Wordpress Beyond A Blog Word Camp Toronto08

WordPress: Beyond A Blog WordCamp Toronto Saturday October 4 th , 2008 Jamie Oastler [email_address] www.idealienstudios.com

Post Wordcamp Notes:
You can watch the actual presentation here: http://www.vimeo.com/1888342
Bulk of slides are identical to what I used for Wordcamp.
Small adjustments made so they print better as handouts.
Please feel free to e-mail me any comments / questions / links where you blog about the presentation – jamie@idealienstudios.com

Highlights
The Blue Pill
Introduction
The power of the platform
Anatomy of a theme
A few words about plugins
The Red Pill
WordPress-as-a-CMS
What can WordPress do?
What can’t WordPress do?
Where do you go from here?
The Green Pill?
How to install WordPress
How to configure WordPress
From CSS To WP Theme
Available shortly at http:// www.idealienstudios.com /presentations

Introduction
Education
Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University
Experience
Corporate development
Canada Post - www.canadapost.ca
Lee Valley Tools - www.leevalley.com
Innovapost - www.innovapost.com
Small business design
Hobbyists – sawdustandglass.oastler.ca
Local Businesses – www.sanacentre.com
New Businesses – www.healthyhooves.ca
Rural Artists – www.nostalgicarts.ca

WordPress.com stats
2.3 million new blogs
35 million posts
6.5 million page views
WordPress.org
11.1 million downloads
931 user submitted ideas
12,932 votes
1,090 changes into repository
3,028 plugins

Out-of-box functionality
Easy installation
Multiple content types
Hierarchical data structure
User roles
Content approval / publishing workflow
Content versioning
Customizable presentation layer
Comment system
Canonical URLS
Support for RSS, SSL

Open source!!
Community of contributors
Evolve with best practices
Bend and extend for yourself
Shared knowledge
Business potential - free!
Smart architecture
PHP
All major operating systems – Linux, Windows, Mac
Runs on all major web server platforms (including IIS)
mySQL
Popular open source database
Consistent fast performance, high reliability and ease of use
Set it and forget it – Add connection strings to WP-config.php and you can instruct WordPress to handle all changes via the admin menu

Modular design
Themes
template file system that provides a method to define separate PHP files for the different components of your site.
Plugins
A set of one or more functions, written in PHP that adds a specific set of features or services to WordPress
Filters
Modify content of various types before adding it to the database or sending it to the browser screen
Actions
Launched at specific points during execution, or when specific events occur

FUD Tactics – Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt
You’re pushing it to do something it wasn’t meant to do
Single Blog-centric
Simple Post/Page/User Management
Single and Simple Category Tree
Rigid Permalink Structure
“ WordPress was always designed as a simple CMS for people smart enough to not get mired in the things that CMSes usually get mired in.” Matt Mullenweg
http://bloghelper.is-there.net/5-reasons-not-to-use-WordPress-as-a-cms/

Anatomy of a theme
“ Template files are the building blocks of your WordPress site. They fit together like the pieces of a puzzle to generate the web pages on your site.” http:// codex.WordPress.org/Stepping_Into_Templates
Themes Directory - /WP-content/themes/

Anatomy of a theme
Start simple and build your design iteratively http://WPcandy.com/articles/the-WordPress-starter-theme-project.html
Display template for posts without category styling archive.php Primary landing page and could be the only one index.php <head></head> and usually top-navigation header.php A container for functions called in other theme files functions.php Put your analytics code here! footer.php Included inside display templates to display comments and allow users to add new comments to a post / page. comments.php Display template for categories requests category.php Invalid URL requests will be served this page. 404.php Usage Theme File

Anatomy of a theme
The volume and types of files in any theme will be based on the complexity / variety of designs and the skill of the author to implement those styles.
Sub-folder [Javascript] Display template for pages (non-blog) page.php Sub-folder [Images] Primary css stylesheet style.css Display template for individual blog posts single.php Navigation or code included in other display templates. Can be managed through admin via widgets - http:// automattic.com /code/widgets/themes/ sidebar.php <?php include(TEMPLATEPATH . '/searchform.php'); ?> searchform.php Usage Theme File

Anatomy of a theme
Make?
Intimate knowledge of code
Designed to your standards
Less cost / More time
Integrate concepts
Learn to be self-sufficient
How to make?
http:// www.WordPress.org
http:// www.wordcamptoronto.com
http://vibr8bros.com/WordPress-project/
http:// weblogtoolscollection.com
http:// themetation.com
Acquire / Customize?
Faster development
Focus on customization
Unfamiliar with code at start
Costs money
Leverage best practices
Where to get?
http:// WordPress.org /extend/themes/
http:// www.templatemonster.com
http:// www.woothemes.com /
http:// www.WPremix.com
http://www/ revolutiontheme.com
http:// www.themeforest.net

Why are plugins like women
They vary in quality
They can cost you time / money
Find a good one and you’ll be very happy!
What should you do with a plugin?
Read comments / reviews - http:// WordPress.org/extend/plugins /
Backup, backup, BACKUP!
Experiment on a development server first
Share your knowledge about implementation experiences
Support plugin developers!
a spouse?

Manual process
D – Download
U – Unzip
F – FTP
A – Activate
I – Integrate
T – Test
Why?
More control over the process
Better understanding of changes
More secure
Automatic process
An option as of WP 2.5
Store FTP password in db
Install via plugin panel
Plugins from WP.org
Consider the impact each additional plugin may have on your environment
Compatible with others?
New tables / entries in db?
Cross-browser implications?
Is there a simpler way?

Standard plugins to consider for any site
Akismet - Spam Control
http:// akismet.com /
Ozh Admin Drop Down Menu
http:// WordPress.org/extend/plugins/ozh -admin-drop-down-menu/
Maintenance Mode
http:// WordPress.org/extend/plugins/maintenance -mode/
WP-cache – Improve page load performance
http:// WordPress.org/extend/plugins/WP -super-cache/
WP-db-backup – Save you from yourself / hackers
http:// WordPress.org/extend/plugins/WP -db-backup/
google-sitemap-generator
http:// WordPress.org/extend/plugins/google -sitemap-generator/

Idealien Category Enhancements
WordPress-as-a-CMS usually involves completely different presentation requirements per category / per post.
Modifies the category and post template process
Consistent with the page template process.
Site authors can select post / category template through the admin console.
Configurable sub-category inheritance / overrides.
http:// www.idealienstudios.com/code/ice/index.html

WordPress-as-a-CMS
WP as a CMS means “to push WP beyond what it was originally intended to do - publishing blogs - and into the realm of more robust and perhaps more complex CMSes.” bloghelper.is-there.net
“ If you are going to be the person customizing and extending the system and then using it, its easier to start with WordPress, because by the time you’ve learnt about the templates and the tags, you are already ready to customize WordPress into whatever you want out of it.” blogopreneur.com
“ The three open source content management systems WordPress, Joomla! and Drupal are by far the most used publication-oriented CMS on the Web” cmsexperts.com
“ Our site is testimony to the versatility of WordPress for use as an entire website that is more than just a blog” Sharani.org

What Can WordPress Do? Basic Content
Blogs
Magazines
Portals
Tutorials
Subscription-based content

What Can WordPress Do? Photo Gallery
Rannie Turingan
NextGen
flShow Manager
Post Thumb
Custom fields + Lightbox2

What Can WordPress Do? Podcasting
Charles Hodgson
Plugins
PodPress (2.6 issues)
Blubrry Powerpress
CaveMonkey50.com
Attach .mp3 to post?

What Can WordPress Do? Recipes
Each recipe is a post
Custom fields for ingredients
Design a delicious theme!
Plugin potential
What can you make with what you have on hand?
What do you have to buy to make what you want?

What Can WordPress Do? Comics
ComicPress - http:// mindfaucet.com/comicpress /

What Can WordPress Do? Bilingualisation
Gengo - http:// WordPress.org/extend/plugins/gengo /
The unofficial language of the internet is English
Sites still have need of multiple languages
Easily translate posts / pages
New functionality – snippets

What Can WordPress Do? CSS Gallery
OS Designer - - http://www.osdesigner.net/wordpress-themes/css-gallery-theme/
Theme Test Drive - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/theme-test-drive/

What Can WordPress Do? Classified Ads
http://WPglamour.com/classipress-premium-WordPress-theme-for-classifieds-websites/

What Can WordPress Do? AJAX
Loads posts, comments and comment form inline.
AJAX Submit comments
Threaded Comments
Highly customizable post excerpts including having multiple inline pages.
Embed posts into posts and pages and load them inline.
Live Comment Preview or AJAX full comment preview.
Rich Text Editor for comment form.
Includes Lightbox, Slimbox, Lightview, and reCAPTCHA support.
Ajax previous/next post and pages.
Full AJAX Navigation
Clickable quicktags and smilies.
Major features work without theme edits.
Easily customized templates.
Supports multiple themes.
Options can be customized on a post-by-post basis.
Powerful Admin Panel.
Works with WP AJAX Edit Comments to allow inline comment editing.
Excellent support and active development.
AJAXed Wordpress - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/ajaxd-wordpress /

What Can WordPress Do? Integrate 2.0 Host your media on Simple Storage Service TanTan S3 Amazon S3 Updates Ping.FM when you c/e/u a post, etc. WPing.FM Ping.FM Use photos from sites to build WP galleries PhotoXhibit Flickr Enable visitors to use OpenID to post / login SimpleOpenID OpenID Analytics for traffic from social media Social Traffic Monitor List all your social media profile links Social Homes Daily post of your daily stumbles Stumble Digest Shows SU user reviews inside your posts Stumble Reviews StumbleUpon Show your twitters in your WP sidebar SimpleTwitter Notify twitter of blog posts Twitpress Twitter Actions in WP show up in FB and vice versa Wordbook Facebook Let your users promote your content for you Share This Social Media Everything Interaction Plugin Website / App

What Can WordPress Do? GPS / GMaps
http://WordPress.org/extend/plugins/xml-google-maps /
http://avi.alkalay.net/2006/11/google-maps-plugin-for-WordPress.html
http:// wordpress.org/extend/plugins/umapper /

What Can WordPress Do? Auctions
WP Auctions - http:// WordPress.org/extend/plugins/WP -auctions/
Create and host as many auctions as you like
Upload multiple images for each auction
Sell items only on 'Buy It Now' basis
Show 3rd party ads when there are no auctions *new
Get payment via PayPal
RSS feed for your auctions, and many more...

What Can WordPress Do? eCommerce
WP e-commerce - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-e-commerce /
Free for Paypal, Google Checkout, etc
Gold cart for additional payment gateways
Crafters & Artists
Books, DVDs & MP3 files
Viable solution for:
Bands & Record Labels
Clothing Companies

What Can WordPress Do? Mailing Lists
Mailpress - http:// WordPress.org/extend/plugins/mailpress /

What Can WordPress Do? Basic CRM
WP Contact Manager

What Can WordPress Do? Help Desk
WordPress Help Desk
Flexible Configuration.
Email Notification.
Accessible From Anywhere.
Full History Retention.
Integrated Seamlessly into WordPress Admin.
Reporting For Admin.
Different Views Depending On User Level.
Live Suggestions And Hints.

What Can WordPress Do? CMS / CRM
Flutter - http://freshout.us/goodies/fresh-post-for-wordpress-wordpress-cms/
Flutter Write Panel allows you to extend WordPress write menus:
Checkboxes
Named textboxes
Radio buttons
Modules, Layouts, API
Peter’s Login Redirect - http:// www.theblog.ca/WPlogin -redirect
Private WP - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/private-wp /
WPNamed Users - http:// WordPress.sundskard.dk/archives/category/WPnamedusers

What Can WordPress Do? Role Mgmt
Role Scoper - http://agapetry.net/news/introducing-role-scoper /
Role Scoper is a comprehensive drop-in replacement for capability enforcement and administration in WordPress. Assign reading, editing or administration roles to users or groups on a page-specific, category-specific or other content-specific basis.
What if you want someone to contribute their own pages without editing other’s post or pages?
Can content-specific roles be administered on a sectional basis, or must someone be a super-adminstrator?
BETA!

What Can WordPress Do? Events/Calendar
Calendar - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/calendar/
Events - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-events/screenshots/
Event Calendar - http://wpcal.firetree.net/
Google Calendar
wpng - http:// code.google.com/p/wpng -calendar/
Feed Parser - http:// wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google -calendar-feed-parser/

What Can’t WordPress Do?
Defeat Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris Facts Plugin http://www.jeayese.com/?p=218

Cure Cancer
Help people cope and communicate

Fix the US economy
Does give you a strong platform to build your business around
Provide the platform for LOTS of people to tell you how to make money

Where do you go from here?
Site Owner
Experiment and prototype
Support plugin/theme developers
Share your ideas - http:// WordPress.org /extend/ideas/
Developers
Develop your own plugin / themes
Help bridge the gap!
Share your experiences
Contribute to the community

Questions? Comments? Slides and audio of this presentation will be available shortly at: http:// www.idealienstudios.com /presentations

Mathematical proof that WP = CMS
W-O-R-D-P-R-E-S-S
= 23+15+18+4+16+18+5+19+19
= 137 * 9
= 1+2+3+3
= 9
C-O-N-T-E-N-T M-A-N-A-G-E-M-E-N-T S-Y-S-T-E-M
= 3+15+14+20+5+14+20 13+1+14+1+7+5+13+5+14+20 19+25+19+20+5+13
= 91 + 93 + 101
= 285 * 9
= 2+5+6+5 = 1+8
= 9
26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Z Y X W V U T S R Q P O N M L K J I H G F E D C B A

http://wordpress.tv	306
http://www.zoopmedia.com	18
http://www.slideshare.net	2

Wordpress Beyond A Blog Word Camp Toronto08

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Wordpress Beyond A Blog Word Camp Toronto08 — Presentation Transcript