Creating and Editing Content in WordPress CS 49 – Week 2

Basic Workflow Concepts Content pieces in a WordPress web site are really database entries. Fortunately, you do NOT need to be a database expert in order to use WordPress; it handles the entire process for you behind the scenes. Updating existing content involves obtaining it, editing it, and then resaving it to the database.

Updating Existing Content Launch a web browser (WordPress is compatible with all modern web browsers). Log in. Go to the web page that contains the content you wish to change. Click Edit. Make any desired changes, and then click Publish.

Basic HTML HTML is the language used to create content on the Web (including when using WordPress). HTML is made of “tags” or “elements” that act as commands to tell the browser what to do and when. The syntax for HTML is: <tag attribute=“value”> modified text</tag>

WordPress and HTML For example, to create italicized text, we use the <em> tag: This is <em>really important</em> stuff! Fortunately, WordPress uses a WYSIWYG editor that writes most of the HTML code for you. If you have something specific you want to do, you can always write the HTML code yourself. WordPress also uses shortcodes which are used to simplify the coding. Shortcodes are enclosed in [square brackets].

Creating New Content Launch a web browser (WordPress is compatible with all modern web browsers). Log in. In the Dashboard, select the type of content you wish to add (Post or Page). Click Add. Enter content. Click Publish.

Photos – Accessibility issues In 1998, the U.S. Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 508). Section 508 requires federal agencies and any organization that receives federal funding to ensure that all electronic and information technology is made accessible to people with disabilities. To comply with these accessibility guidelines, be sure to add an alternative text description (the alt attribute) for every non-text element on a web page (for example, images, movies, and sound files).

Crafting the ALT To craft the language for the alternative text: Imagine that you are on the telephone with a friend. Look at the media object (image/movie/sound file), and describe it in detail to that friend. Write this description down as the alternative text (the alt attribute).

Adding Photos Log in to your WordPress site. Click Add Media. Select desired photo. Click Insert into post or Insert into page.