This document discusses using BuddyPress and WordPress to build social networking features. It provides an overview of what BuddyPress is, the requirements to install it, and how to install and configure key components like profiles, activity streams, groups, and messaging. Videos are linked to demonstrate how to set up these different BuddyPress features and customize a WordPress site to function more like a social network.

1. Social Net works with
WordPress
WordCamp Raleigh 2013
Michael McNeill - @michaelrmcneill

2. A little about myself...
Student Director of Technology and Development for Carolina
Athletics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I help to
support innovation in relation to technology in a fast paced
collegiate athletic environment.
Partner in Digital Strategy Works, a firm that does.....guess
what?...Digital Strategy. We build more than websites and mobile
applications, we provide end to end solutions for our clients.
From Wilkesboro, NC, right below Boone, NC.
I’ve worked on exciting and wide ranging projects, such as ALOHA,
BuildingLink.com, Black Enterprise Magazine, neighborbee, Mackay
Communications, Melibee Global, and others.
I’ve worked with WordPress for over four years now and absolutely
love it.

3. What is BuddyPress?
Direct from the BuddyPress Codex (http:/ /
/
bit.ly/3Y1H7u):
BuddyPress is a powerful plugin that takes
your WordPress.org powered site beyond the
blog with social-net work features like user
profiles, activity streams, user groups, and
more.
First released by Automattic (the company
behind WordPress) in 2009, it has grown to
almost 1.8 million downloads on the WordPress
Codex.

4. Requirements
A working installation of WordPress
version 3.5 or higher.
You should be running 3.71 anyways...
.
A good back up of all files and your entire
database.
You should be doing this regularly
anyways....
One note...BuddyPress DOES NOT work on
installations where you give WordPress
it’s own directory.

5. Installing BuddyPress
Video located: http:/
/youtu.be/3G8T61mS-qw

6. While you’re at it, install bbPress.
Video located: http:/
/youtu.be/ycWJE0B1iCU

7. What is included?
BuddyPress is made up of a series of
plugins.
Each plugin is used to add a different
feature to your site, and most work
independently of each other, so you
can choose to use all of them or just
use specific ones to add the
components you would like!

8. Some Available Features...
Default BuddyPress Theme
Activity Streams and Status Updates
Extended Profiles
Friend Connections
Private Messaging
Groups & Member Listings
Discussion Forums (Powered by bbPress)

9. Changing Components
Video located: http:/
/youtu.be/f0hyCufSCWM

10. Let everyone register...
Video located: http:/
/youtu.be/_f veXB3J6lA

11. Activity Streams and Status Updates
Video located: http:/
/youtu.be/nBdbMxOC6OU

12. Extended Profiles
Video located: http:/
/youtu.be/9f8BpHf2N08

13. Friend-ing and Messaging
Video located: http:/
/youtu.be/x59RdC73fq4

14. Creating Groups
Video located: http:/
/youtu.be/EXcrmdC0Rs4

15. Joining Groups
Video located: http:/
/youtu.be/mfdWtgcWG8c

16. Proof of Concept
http:/
/beta.neighborbee.com

17. Questions?
I might have some answers...