Archive for the ‘Web’ Category
Facebook Timeline… for Pages!
The timeline we all adore (or despise) on our PERSONAL Facebook profile’s have now been moved over to pages!
Right now you can set it up in preview mode to get a feel for it before it’s rolled out no matter what on March 30th.
Here’s a list of some changes I’ve noticed.
No More Landing Page
That’s right. The fancy “Welcome” tab we’ve all worked so hard on? Obsolete! The tab will still exist but now you aren’t able to define a “landing” page.
Cover Page Image
You know how you have a header image on your blog? Same concept. The image dimensions are 850px by 315px. Make it pretty! It’s the first thing people will see now so if you are a blogger with a fan page, try to have it be consistent with your blog header.
Apparently, you are not supposed to have any call to action’s in the cover page image. A call to action would be something like, “LIKE this page!” or “Make sure to subscribe to ALL my various social media stuff!”. If you’re a store, you aren’t allowed to put special pricing or coupon codes in the cover page image either. It’s meant to be pretty basically and that’s it.
Sticky “Pinned” Posts
You can choose a post to be “sticky” (which Facebook is calling a pin) for up to 7 days at the top of the page.
Messaging
People can now contact you DIRECTLY via Facebook’s messaging feature. This could be good for those of us with smaller more intimate pages but I fear for those of you with LARGE followings (with trolls and the like) this could be potentially bad. Luckily, it’s an OPTION which means you can turn it off.
Activity Log
This is a nifty feature! It let’s you (the admin) see every post AND every MENTION of the post by a Facebook user.
So will you be embracing the change? I’d love it if you’d link YOUR FB fan page if it’s using the timeline feature!
Check out my Facebook Fan Page for OSN!
archived under: Web
WordPress Plugins I Currently Use
As of today, these are all the active WordPress plugins I have here at OSN. Going to give a brief explanation as to what they do / why I use them.
Akismet: By default this is included with the basic WordPress installation. It’s fantastic for blocking SPAM comments and trackbacks.
Broken Link Checker: This plugin checks EVERY SINGLE LINK in EVERY SINGLE POST and sees if it’s a valid link or if it’s “broken” (gives an error message like a 404 for example). It runs in the background so you really can just ignore it for the most part. It’s really good if you’ve been blogging for a few years because that super awesome blog you posted about in 2003 probably doesn’t exist today.
CommentLuv: A great feature for those who comment on your blog, it permits them to automatically link to their last blog post at the bottom of your comment AND it’s super easy to style within your CSS.
Comment Reply Notification: If you’ve ever left a comment at OSN you know I’ll 99% of the time respond to it. When that happens you automatically get an email saying that not only was your comment was responded to but the content of that response as well! You can set it (as I have) so this works only for admins OR works for everyone who comments. Very neat.
Compact Archives: You can see this plugin in action on my archives page. What it does is make a small and attractive year/month display for your past posts!
Contact Form 7: You can see this in action on my contact page. It’s super easy to use, super easy to implement, and I don’t receive ANY spam from it like I used to from other forms (plugins and hand-coded).
Custom Post Limits: A really neat plugin that allows you to change the NUMBER of posts displayed on the index, archives, category, and so on pages.
Facebook Like Thumbnail: This plugin grabs the FIRST image in your post for the Facebook thumbnail (when someone shares your post on FB).
Google XML Sitemaps: This plugin creates a sitemap that allows for better indexing and searches from Google and other search engines.
Greg’s High Performance SEO: A really good SEO plugin, has a good amount of options to really customize how it functions for YOU.
Outbrain: Simply put, this is an alternative to LinkWithin.
RSS Footer: I’ve mentioned this plugin before in past posts but it’s really neat! If you subscribe to my rss feed you’ll see at the bottom of each post, a little blurb and my photo. Just a great way to remind people of who you are, include links back to your site or other links.
Twitterlink Comments: Adds an additional input on the comment form for your visitor to enter their twitter handle to be displayed in their comment!
Yet Another Related Posts Plugin: A plugin that does what it says! It displays (via a customizable template) links to posts that have similar content to your current post!
Share with me the plugins YOU currently use on your blog platform! Any you couldn’t do without? Any plugins that were an epic fail? Share!
archived under: Blogging
Answering Your Questions: Blogging
By Ronni: How does one TEST the WP themes without making it go live or taking the site down forever with maintenance mode?
I never ever use maintenance mode. I test themes one of two ways.
- I run WordPress on my Windows 7 laptop — How to Install WP on Win7
- After uploading the theme to your wp-content/themes folder, log into your WP dashboard and go to Appearance -> Themes. See where it says Preview? RIGHT CLICK that and have it open in a new tab/window (whatever you normally prefer). Then you can make changes in a semi-live state that only YOU the admin can see!
By Ronni: I am planning to use a very customizable theme… but do you have any tips for someone who is branching out?
Before starting to think about design, focus on the backend. Make sure you have your permalinks set up properly. Get Akismet set up properly (by default it’s uploaded with WP, but you need to activate it). Set up all the plugins you’ll need. I’ve written quite a few posts on plugins but here a couple good suggestions:
I also suggest finding a good SEO plugin and then focus on the design. Too many clashing colors or patterns are way too distracting for the reader. Not having enough white space between the content area and the sidebar makes it hard to define any one area.
Figure out what the purpose of your blog is. Generally I find people fall into one of two areas. Those who have it as a basic online diary or those who (like me) do it to help others and have a specific amount of traffic/subscribers/numbers in general. I’ve found that generally it’s hard to do both. Also finding a niche will help when it comes to traffic.
By Lise: Any general advice on running a blog? Etiquette? Ways to boost followers?
Yes! I’ve written about this a ton actually!
- 5 Ways to Improve Your Blog
- Q&A Part One
- 4 More Ways to Improve Your Blog
- Archive: OSN Blogging Category
archived under: Web
To Monetize or Not To Monetize…
What made you decide to monetize (have ads, sponsors, paid reviews — getting a product in return for an honest review, etc) on your blog? If you chose to NOT monetize your blog, why not?
Very curious to your responses so if you could share/like/stumble/RT all that jazz, it would be appreciated!
archived under: Blogging
Authentic Blogging
Nothing like your server having issue upon issue to make one scared to blog!
Life is slower but more hectic. I’m not exactly busy. Actually, I’m not busy at ALL. My morning consists of hauling my husband to work and then hauling our oldest son to school. The toddler and I come home where he proceeds to sleep until it’s time to pick his big brother up. I usually end up napping with him.
So during all of this downtime, I’ve been a bit stir crazy. I went ahead and purchased StarryMom.com which really just redirects to OSN, renewed the OSN domain name, I even joined a photography project, Family Joy, and purchased a new lens, the Nikon 35mm f/1.8.
I started thinking about how I’ve been blogging for over ten years now and the ten year anniversary of OSN is coming up in November and how I’ve gone from what I consider “Authentic Blogging” to “scared of trolls, scared people won’t like me” blogging.
As a lot of people can attest to, I cuss. A lot. A WHOLE lot. However I try and refrain from posting in my native naughty tongue because I worry I’m going to offend someone. Not to mention avoiding a ton of topics for fear of offending people or coming across like an uneducated dimwit. So am I being authentic when I write only sweet and lovely things? Or refrain from bitching?
I’m told to write what I’m passionate about. Well I doubt my endless morning road rage would be appreciated daily in your reader or my waxing poetic for my love of anything labeled “Pumpkin Spice”.
So how do I get back to the blogger I was ten or even five years ago? How did I go from open, honest, and rambling to shy, quiet, and only telling you how to make your blog suck less?
It all goes back to being your authentic self really. Blogging 101. Write as you speak. Just with better punctuation and shiny pretty photos. I just need to take my own advice.
Do you blog as your authentic self? Do you write as you speak? Or do you try and cater to your niche or to avoid confrontation?
archived under: Blogging
WordPress and Design Tidbits
I’ve had a few comments lately asking how to make a WordPress blog mobile and how I do my fancy comments form, so I’m sharing my tips and tricks!
Mobile Version
This is really the easiest to do because all you have to do is install a plugin! Here are my recommendations:
- Wapple Architect: This is the plugin I currently use, I haven’t tweaked it TOO much but I do appreciate the ability to really go in and customize the features and CSS.
- WordPress Mobile Pack: I’ve used this plugin in the past, it’s simple to use and the default theme works well enough. What’s nice is you can add your analytics / stats coding and it will track who vists the mobile version of your blog!
- WordPress Mobile by Mobify: I used this for a brief time and although I LOVE the concept, it can be a bit complicated to use and customize.
How I Made My Awesome Comment Form
After creating the images in Photoshop to fit and work with your theme, it just takes a bit of CSS and tweaking of the comments.php template to make your comment form fabulous!
The CSS
#prettycomment textarea {background:transparent;border:none;position:relative; margin: 30px 10px 0 120px; width:360px; height: 200px;color:#574a49;}
#prettycomment {background: url(http://onestarrynight.com/wp-content/themes/june/img/comment-box.png) no-repeat; width: 541px; height: 252px;}
.prettyinput {background: url(http://onestarrynight.com/wp-content/themes/june/img/input.png) no-repeat; width: 209px; height: 40px; padding-bottom:6px;float:left;margin-left: 40px;}
.prettyinput input {background:transparent; border:none;margin: 5px 0 0 12px; width:175px; height: 25px;color:#574a49; text-align:left; font-size:14px; overflow:hidden}
.prettylabel label {float:left;color:#574a49; font-size:18px; margin-left: 8px; margin-top:8px;}
.prettysubmit {color:#5e3269; font-size:24px; }
The Comment Form
This bit of code you place in your comments.php template, replacing the current form. Easiest way is just to replace everything from <form> to </form>.
<form action="<?php echo get_option('siteurl'); ?>/wp-comments-post.php" method="post" id="commentform">
<?php if ( is_user_logged_in() ) : ?>
<p><?php printf(__(‘Logged in as %s.’), ‘<a href=“‘.get_option(‘siteurl’).’/wp-admin/profile.php”>’.$user_identity.’</a>’); ?> <a href=”<?php echo wp_logout_url(get_permalink()); ?>” title=”<?php _e(‘Log out of this account’) ?>”><?php _e(‘Log out »’); ?></a></p>
<?php else : ?>
<div class=“prettyinput”><input type=“text” name=“author” id=“author” value=”<?php echo $comment_author; ?>” size=“22” tabindex=“1” /></div>
<div class=“prettylabel”><label for=“author”><?php _e(‘Name’); ?> <?php if ($req) _e(‘(required)’); ?></label></div>
<div class=“clears”></div>
<div class=“prettyinput”><input type=“text” name=“email” id=“email” value=”<?php echo $comment_author_email; ?>” size=“22” tabindex=“2” /></div>
<div class=“prettylabel”><label for=“email”><?php _e(‘Mail’);?> <?php if ($req) _e(‘(required)’); ?></label></div>
<div class=“clears”></div>
<div class=“prettyinput”><input type=“text” name=“url” id=“url” value=”<?php echo $comment_author_url; ?>” size=“22” tabindex=“3” /></div>
<div class=“prettylabel”><label for=“url”><?php _e(‘Website’); ?></label></div>
<div class=“clears”></div>
<div class=“prettyinput”><input type=“text” name=“atf_twitter_id” id=“atf_twitter_id” value=”” size=“22” tabindex=“3” /></div>
<div class=“prettylabel”><label for=“atf_twitter_id”>Twitter ID</label></div>
<div class=“clears”></div>
<?php endif; ?>
<! – <p><small><strong>XHTML:</strong> <?php printf(__(‘You can use these tags: %s’), allowed_tags()); ?></small></p> – >
<br />
<div id=“prettycomment” style=“position:relative;margin:0 auto;”>
<textarea name=“comment” id=“comment” cols=“30” rows=“5” tabindex=“4”></textarea>
</div>
<br />
<div class=“prettysubmit”><input name=“submit” type=“image” src=“http://onestarrynight.com/wp-content/themes/june/img/submit-comment.png” id=“submit” tabindex=“5” value=”<?php esc_attr_e(‘Submit Comment’); ?>” />
<input type=“hidden” name=“comment_post_ID” value=”<?php echo $id; ?>” />
</div>
<br />
<?php comment_id_fields(); ?>
<?php do_action(‘comment_form’, $post->ID); ?>
</form>
I hope that helps, if you have any questions on the CSS or form, let me know.
Add Social Media and Share Buttons to Your Posts
As some of you know, I think it’s just downright WRONG to use a plugin when you can get the same end result using a small bit of code, using a ton of unnecessary plugins bloats your WordPress installation and can make it a bit slow. If I do use a plugin, I’ll link it below.
So here are the bits of code I use for the RT & Share area on my comments page!
TweetMeme
<?php echo tweetmeme(); ?>
Facebook Share
<script>var fbShare = {size: 'small',}</script>
<script src="http://widgets.fbshare.me/files/fbshare.js"></script>
StumbleUpon
<script src="http://www.stumbleupon.com/hostedbadge.php?s=1"></script>
Tumblr
<a href="http://www.tumblr.com/share" title="Share on Tumblr" style="display:inline-block; text-indent:-9999px; overflow:hidden; width:129px; height:20px; background:url('http://platform.tumblr.com/v1/share_3.png') top left no-repeat transparent;">Share on Tumblr</a>
Pinterest
Since the code seems to be customized per the person’s account, you can get that from this link, Pinterest Goodies.
Google +1 Button
Inbetween your <head></head> tags in your header.php file, place this snippet:
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js"></script>
Place this snippet where you want the actual button to appear:
<g:plusone></g:plusone>
Like on Facebook
<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=<?php echo urlencode(get_permalink($post->ID)); ?>&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:60px"></iframe>
As always, if you have any issues, let me know!
If you ever have any WordPress or design questions you’d like answered, feel free to contact me!
archived under: Web
I Don’t Comment Because I’m Scared
After I wrote about my feelings towards blogging and social media, I realized I wasn’t alone! Not only did other people feel the same but we also shared something else. The fear of commenting on other blogs.
For me, I feel like I’m going to say the wrong thing, babble, or have the comment be ignored. That my comment will be taken the wrong way or sometimes, I feel as though the blogger will not care if I comment or not.
So how do I try to combat this? I comment MORE OFTEN!
I also realized that once I became friends with other bloggers, we mutually stopped commenting on each others blogs. Generally because we’d discuss the post over the phone, instant message, or all the other social bits online. That’s another thing I try to work on, making sure to comment on their posts, even if we discuss it at a later time because generally, comments are important.
People have a public blog to get feedback. From something as small as what to make for dinner or as large as a major life change. We all crave that knowledge that we are being HEARD. That what we are saying and doing, matters somehow.
When I wrote my post, Disappearing Socially (online anyway), and discussed how strongly I felt about numbers, really what I want is that connection.
I’ve been blogging for over 10 years now, 9 1/2 of those years here at OSN, before that at a shared domain, SpunkySprite.com (not sure if ANYONE remebers that one!). I started because I wanted to get feedback on what I wrote. To know I’m not talking to the void. That I’m helping. That I’m of use to someone. I’m sure all of that stems from issues in my past. The easiest way for me to see that in action is by stats. My twitter followers, FB fans, RSS subscribers, visitors a day, etc. I can then quantify by that number. The larger the number, the more helpful I feel I am, the more USEFUL I am.
Deep I know.
So I ask you this, why DON’T you comment on other blogs?
archived under: Blogging
What To Do (and not do!) On Your Facebook Fan Page
I’m going to assume you already have an lovely Facebook fan page (that also has a fabulous landing page!).
Here are my suggestions on how to use your fan page effectively (and what NOT to do).
Not So Good
- DON’T use your page to just have text link to your posts. There is no point, you will not get more traffic, and people will “hide” you on their FB feed.
- DON’T use your fan page to link ONLY to OTHER people’s posts. We want to interact with you and your posts, not a stream from CNN, Google, and your Google Reader.
- DON’T force people to “like” your page by making it a “term” of your contest or promotion. They will unlike or “hide” your page the moment the contest is over. It also makes you seem like you care more about numbers than actually valuing your fans.
- DON’T complain all the time about not having enough “likes” and make it an excuse as to why you don’t do more with your page. Those 2 fans you have will feel like you don’t appreciate them or their time.
- DON’T use your page to put down others or to set up smear campaigns. Being a bully is not something to be proud of.
Ultra Hardcore Awesome Do’s
- DO connect your fan page to twitter! By using the FB app, FB to Twitter, anything you post on your fan page will cross-post to your twitter account which in turn, gets you MORE traffic and sometimes MORE likes on your fan page.
- DO interact with your fans! Ask open-ended questions, RESPOND to their comments in a timely manner, and appreciate them! Remember, your FB fan page is not an RSS feed but a COMMUNITY.
- DO post frequently but be careful, posting every hour or more can be overwhelming to a person and they may “unlike” or hide your page from their feed.
- DO utilize Facebook Applications! Some examples are: Etsy, Twitter for Pages, Flickr for Pages, and YouTube.
- DO offer “extras”. It could be photos or video you didn’t have room for on your post, or even perhaps a contest or promotion!
- DO share your latest blog post! Even better if it has an image,because FB will pull it as a thumbnail!
- DO pay attention to the TIME OF DAY you post! If you’re in the United States, posting on your wall after midnight will garner LESS views / comments / interaction than a post at 8am or 8pm for example.
Go check out my FB fan page and by all means, link to yours in the comments!
archived under: Web
Create a Facebook Landing Page Using iFrames
Facebook decided to up and change just about EVERYTHING when it came to fan pages so here is a NEW hardcore awesome tutorial on how to create a fabulous landing page, like I have on OSN’s FB fan page!
I am going to assume you already have a facebook fan page (and you really should go and make a vanity URL, just make sure 25 people are “liking” you first!).
How to add the Static HTML: iFrame Tabs application to your page
- Make sure you are logged into facebook.
- Go to the Static HTML: iFrame Tabs page.
- Click “Add to my Page”
- A lovely window should pop up with all the pages you are an Admin of. Click “Add to Page” next to the page you want to make awesome.
Customize the New Welcome Tab
- Now go back to your fan page and click the Welcome “tab” on the left sidebar.
- The great thing is that you can now use javascript, link to an outside page, and more by using the iFrames protocol.
- Put your glorious XHTML or whatever you want into the top box and leave the bottom box blank.
- Now we want this to be our landing page for non-fans. So go back to your fan page and click “Edit Page”.
I know it looks like a lot of steps but really, it’s quite easy! The hard part is figuring out what you WANT on your landing page!
To help, here’s mine up for grabs! Download my FB Landing Page!
Now, in the comments, share YOUR Facebook Fan Page! Landing page or not, I want to become YOUR fan as well!
If you have any questions, need help, whatever it may be, feel free to ask!
archived under: Web
Favorite WordPress Plugins for Early April 2011
Here are a few WordPress plugins I am loving lately!
1. Instagram for WordPress
I adore this app for my iPhone (I’m starrymom on it!) and was thrilled to find a plugin that would let me showcase the photos I’ve shared on it!
2. LinkWithin
See those thumbnails under each post suggesting another post to look at? Yep, all from this plugin! It really helps with keeping your site “sticky” and brings more readership!
3. PostRank
Although I don’t use the widget on my sidebar, I love seeing the stats in my WP dashboard showing me the “reach” of each of my posts.
archived under: Web
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