WordPress:WordPress:Webmaster's ParadiseWebmaster's Paradise

Oleg KreymerOleg Kreymer

Systems Librarian, TJ Watson LibrarySystems Librarian, TJ Watson Library

The Metropolitan Museum of ArtThe Metropolitan Museum of Art

CIL 2008 CybertoursCIL 2008 Cybertours

WordPress as a Web Platform?WordPress as a Web Platform?• Content Management System: CMS (forget html!)Content Management System: CMS (forget html!)

• User-friendly admin interfaceUser-friendly admin interface• WYSIWYG editor (invites contribution)WYSIWYG editor (invites contribution)• Presentation layer (XHTML + scripting)Presentation layer (XHTML + scripting)

• Simplicity:Simplicity:• Clear functionality (it’s a blog!)Clear functionality (it’s a blog!)• Straightforward design: posts + categories + pagesStraightforward design: posts + categories + pages

• Open Source = always in development + Open Source = always in development + ¢¢• Can be enhanced with pluginsCan be enhanced with plugins• Familiarity (used it for other projects) Familiarity (used it for other projects)

CIL 2008 Cybertours: CIL 2008 Cybertours: WORDPRESSWORDPRESS

Keeping It SimpleKeeping It Simple• Modify a WordPress Theme ONLYModify a WordPress Theme ONLY

• Preserve core WordPress functionalityPreserve core WordPress functionality• Protection from changes in future upgradesProtection from changes in future upgrades• Theme of choice: Andreas09 (website look)Theme of choice: Andreas09 (website look)

• Two types of filesTwo types of files• PHP: controls PHP: controls WHATWHAT elements are displayed elements are displayed• CSS: controls CSS: controls HOWHOW elements are displayed elements are displayed

• Making changesMaking changes• Keep track of changes (annotate)Keep track of changes (annotate)• Suppressing and rearranging elements Suppressing and rearranging elements

CIL 2008 Cybertours: CIL 2008 Cybertours: WORDPRESSWORDPRESS

CIL 2008 Cybertours: CIL 2008 Cybertours: WORDPRESSWORDPRESS

How to work with PHP

CIL 2008 Cybertours: CIL 2008 Cybertours: WORDPRESSWORDPRESS

How to work with PHP

CIL 2008 Cybertours: CIL 2008 Cybertours: WORDPRESSWORDPRESS

How to work with PHP

CIL 2008 Cybertours: CIL 2008 Cybertours: WORDPRESSWORDPRESS

How to work with CSS

CIL 2008 Cybertours: CIL 2008 Cybertours: WORDPRESSWORDPRESS

How to work with CSS

CIL 2008 Cybertours: CIL 2008 Cybertours: WORDPRESSWORDPRESS

How to work with CSS

CIL 2008 Cybertours: CIL 2008 Cybertours: WORDPRESSWORDPRESS

How to work with CSS

Widgets & PluginsWidgets & Plugins• Widgets: dynamic and static sidebar elementsWidgets: dynamic and static sidebar elements

• Plugins extend Wordpress functionalityPlugins extend Wordpress functionality• Select carefully (functionally useful plugins only)Select carefully (functionally useful plugins only)• Test! Plugins can break WPTest! Plugins can break WP• WP upgrade? Test your pluginsWP upgrade? Test your plugins

• Plugins we’re usingPlugins we’re using• Forms: Forms: cforms IIcforms II• Calendar: Calendar: Event Calendar & WidgetEvent Calendar & Widget • User User Role ManagerRole Manager

CIL 2008 Cybertours: CIL 2008 Cybertours: WORDPRESSWORDPRESS

Thank you!Thank you!

• DO try this at home:DO try this at home: • WordPress.comWordPress.com

• Questions?Questions?

Oleg KreymerOleg Kreymer

Systems Librarian, TJ Watson LibrarySystems Librarian, TJ Watson Library

The Metropolitan Museum of ArtThe Metropolitan Museum of Art

CIL 2008 Cybertours: CIL 2008 Cybertours: WORDPRESSWORDPRESS