Last December, I wrote a blog post as part of my process of figuring out what I want to do when I grow up. It actually appeared on my old Blogger blog, but of course I imported all of those into this blog when I set up the website. I got so involved in all … Continue reading Why Learn?
Category: The WordPress Project
Filters and Hooks
I found this part of the book the most difficult to comprehend. Up until now everything was still within the realm of my experience with computers (starting back in the early eighties), HTML and CSS. Figuring out PHP was not that hard, either. But Jesse wasn't kidding when he warned us this section would be … Continue reading Filters and Hooks
J2 – It’s the New Black
Being determined to bring my WordPress project back on track, I downloaded Jesse's J2 theme from his website. I started the WAMP server, closed every other window on The Geriatric Laptop, said a little prayer, and started WordPress. It only took about three whiny time-outs, but I got it up and activated the J2 theme. … Continue reading J2 – It’s the New Black
Meeting My Ignorance
So I sat down this evening to continue with Jesse Friedman's book (affiliate link), and I ran smack dab into my own ignorance. Ouch. Let me explain. Jesse begins Chapter 5 of the book, Our First WordPress Website, by gifting us the files to create a theme called J2. We can get them from his … Continue reading Meeting My Ignorance
The Loop
Now to the last section in Part 2 (WordPress Theming Basics) of Jesse Friedman's book (affiliate link). The next part will be about advanced WordPress theming, but that's for another day. Right now we need to look at the main engine that allows us to put up many blog posts without having to make huge … Continue reading The Loop
Menus and Stuff
When last we spoke, we changed the HTML in our little sample file that Jesse gave us to reflect the title we put in our WordPress settings. We have a few more things we need to play with before we get into the heart of our new theme. Stylin' It's important to know that every … Continue reading Menus and Stuff
PHP for Poets
OK, here we are at the elephant in the room. I don't know how many of my writer friends are still with me on this journey (especially the one who promised to bombard me with questions but has been ominously silent instead). We are about to start using PHP, and I want to be clear … Continue reading PHP for Poets
My First Theme
In Chapter 4 ofJesse Friedman's book (affiliate link)we finally stop blathering about hierarchy and start making a real theme. A simple little theme, but a real theme nonetheless. So exciting. I went back to my WAMP to make this theme, rather than working online. It's up to you which one you do. While the WAMP … Continue reading My First Theme
Why I Love Feedback, or Templates and Hierarchy, Continued
On Feedback I got some feedback from both ends of the spectrum - my physicist husband who was impatient of my soothing words and dangling participles, and my writer friends who glazed over at the mention of HTML. I was also delighted to hear that one reader has used my affiliate linkto buy the book! … Continue reading Why I Love Feedback, or Templates and Hierarchy, Continued
Down the WordPress Rabbit Hole
Before getting down and dirty with WordPress, I want to talk very briefly about expectations. While WordPress has a very low entry barrier for users who stick with what is provided, to become a true WordPress ninja takes years. See this wonderful piece by the inimitable Chris Lema. We don't expect to reach that level … Continue reading Down the WordPress Rabbit Hole