August 2nd, 2010 | Posted in Blog, application design, uidesign | No Comments
It feels like I operate entirely on lists. My iPhone calendar controls my life, just like my Blackberry before it and my Palm Treo before that. In other words, I write everything down.
About 10 years ago, I had a friend email me wanting to know what it takes to build a website. I fired off about 15 questions and went about my way because nothing came of that project. But a kernal of an idea was there so I fished that email out of my Sent items. This was the beginning of a questionnaire I could use. I’ve been using and refining it since then.
I can tell from the permalinks that this article appeared last year on Smashing Magazine but it was highlighted recently. It got me thinking about my little questionnaire and how it stacks up against others. Actually, I wouldn’t call it little. It’s four pages.
I found this article endlessly helpful in my quest to write things down. Especially because, as crazy as it seems, given my propensity to write everything down, I DO NOT HAVE A GO-LIVE list. This is crazy when you think about how long I’ve been doing this.
My new Go-Live list will be different than it would have been had I started it earlier. Today it will include a whole section on how to move a WordPress site from a test folder to the live folder. It’s actually pretty easy and well documented in the WP Codex:
- Backing Up Your Database
- Moving WordPress
February 2nd, 2010 | Posted in cms | No Comments
Tags: WordPress as CMS
The summer was a long time ago. The next one is closer than the last, which coincides with the last time I wrote a post. I have written so many in my head. Too bad I’m not telepathic.
I wasn’t blogging but I was busy installing WordPress as a CMS on every job I’ve done over the past nine months. I continue to refine my technique. The most fun has been creative use of CSS to make the site look like anything I want while still using the WordPress structure.
One thing I’ve started to do on every job is sign the client up for a WordPress.com account so that I can use the API. I had thought to use my API but changed my mind. I’d like to keep that separate. I’d be interested to know how others handle comment spam if not with Akismet (for which an API is required).
May 17th, 2009 | Posted in application design, markup, uidesign | No Comments
I’m having trouble finding large chunks of time to devote to mastering the WordPress installation on this site. My friend Alice mentioned a book today, I can’t remember the name. It had something to do with teaching you how to make time to sew by dividing the tasks into 15-minute increments. Since I don’t sew my mind immediately jumped to the site and how I could divide the tasks into small increments. I don’t think 15 minutes is enough time but I’m applying the concept.
March 6th, 2009 | Posted in application design, markup, uidesign | No Comments
I’ve been thinking about doing this for a long time. Years. I started working with content management systems (CMS) in about 2001. I’ve researched, selected, implemented and maintained them in various iterations since. I think the concept is really cool. So the idea to use blog software as a CMS intrigues me. I chose to install WordPress because I’ve had great success installing it for other clients as a straight blog. My personal blog is hosted by WordPress. It’s easy and I know how to customize it.
