want to go with pages or posts. Well, it really is not that difficult. A lot of people put together a site completely in posts without few pages. With WordPress 3.0, you can customize individual posts. You also have the ability to adjust your menu from your WordPress admin panel to whatever you like if you have the wp_nav_menu php call into the theme itself.

However, you have to ask yourself – do you want comments or not? What type of content are you putting up and how much of it?

If you like to put up mass quantities of items, for example, pixel images where you have a lot of images, you may want to use a page. Or you could release a few at a time in posts.

This is really something you have to decide on how you want to organize your site. If you make a page, you will have to announce the page somehow.

Navigation is a big part to most sites. It is often the source of a visitor’s problem if your site is confusing to go from one area to the next, and back again with ease.

I usually put posts for what I am going to talk about and pages for things I may only update every 2 to 3 months. How have you organized your site by using pages and posts in WordPress?

Easy Guide Using TortoiseSVN For WordPress Plugin Developers

Nile — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:12:27 +0000

So, you made a plugin, submitted the plugin to be hosted at the WordPress Plugin Repository and got approved. So now what? All those directions are easily understandable by the geek gods, but you are like – huh?

You are going to need to upload your plugin using SubVersion.

So, for those who need the simple and “Dummy” version, I use TortoiseSVN. It is free and for those who use PC. There are some others, including Adobe Dreamweaver – I think CS4… not sure on earlier versions.

So, if you are going the easy way and using TortoiseSVN, here is a simple tutorial on how to upload your files to the repository.

1. WordPress will give you a URL to your plugin’s location in the subversion repository. You will need your WordPress.org/ bbpress (what you use to log into the WordPress Support Forum) and your password.

2. Go to your folder with your files. If you have followed directions, you should have put your plugin files in a folder named trunk. Side Note: You do not have to have your files in a zip folder at all.

3. Right click in your screen and look in the dropdown for TortoiseSVN. There will be an arrow next to it. Hover over and select “Repo-browser”.

4. A little box will show up and ask you for a URL. Add your URL to your plugin’s subversion instance. You may be prompted to put your username and password in.

5. After this, you will see a window that will show the folders:

/branch
/tags
/trunk

6. Right click on the trunks folder and select “Add File” from the drop down. Your computer will prompt you to find and select the files of your plugin – kind of like when you use FTP.

7. The files should add successfully. You may even have to tell your computer that you are allowing TortoiseSVN to operate depending on your security settings and anti-virus software.

8. Wait a few moments and it should appear in the WordPress Plugin Directory.

What other subversion control software are really handy for plugin developers?

WordPress 3.0: Snuffing Out Some Worries

Nile — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 07:32:11 +0000

So, the biggest question I get a lot is if WordPress 3.0 will totally mess a person’s site up. After beta testing it on my own server, I can say no.

HOWEVER…

…for those who still are worried, I turned to Andrea Rennick (@andrea_r on Twitter) during WordCamp Chicago 2010 to ask her the same thing and guess what – my own answer was confirmed.

Now, it is the plugins that might be in question, so if you are not sure, ask the plugin developer if they are still actively updating their project. Of course, please be nice about it and do not expect an answer right away. Plugin developers actually do have lives outside of coding (oops – that might have been a little violation of code sacrilege.) Although I would hope most developers would install a beta version of 3.0 to test their plugin, that does not always happen.

Of course, if you are not sure, make sure to check out the WordPress Codex and compare the WordPress functions and filters, and even the loop to what you have.

I almost think this is like the Y2K of WordPress upgrades… but I am not worried – hence, you should not be worried either. Lots of great features in WordPress 3.0. I will be writing up a post soon on it since WordPress RC3 (release candidate 3) is out.

What worries do you have about WordPress 3.0?

7 Tips To Being A Better WordPress Web Designer For Your Client

Nile — Fri, 28 May 2010 09:47:22 +0000

I having been designing exclusively for WordPress for 4 years, before that, I designed more. I am not the best in visual efforts, but I like to try to work with my clients and make sure they have a more than satisfactory product that they can use.

The problem is that I keep hearing from clients about past encounters with other WordPress designers and developers who will not go that extra step to make sure their client can efficiently use their website. In fact, they are turning to premium themes because they cannot find someone to make their project idea a reality.

Remember, WordPress is no longer a blog platform. It is a full fledge content management system that with coding and imagination, a site can become extraordinary!

Here are a few tips when stepping into designing WordPress themes:

Know the code. If you are not familiar with HTML or PHP, you should not be designing as frankly, it makes other designer’s job a pain when they have to step in a correct your errors.
Know WordPress. This goes for the coding, and how to use it.
Design with the client’s experience in mind. Be prepared to offer them ways to use their WordPress in the easiest and more understandable way. You may need to walk them through it. Not all of your clients will be as WordPress savvy – some may not be as Internet savvy.
Design logically. If you are designing for someone else and they have some coding experience, they might be a bit ticked off if your code looks terrible or you took the roundabout way to get to a solution. Streamline it. There will always be a better way to code a site. (Also, make hidden notations in the theme files case your client is familiar enough to make edits, but might not know where exactly to make them.)
Be knowledgeable on site tools that will enhance the website. Whether it be an actual design or for search engine optimization, it is important to keep up-to-date on this type of news.
If you do not know something, then ask around or do some research. The WordPress community is really friendly. You can either use the WordPress support forums or go to various WordPress related sites to find out.
Whether it be WordPress, another CMS or static HTML, check your site in most browsers before handing it off to the client. Not everyone browses the same way as you.

Even if you are not designing for a client, you can take a lot of these suggestions with you.

What other tips can you suggest?

Thesis Theme Review

Nile — Sat, 15 May 2010 05:21:54 +0000

Wow! I never thought I would get the time to do this, but I finally have – after 5th customization I have done for a client who wanted Thesis. At first, it was a pain to learn all of the hooks. I know how to code and I know WordPress. (You would think after being neck deep in it for about 7 years now.)

However, I was not impressed. I could care less that Thesis is geared for SEO. After all the awesome people in the blog community sharing how to make your site more SEO-friendly, plus the fact WordPress already comes SEO friendly out of the box, it was a no brainer. . . do not waste money when you can do it yourself or get a theme from another company that gives more flexibility on how you can customize your theme.

After looking at the Thesis Showcase, even you would not be impressed. The sites do not have much difference in design and seem cookie-cutter. Unfortunately, FamousBloggers.net has not been added to the showcase as it goes far beyond what has been featured there. If more sites were shown to be of the same calibur as FamousBloggers.net, then I think people would be inspired to try more. The few skins out there are nice, but do not demonstrate much flexibility. And the premium skins – not much there either.

I admire a lot of people who have taken the time to put together a marketable product for WordPress users because it means they care and know how rough it is when you just want to put a site up, but do not know how to. I want to see Chris Pearson design the Thesis site itself in a way that is inspiring for other developers and designers to strive to meet and beat. I admire that he put the time, imagination, knowledge, and money into building Thesis, but there is so much that could be done than delivering a product and just giving a forum and the bare minimum on tutorials.

Is the WordPress community itself like that? – NO WAY!!!

Of course there are plenty of sites that offer tutorials for Thesis, but they do not reach the depth that designers and developers who want to go that extra step. In a way it is both sad and disappointing.

Unfortunately, because of social media and branding, people are looking for more than just SEO, Usability/Accessibility, and Support. They are looking to have a unique presence online.

You can get an awesome theme at Themeforest for $27-$50 and the developer will even answer your questions. There are lots of free themes in the WordPress theme directory that you can even change to suit your own needs.

I am not totally writing Thesis off. For anyone who will sit and read any of the tutorials available out there on Thesis, great – it is for you. For those wanting a more dynamic website, go elsewhere, especially if you are a business or an individual trying to brand yourself properly without having the “blog” feel.

I will be offering some free Thesis “skins” in the future here at WPAddict.net, but I am focusing on more about putting together a decent theme to offer for free that can be a blog and a dynamic site.

I know there may be people responding who are Thesis users and that is fine. I am not bashing Thesis, but asking you as users to strive to reach beyond the cookie cutter and rock your site out so it looks better than the other Thesis themes out there.

Your thoughts?

Why WordPress?

Nile — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:41:08 +0000

[This post is a guest contribution by Stacey Cavanagh, an Online Marketer working for Tecmark: SEO London. You can follow Stacey on Twitter at @staceycav ]

WordPress is best known as a blogging platform. Open source, the software is installed on millions of blogs and websites worldwide. It began life in 2003 as a very basic tool and has today expanded to become the most diverse content management system available. All this and it’s free.
But why is WordPress so successful?

Simple to Install

Most hosting packages allow for one click WordPress installation (through tools such as Fantastico) and even if there’s no automatic process for this, installing is still simple process. In fact, WordPress calls it the “Famous 5 minute installation,” and cover it in some detail on their site: http://codex.wordpress.org/Installing_WordPress#Famous_5-Minute_Install

Simple to Use

The dashboard is incredibly user friendly. No coding knowledge required in order to post new content in the form of posts or pages and the navigation is simple. The WordPress dashboard is also fairly customisable to allow you to further personalise your experience. Posting a new post or page is made even easier owing to the fact that you can either do so using WYSIWYG (‘what you see is what you get,’ similar to how word processing is carried out in Word) or HTML view and can switch between the two with ease.

Functionality

WordPress offers as much functionality as you could possibly need from a blogging platform. The ability to schedule posts for upcoming publication, to categories, to allow users to search through your previous posts, import previous posts from blogs held across a number of different platforms… The functionality (even before we get started on the plugins) is incredible.

Plugins

The open source nature of WordPress means that countless developers have worked on it to create plugins that add a new depth of functionality. Plugins such as the SEO All-in-one-pack and other SEO packs make dealing with meta titles and descriptions much easier (allowing them to be independent of the blog post titles themselves) and there’s a whole host of analytics plugins, social media and bookmarking plugins, media plugins and contact forms. In fact, if you think of a plugin for WordPress, the chances are one already exists!! That’s the result of years and years of work by developers all over the world and puts WordPress leagues ahead in the content management system stakes.

Themes

As with the plugins, there are a whole host of themes available for download (both free and premium). The themes are a one-click install and so for those who are not keen on designing a theme/layout themselves, this is a quick and easy way to get your blog looking good in a single click.

While many competitors exist, none have had the same level of development work go into them in the form of plugins/themes etc.

The user friendliness of WordPress is a winner with users (those without any development knowledge). The functionality is a winner with everyone and the fact that it is open source means it’s great for developers. In fact, increasingly, entire websites are being based on WordPress. This is possible simply because of the versatility of the product.

So much more than just a blogging platform, WordPress is an unbeatable content management system – in my book, there’s nothing out there better when it comes to simple, manageable websites.

Why do you use WordPress?

(feel free to put a link in the comments if you have written an article related to this topic.)

What Is the Best Permalink Structure in WordPress?

Nile — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:31:19 +0000

A lot of people who are into search engine optimization vary on this. Personally I use /%postname%/ and set it up for my own clients. Why?

It is easy and contains the keywords necessary for the optimal search. I am not known as an expert, but I have built quite a few sites that have improved well through ranking. I believe this has been the best. I know there are people that like %postname%.html and /%category%/%postname%/.

Why is it not as great to put the date or category in the URL structure?

Well, you are telling the search engine that the day and the category are more important than the article itself. For those who write tutorials and helpful topics, it is not the date or category that people are looking for in the search engine.

The great thing about WordPress is that is is easy to choose a custom structure and while posting, you can have a page slug that sums up the article, while the actual post name is longer. A lot of times this is to focus on keywords.

By the way, I really think that if you have not, you should check out Matt Cutt’s article Straight from Google: What You Need to Know. If you noticed, Matt Cutts uses a post name structure, but he also utilizes custom slugs where his URL path contains keywords the sums up his post, and his title is different. The article contains a slide show and video too. Another person I recommend that has a lot of experience is Joost de Valk.

What permalink structure do you use for your website and why? Any SEO tips for WordPress users?