What You May Not Know About WordPress

In this article, Linda offers some advice for WordPress users who want to focus on WordPress as a content management system and who want to host that platform on a server. You'll learn about the changes WordPress has made to installation and upgrade processes, along with advice on code changes and themes below.

Yes, WordPress Can Prove Difficult...

I've used WordPress as a platform for Web site development for a number of years. Many times I just wanted to throw in the towel, as various glitches in the platform, in themes and from my servers have caused some Web sites to disappear or alter appearance without notice. Additionally, WordPress often proved susceptible to hackers, as few hackers can avoid temptations provided by open source code.

But, WordPress turned a corner about a year ago. They now offer a platform that – while still susceptible to hackers – is safer and easier to use. Additionally, I discovered a template resource that works with WordPress and that does not glitch when WordPress upgrades are required.

Over the next few weeks, I'll offer everything I've learned about WordPress over the years, including tips on how to start out with this blogging platform, how to utilize it fully as a CMS (Content Management System), how to work with a viable and valuable template format and how to use widgets (got to have those widgets!). At the same time, I'll show you what to avoid so you, too, can save time and avoid headaches.

Why WordPress?

Blogging platforms, for the most part, have stabilized over the past decade and have become easier to use. I currently use Google's Blogger, a free platform that is easy to use and that requires little set-up knowledge. I also use the free WordPress blogging system that is tied to WordPress servers. I also tried Moveable Type, but I keep going back to WordPress simply out of habit.

I do not use Drupal nor any other content management systems yet, only because my learning-curve time currently is limited. Staying on top of one platform is all I can hope for at the moment, and I hope that these articles will help make your WordPress learning curve easier. By stating this information, I want you to know that I am not compensated by any platforms, themes or other tools when I mention them in this series of articles. I support them only because I've learned that they work for me and, hopefully, they will serve you well, too.

That said, you have a number of options in using WordPress. If you don't want to purchase server space, you can build a blog at WordPress, but your options to alter that site are limited. You are subject to using current WordPress code (which is great for security reasons), but you may be limited to choices in templates, widgets and plugins.

But, you want to register at WordPress even if you don't want to build a blog on their servers. First, you will be able to use the forums as a registered users. Secondly, you receive advantages, such as the use of an API key that activates one of the more useful plugins around – Askimet. This plugin, designed to stop comment spam, requires a WordPress registration and payment if your blog is intended for commercial use. While Askimet does not stop all comment spam, it does a very good job at getting to the worst of the incoming trash.