Wordpress Website 101    

(This is a draft in progress by Jan 9 2011)

Week1

1. What is wordpress?

2. Take a look at a few typical wordpress sites and also the ones that don't look like wordpress sites 

(Artist Portfolio, E commerce site..)

http://wordpress.org/showcase/

3. How to Install wordpress

(1) Easy way: http://www.siteground.com/tutorials/wordpress/wordpress_installation.htm

(2) DIY way: http://www.siteground.com/tutorials/wordpress/wordpress_manual_installation.htm

(3) Local install for those who are interested (LINK)

4. Voila! Our first Wordpress Blog

5. Dashboard

- After finish installing, let's take a look at Dashboard

- How to change between themes: Where to find nice themes (There are free themes, and paid ones..)

- How to install plugins

6. Write our first blog post - Post, Page, Categories, Images upload.. etc

7. How to set Permalinks, User roles

Assignment for week1 

Come up with a project Idea. 

Install wordpress, install a theme you want, write your first blog, if you didn't get a chance to do it during the session

Week2

1. Why is my recent post always on top? 

How do I make a post under certain category not appear on the main homepage?

(a.k.a Let's learn how to modify the theme)

http://www.brighthub.com/internet/web-development/articles/33502.aspx

2. Get acquainted with the structure of a theme

3. Understand Template Hierarchy

4. Take the default theme template and understand what some functions do in the templates. 

- Wordpress is written in PHP. What is PHP/HTML?

- Go over a few important built-in wordpress functions 

- Where to find what we need: The beauty of copying and pasting

Assignment for week2

Take a theme and modify it to meet your needs

(ex: Change the header image, change the order of post appearing, make certain category not appearing on the main home)

Week3

1. Understand StyleSheet: What is CSS and what can we do with it? 

2. Go over a few style sheet language: http://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp

3. Change the default theme's design using css

Assignment for week3

Realize some visual design change on your site

Week4
1. The power of plugins - Truly extending the wordpress

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/

2. Get acquainted with a few useful plugins

Assignment for week4

Use plugins to extend your site.

Week5
Use of customfield +@

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/05/13/10-custom-fields-hacks-for-wordpress/

Assignment for week5

More development on your site. Prepare the final presentation.

Week6
Questions +@

How to back up wordpress site

Assignment for week6

Presentation