The Quick Geek Fast Track with Wordpress Judy Wilson / site shack web design ____________________________ copyright 2012 Site Shack Web Design all rights reserved

syllabusglossaryfaqsl ideshow training resources

Wordpress is...

Blogging Software

A Web Site Publishing Platform

A Content Management System (CMS)

WordPress is an open source (cost-free + developers can contribute to it -- plugins, widgets, themes) blog publishing and “content management system (CMS)” using HTML + CSS + PHP and MySQL.

I get that a blog is a Web site where you post your opinions or recipes or musings but...

How is Wordpress a Content Management System? And what is a Content Management System, anyway?

Ok, some backstory.

In the old days in the world of Web site building, Web sites were built so that each page was its own self-contained document. Users needed to know HTML to maintain (update, change) the site. This worked (not very well) and there continued to be a clearly defined need for non- technical end users to have the ability to update their own Web sites -- i.e., to have the ability to add/modify/delete content (copy and images). In response, different companies formed (not to mention individuals) to provide a solution, namely a means of building a Web site “application” that would allow a user to manage or maintain his or her content. (Blogs were/are a sort of limited type of CMS.) By approx , many CMS/blog platforms had grown and matured to the extent that they offered a stable and robust Web site creation solution for professional developers and end users. This is what happened with Wordpress, which began in 2003 as a simple platform for blogging.

The first version of Wordpress (ver 0.70) to be available for download was on May 27, There have been 52 releases in all. The current version is Each version brings increased stability, security and cool bells and whistles. If you have a Wordpress site, your current version should be updated when the new version is released.

So... back to CMS

A Web Content Management System (WCMS) is a software system that provides website authoring, collaboration, and administration tools designed to allow users with little knowledge of web programming languages or markup languages to create and manage website content with relative ease. A robust WCMS provides the foundation for collaboration, offering users the ability to manage documents and output for multiple author editing and participation. Most systems use a database to store page content, metadata, and other information assets (i.e. pictures, videos, audio files etc.) that might be needed by the system (aka the Web site). A presentation layer displays the content to website visitors based on a set of templates or in the case of Wordpress, a “theme.” A WCMS allows non-technical users to make changes to a Web site with little training. A WCMS typically requires a systems administrator and/or a web developer to set up and add features, but it is primarily a website maintenance tool for non-technical staff.

Hmm. Do I have to be a techie to use Wordpress? Wordpress makes it too easy. But you might get a warm techie glow.

wordpress.com wordpress.com vs wordpress.org wordpress.org

wordpress.com It’s free and much easier to set up Everything is taken care of: setup, upgrades, spam, backups, security, etc. Your blog is on hundreds of servers, so it’s highly unlikely it will go down due to traffic You will have to pay to use your own domain name.

wordpress.org Ability to upload themes, including “custom themes” Ability to upload plugins Complete control to change code and make (or have made for you) custom modifications You’re responsible for stopping spam

I’m guessing Wordpress is pretty popular?

IMO

The Many Virtues of Wordpress Ease of Use Smart, intuitive design (visual and programmatic) Works almost perfectly out of the box Incredibly flexible Scales up and scales down Vast developer community Strong developer commitment Amazingly well documented Friendly to non-tech users Free

Ok. I want a Wordpress site. And I want to host it myself. Where do I begin?

Self Hosting To choose a domain name (a whole other topic :) To select a domain registrar (not GoDaddy IMO) To find a Web host (preferably Linux) YOU WILL NEED:

Domain name registrar ‣ A domain name for 1 year usually = $ ‣ Suggested domain name registrars (optionally you may add hosting) (optionally you may add hosting) (optionally you may add hosting)

Web Host ‣ The host account (usually about $ annually) ‣ Suggested web hosts (Small Business Authority) - includes domain registration, uses Windows platform (Media Temple) - includes domain registration, uses Linux platform includes domain registration, uses Linux platform

Is it ok if my host and domain registrar are at the same account? ‣ Pro: It makes setup easier. No need to know anything about “DNS.” ‣ Con: If you have a falling out with your web host, you can switch hosts without losing or having a hassle transferring your domain name to a new web host. Likewise if your registrar gives you problems, you still have access to your web host.

Web Host cont. ‣ Your host account should include Control Panel (where you can change your password, add a database, etc.) FTP (file transfer protocol) account Ability to create a database (not as difficult as it sounds) BTW. Wordpress is platform agnostic (it will run on Windows or Linux)

Huh? What's FTP? ‣ FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a means of moving Web site files from your computer to the Web host’s server (which is connected to the Internet). ‣ How do I get an FTP? You will need to download and install a FTP program (Mac > Transmit or Filezilla and Windows > Filezilla)TransmitFilezilla You'll also need an un/zip program. Mac unzips automatically. There are many for Windows. I like (7-Zip), which is free and works great. NOTE that your web host account will include - FTP account But you will need to add (i.e. setup or create) - A database

Your Web host will provide lots of assistance in setting up your Wordpress site, including the database. Find a host with phone support if possible -- otherwise there should be good tutorials available. A word about one-click installs. Use a bit of caution with these. They are ok to use, but some hosts will also bundle hundreds (!) of extra themes. Make sure your one-click will not do this. The more themes, the better your chances of being hacked. Some themes are coded in such a way that they can be easily exploited by hackers. You will also need to confirm that various security features are in place after install.

Getting Started: Useful Tips Set your domain name to auto-renew or pay for multiple years. After you search for your domain name, buy it.. You get what you pay for: cheap ($3.95 a month e.g.) host accounts typically live on servers already stuffed with hundreds or thousands of other accounts, leading to slow downloads, increased vulnerability, long waits on customer service and so on. Beware the “You Needs” (private registration, free trial offers, additional security that costs $ etc). Check your shopping cart before you pay.

Security Considerations Use salt in your wp-config.php file: Don't use "admin" as your user name. Use long (at least 8-12 characters) random, non-sequential passwords or have the host auto-generate your password. Don't use a wp_ prefix for your tables. Get into the habit of changing your password(s) and salts every 3 months. KNOW IF/HOW/WHERE TO BACKUP and RESTORE YOUR DATABASE.

Get out some paper and a pen. 1. Write down in an address book or someplace similar (not a random piece of paper): FTP user name FTP password (sometimes you can set this; other times this is something the host will provide) Database name - snowshoesdb Database host name - mysql.snowshoe.com Database username - judyxma Database password - X98#31bypJ(&lg

Finally. Time to Install. wordpress.org