The document discusses adding social features like BuddyPress and bbPress to a WordPress blog. It describes how bbPress can be easily installed as a plugin to add forums and how BuddyPress creates a social networking experience within WordPress through features like private messaging, activity streams, and groups. Examples of existing sites that use these plugins are provided. The document encourages using the plugins to increase user engagement and contribution on a site.
5. Why Social?
• Increases user engagement
• Encourages contribution
• Lowers barriers to entry for content
• Gives “freshness” to a site
• Increases a sense of ownership
• And Community
Sunday, November 6, 2011 5
6. bbPress
...That forum software
for WordPress that you
probably knew about
but completely forgot
exists
Sunday, November 6, 2011 6
7. bbPress
• WordPress-native forum
software
• Akin to phpBB,
vBulletin, etc.
• Utilizes core WP functions
to create and manage
forums
• Dead-simple to install
Sunday, November 6, 2011 7
8. Install
• Go to “Plugins” > “Add New” in your
Dashboard
• Type ‘bbpress” into the search field
• Click “Install Now”
• Click “Activate”
• Go to “Forums” > “New Forum”, create
a forum, and start posting
Sunday, November 6, 2011 8
9. Notable bbPress Installs
• WordPress.org support
forums
• WordPress.com support
forums
• Dropbox support forums
• Stephen Fry’s discussion
forums
Sunday, November 6, 2011 9
10. Extend bbPress
• Support forums
• (Selectively) use bbPress topics in lieu of
comments
• BBCode (no relation!)
• Signatures
• Attachments/images
• Email notifications!
Sunday, November 6, 2011 10
11. Coming in 2.1
• Fancy editor using TinyMCE in any WordPress theme
• BuddyPress 1.6 Group integration (multiple and
hierarchical forums)
• Setting of minimal role requirement for public/private/
hidden forums
• Topic & reply moderation using moderation_keys (from
commenting/Discussion Settings)
Sunday, November 6, 2011 11
13. BuddyPress
Okay, NOW we’re getting
somewhere!
Sunday, November 6, 2011 13
14. BuddyPress
• “Social networking in a box”
• Friends
• Private messaging
• Activity streams
• Groups
• Forums
Sunday, November 6, 2011 14
15. Whoah, whoah, whoah!
That sounds pretty complicated!
Sunday, November 6, 2011 15
16. Simplicity For You
• Plugin installer: do
what we did for
bbPress, only use
“buddypress” instead
• Walk through steps
presented by
BuddyPress installer
Sunday, November 6, 2011 16
17. (Make Sure You Install BP
Theme Compat Plugin)
There. That’s better.
Not quite right.
Sunday, November 6, 2011 17
19. Simplicity For Them
• Progressively introduce features at a pace that
makes sense
• Allow users to get used to site
• Extend functionality in ways that make sense
for your community/user base
Sunday, November 6, 2011 19
20. Huh?
You never want to see this face.
Sunday, November 6, 2011 20
21. Use Cases
• Document collaboration
• Classified ads
• Courseware
• Affinity group discussions
Sunday, November 6, 2011 21