Multisite, also known as a WordPress network, allows for multiple sites to run under one WordPress installation. Plugins are available to add functionality like pulling posts across sites, mapping custom domains to individual sites, controlling plugin and theme usage, and managing users across the network. The document recommends several plugins for multisite networks that add features like broadcasting posts to multiple sites, setting defaults for new sites, customizing CSS per site, and providing statistics on plugin and theme usage.

1. Top Multisite Plugins WordCamp Savannah August 21st 2010

2. What is multisite? Multiple sites in one WordPress install Also called a Network Setup here: http://codex.wordpress.org/Create_A_Network

3. Sitewide tags Pulls posts to a tags blog or main page Can use that one site for “global” content Live example: http://homeschooljournal.net

4. Permalinks go back to originating blog.

5. Sitewide tags options screen

6. Broadcast / Multipost Push posts from main blog to other sites Works opposite to SWT http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/multipost-mu/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/threewp-broadcast/

7. Super Admin can fine-tune access

8. Gives a meta box on Write Post page. Shows all sites I have admin access to.

9. Domain Mapping Each site in the network can have their own top-level domain You need to create the site first, then map it. Plugin here: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/ wordpress-mu-domain-mapping/ Tutorial: http://ottopress.com/2010/wordpress-3-0-multisite-domain-mapping-tutorial/

10. Super Admin needs to set things up first.

11. User can map their domain & pick a primary. (Can do more than one.)

12. Super Admin can also map domains without visiting that site.

13. New Blog Defaults Controls settings for new sites as they are created Does not do plugin, theme or widget settings http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wpmu-new-blog-defaults/

14. Pulls in all the settings for a site that are under the Settings menu, plus these bonus extras. It's a really long page of menus.

15. WordPress.com Custom CSS Each site can customize the css without touching theme files Works like the one at wordpress.com http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/safecss/

16. Great for making minor chages to the same theme on different sites.

17. More Privacy Options Adds more privacy settings to each site Includes “must be logged in” http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/more-privacy-options/

18. Adds a network-wide option for Supper Admins under Super Admin -> Options menu. User gets way more privacy. Admins & Super Admins can have super-private blogs.

19. Theme & Plugin stats Super Admin only Helpful to clean out unused themes & plugins Stats are cool http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wpmu-plugin-stats/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wpmu-theme-usage-info/

20. What themes are being used where?

21. Which plugins are actually being used?

22. User management Users are global across the network http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/add-users-sidebar-widget/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/multisite-user-management/

23. Logged-in users can add themselves to my site if I place the widget in the sidebar to let them. The Super Admin can also choose to add uses to specifc sites on signup.

24. Blog Topics Categorize the sites by topic Useful to group sites by your criteria Includes pages templates for output (directory?) http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/blog-topics/

26. Granular Plugin controls Pick & choose http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/exclude-plugins/ Hide plugins network-wide (for super admin only) http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/restrict-multisite-plugins/

27. Does not show plugins in the mu-plugins folder. Woot!

28. Where to find more plugins http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/tags/network http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/tags/wpmu http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/tags/multisite

29. Where to find me twitter.com/andrea_r http://ronandandrea.com http://wpmututorials.com WordPress “Must Use” Tutorials ;) http://musupport.net (paid support forum)