Expression Web Blog

Going back in time to 2007, Pat Geary and I wrote our first ebook about Launching a WordPress Blog using one’s own domain or sub-domain. WordPress has updated many versions since then all the way to 2.7.1 and we decided the time had come to rewrite our ebook so that’s what we have done.

Now available for download and completely free is:

Launching a WordPress Blog Ebook Edition 2.0

We cover the following:

1. Getting started with a WordPress Blog
2. Requirements for Installing WordPress – Before you get started make sure your host gives you the tools you need. One host that we know of who does not is 1and1 UK Home packages. Did you read to the bottom of the page?
3. Installing Database -
4. Download WordPress
5. Configure wp-config-sample file – Did you read the instructions all of the way through? Did you rename the file?
6. Configure a FTP Client – If you are already using an ftp client that works, it is not necessary to download FileZilla. Use the one you are comfortable with, but make sure if you’re using another ftp client to set it to ASCII for the WordPress installation
7. Installing WordPress –
8. Setting up WordPress – Did you read to the bottom of the page? Do not try and install a new theme yet. Work with the default one until you have finished setting up.
   Options Permalinks – If your url looks like http://your-domain.com/hello-world.php rather than http://your-domain.com/?p123 you followed the instructions. Ready for the next step?
9. Configure WordPress Categories – Did you follow all of the instructions to the bottom of the page? Don’t worry; you can add more categories later.
10. Setting WordPress Preferences – Read it all!
11. Installing WordPress Themes – Now you are finally here. Read it all to the very bottom. It will take you longer to decide on choosing a theme than anything else. Once you have installed the theme, take the time to check how it looks in the various browsers, does it have a horizontal scroll? Does it validate? Do you know enough to tweak it until it works like it is supposed to or would you be better off choosing another one?
12. Creating SEO Titles in WordPress – Did you follow all of the steps? Did you read to the BOTTOM of the page? Does your page title look like it is supposed to?
13. Disable NoFollow Attribute in WordPress – If you don’t read to the very bottom, you will miss the bit about writing posts. After all, that is what your blog is for.

1. WordPress Essentials
   1. WordPress Plugins
      1. Akismet Plugin – If you don’t want to be plagued by spam, read and configure this plugin.
      2. Sitemap Plugin – Read all the way to the bottom or you will end up with the word category beside all of your categories.
      3. WordPress Database Backup – An easy way to backup your database.
      4. WordPress Ready Contact Form – Do you want your readers to be able to contact you? Then you need a form for them to use. Don’t skip this part.
      5. How Trackback and Pingback works in WordPress Learn how they work, how to use them and when to use them.
      6. Moving a WordPress Blog – More advanced but someday you may want to move from a sub-domain to a domain all its own.
      7. Moving Servers with WordPress – This tutorial is written for those of you who have already upgraded your installation of WordPress to Version 2.7. 1
      8. Upgrading WordPress Program – Read and implement carefully, WordPress regularly updates and improves the program, so be ready with the instructions at hand.
      9. WordPress API – You will need this for configuring your Akismet Spam Plugin.
      10. WordPress Tips
2. Desktop Blogging Clients – These are more advanced topics for you to explore, if you find you don’t like the WordPress interface to post your blogs, these desktop blogging clients are a safe alternative.
3. Windows Live Writer
   1. Setting Up Windows Live Writer
   2. Creating Posts
   3. Inserting Images
   4. Options
   5. Publishing
4. BlogDesk
   1. Installing BlogDesk
   2. BlogDesk Configuration
   3. Creating Posts in BlogDesk
   4. Inserting Images in Posts
   5. Publishing with BlogDesk
   6. BlogDesk Options
   7. BlogDesk Extras

 Steve Guttman and Tyler Simpson are presenting about Expression Web at Mix09  and will have some sneak peaks about future of EW3.0

Microsoft Expression Web: No Platform Left Behind MIX09-C03F

“Come learn how to use Expression Web to build resilient standards-based sites for use across a wide range of browsers and platforms. Hear about the current version of Expression Web and also some sneak peeks at future work that will make creating great sites even easier for designers. With a focus on workflow, you will also see how well Expression Web integrates with ASP.NET and PHP.”

The Microsoft XTeam mention that it would be a good idea to keep an eye on their blog and the Microsoft Expression Web product site for the latest news concerning Expression Web 3.0 Beta which is in development as Steve and Tyler mention above, there will be some sneak peaks at Mix09 so stay tuned

24 Hour Virtual Event for the World Developer Community on April 1st, 2009

More than 95 live sessions on current and emerging technologies in developer tools, mobility, Windows, Office/Sharepoint and Web development (that means Expression Web too)

Make Microsoft history and join this first ever 24-hour day of technology learning. If you cannot attend don’t worry after the event there will be access to all learning sessions on-demand. Whats-more apply what you learn with an evaluation copy of Visual Studio. Registration for Techdays 2009

If you are wondering how it will work then take a look at the Techdays agenda Look over the Techdays Sessions  but keep coming back as sessions are added daily.

So far there is just one Expression Web related Session

Beauty & the Beast: A Practical Approach to Standard Based and Beauty Web Designs

“In this session we will try to realized the importance of design and implement not only beautiful designs in the facade but inside too, with a robust and standards based code using (X)HTML to structure, CSS for design and JavaScript for behaviour. We are going to deep into the principles of Web standards designing and coding with Expression Web 2.0 in practical demos that demonstrate the powerful of the tools in this Authoring application to improve the User Experience in (X)HTML sites, and demonstrating that even the most complicated interfaces, based on XML data, could be made easy using XSLT code auto generated by the tools. Finally we will see in action XSLT + CSS to get the most of data presentation to the users using Data Views in different ways, using filters and conditional styles.”

Level: 300
Session Type: Live Session

Submit Sessions – Call for Content
Are you passionate about what you do? Would you like to spread the word about what you know? Then submit a session for consideration. Note that does not gauarantee your session will be accepted for this event.

Betsy Weber of Techsmith has 10 one-day tickets to the SXSW Interactive Festival to give away to the first ten people that ask.

• Saturday, March 14, Noon – 6pm
• Sunday, March 15, Noon – 6pm
• Monday, March 16, Noon – 4pm

You can email her or contact her via Twitter ( @betsyweber or @techsmith ).

She would also like to know if you would like to meet up. Find out more about the offer at Techsmith’s Virtual Lounge

SXSW Interactive Festival

“The SXSW Interactive Festival features five days of exciting panel content and amazing parties. Attracting digital creatives as well as visionary technology entrepreneurs, the event celebrates the best minds and the brightest personalities of emerging technology. Whether you are a hard-core geek, a dedicated content creator, a new media entrepreneur, or just someone who likes being around an extremely creative community, SXSW Interactive is for you!”

When SXSW finishes she is headed over to Microsoft MIX09 – more about MIX09 in a later post.

Sitepoint are offering five of their books for the price of one at $149.75 $29.95 All proceeds (100%) will go to the Victorian BushFire Fund in Australia.

Their current total is $75.000 see if you can help them raise it to $100.000

Hurry though their Sale ends February, Friday 13th – Five for one books from SitePoint

All books are in PDF format ONLY

My five selections are:

1. The PHP Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks, 2nd Edition

2. The Principles of Beautiful Web Design

3. The Photoshop Anthology: 101 Web Design Tips, Tricks & Techniques – PDF Only

4. No Nonsense XML Web Development With PHP

5. The Art & Science Of CSS

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tinaclarke and tell me your choices