Tech/Stats Archives - Page 9 of 19

Interview 6: Blogging Pro’s David Peralty

July 4, 2006 by Liz

David Peralty, Blogging Pro

A few days ago I posted about the WordPress Theme and Plugin Challenge set by David Peralty at Blogging Pro. In that post, I promised more information about David and his reasons for posing the challenge. Both are worth a closer look.

Since my post about the challenge, Blogging Pro has added news and articles that include lies that bloggers tell about blogging, how to lead a balanced life as a blogger, other WordPress themes and plugins, trackback bugs, and the great “bug in” on July 4th to rid WordPress of critters. Writing for Blogging Pro keeps a guy busy.

Yet, when we talked by email. David was unstressed, professional, quick and friendly. Here are three question that I asked him with the answers he sent me.

What prompted you to lay down the WordPress challenge?

As I have been working on Blogging Pro for the Bloggy Network, I have been noticing a shift in both the quality and quantity of themes and plugins for WordPress. With the community not inspired by many of the contests that were around, I really started feeling a little bummed at where the community was heading. Blogging Pro, being one of the bigger WordPress information sites, I thought it could be a great platform to entice others to step up and create something new.

Are you a theme designer yourself?

I have attempted to design my own theme called Phoenixtheme (http://www.phoenixrealm.com/2006/02/02/phoenixtheme-v02/). It was relatively simple, but it was picked up pretty well by many people,
who them customized it for their needs. I also did a quick conversion of an open source web design Andreas 07 (http://www.phoenixrealm.com/2006/02/02/wpandreas07-v02/) so that it
could be used for the WordPress platform.

Aren’t there already enough WordPress themes and plugins to go around?

Honestly, I still feel some very important areas have been ignored. How many grunge themes are there? Themes that are more girly in nature? What about good three and four column themes? I still feel that there are also so many ways WordPress themes could go that have not been explored.

Also as the community grows, I have been noticing that there are about a dozen themes that do really well, while all the rest are more or less ignored. I would like to see that upper level increase to a group of two dozen superb themes.

I also think the same of WordPress plugins. You might say “how many plugins do you need to integrate an image gallery into your site?” but honestly I have yet to come across one that does what I need it to do, how I want to do it. With plugins, the different workflow that people have has to be taken into consideration, which is why you can have a dozen plugins that do the same thing, but people will follow the one that works the best for them.

I think that there are still more plugins in the minds of creative people that if given the right incentive, and motivation, will be released and we will all go “Wow!”.

David Peralty thinks the community deserves a “Wow!” David doesn’t just write for Blogging Pro. He is one. Read his posts. You’ll see.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Don’t Forget TechCocktail in Chicago

July 3, 2006 by Liz

It’s This Thursday, July 6th

Are you coming? It’s going to be big fun. How often do you get to be with people who care about tech stuff and blogging in one of the coolest new places in Chicago?

Who: Folks from Feedburner, You, Me, VCs, bloggers and entrepreneurs.
What: An evening of fun mingling, product demos, and prizes
When: Thursday, July 6, 2006 from 6:30 to 9pm
Where: State Restaurant & Cafe in Lincoln Park in Chicago, Illinois
Why: To build a better connected community, to meet up to share ideas, and to have some fun.

Get the details by clicking on the title below. Leave your RSVP in the comments on the TechCocktail page.

If you’re anywhere near the Chicago, I’d sure love to meet you there. Let me know, if I should look for you — leave me word in the comments here or send me an email Liz at lizsun2@gmail.com.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

WordPress Theme and Plugin Challenge

June 25, 2006 by Liz

Meet David, at Blogging Pro

David Peralty at Blogging Pro is someone you might call a Blogging Evangelist. Blogging Pro keeps track of the latest news, particularly in the world of WordPress and Movable Type. They’re a resource for themes and hacks and tips for bloggers. Today’s post is a typical example. Click on the title to get the the article.

David has a deep interest in blogging and bloggers. He’s also a bit concerned.

Are You Up for a Challenge?

This week David and I exchanged emails. He told me about a challenge he’s laid down. He’s hoping to reinvigorate the WordPress community and perhaps encourage some new theme and plugin creators.

I recently posed a challenge on BloggingPro.com to WordPress theme and plugin creators in hopes of getting those sitting on the sidelines to get working on something new for WordPress. I was wondering if you would mention the challenge on your site, as many of the people that read your site might be those on the sidelines, looking for extra exposure, and posessing the talents to really produce something great.

I’m not only mentioning the challenge. I’m going to be talking about it, when I interview David in the next post about it.

You can read more about the challenge in this post at BloggingPro. While you’re there, bookmark the site. It’s a great reference for any blogger’s toolkit. Click on the title to get the the article.

David is one interesting, dedicated blogger. I think you’ll enjoy getting to know him.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Great Find: 2 Standalone Trackback Tools

June 24, 2006 by Liz

Trackback Troubles

A few months ago, I was having a problem with trackbacks. It occurred right after a server move. Everything seemed to be working, yet the trackbacks weren’t appearing. I found the situation somewhat distressing. What I was writing was important and incredibly cool — as everything we write is.

This week I am having a problem with my trackbacks again. It just started happening for apparent reason. I haven’t had the time to play detective, but I know the value of well-placed trackbacks.

Trackbacks show other writers that I’ve thought about what they’ve written. They offer my work on the same sujbect to another conversation. People notice trackbacks. Sometimes they even follow one home.

Being without my trackbacks is a lot like being without. [Read more…]

SOB Business Cafe 06-16-2006

June 16, 2006 by Liz

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the title shots to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

Mike Sigers at Simplenomics shares a seven-day plan to build a brand and customer relationships, to improve the blogosphere, and to make the world a better place. This one I printed out, put over my desk, on my bathroom mirror, inside my front door, next to my bed, and on my kitchen cabinet.

Ariane Benefit at Neat Living explains how clearing the clutter from our workspace not only pays off in productivity, it makes room for important new business to enter our work days.

Ben Yoskovitz is holding a Father’s Day Special at IGotNewsforYou. This might be news for you and for your dad too.

Rob at Jamdo has a great post outlining four crucial steps to making our blogs more attractive to readers — stickier.

Related ala carte selections include

Sidharja Qhaum at Jamloceng offers gamers a treat called “Alky,” a tool that converts a Windows EXE to MacOS or GNU/Linux.

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like.
No tips required. Comments appreciated.

Have a great weekend!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Great Find: 50 Best Firefox Powersurfing Hacks

June 14, 2006 by Liz

Yep!!! 50 One Place

Found all 50 in one place.

Great Find: 50 Best Firefox Extensions for Power Surfing
Type of Article: Resource for Firefox
Permalink: http://www.firefox.hk/?p=765
Target Audience: Every Firefox user

Content: This post is constantly updated so bookmark it. It’s due for an update soon. [Last update 02/05/06]

The categories include:

Control Firefox Tabs
Control Website Links
Control File Downloads
Control Webpage Behaviour & Navigation
Control Webpage Behaviour & Navigation

Also included are links to other Firefox sites.

Check it out by clicking the title shot below.

Thank you, Firefox, Hong Kong.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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