Bloggers love WordPress! If you′re ready to start using this freeblogging software, WordPress For Dummies, 2nd Edition is just what you and your blog need to make a splash.Professional blog designer Lisa Sabin–Wilson shows you how to use allthe latest upgrades to WordPress and helps you decide whether to use the WordPress.com hosted service or self–host your blog with WordPress.org. Whether you′re just venturing into the blogosphere oryou want to shift an existing blog to WordPress, WordPress For Dummies,2nd Edition will help.

Explore theme development and learn where to find free WordPress themes Extend WordPress through plug–ins,CSS, custom fields, and more Find out about archiving, interacting withreaders through comments, tracking back, and handling spam Get thescoop on domain registration, Web hosting providers, basic tools likeFTP, and more Create a unique blog theme and presentation by using template tags with CSS Sign up for WordPress.com, log in, set options,and create a profile Install WordPress.org, set up a MySQL database,explore RSS feeds, and organize a blogroll Discover the secrets of creating a blog that draws readers Get tips on wonderful widgets,upgrades, and plugins you can add to make your blog extra cool Learnhow to use the Dashboard, manage comments, and make permalinks work with your Web server With WordPress For Dummies, 2nd Edition on hand, it′s easy to make the most of the free software and build a blog that stands out in a crowd.

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Discover why bloggers love WordPress and make your blog the best it can beBlogs are as much a part of life today as the evening newspaper was fifty years ago, and for much the same reason: Inquiring minds want to know. WordPress powers some of the most popular blogs on the Web, and with this guide to help, it can work for you, too. Here′s what WordPress does, how to set it up and use it, and some cool bells and whistles to make your blog stand out.

• Pick your flavor — decide whether to use the WordPress.com hosted service orself–host your blog with WordPress.org
• Customization — discover CSS and template tags and how to use them to create your own unique style
• Blogging 101 — find out about archiving, interacting with readersthrough comments, tracking back, and handling spam
• Host with the most — get the scoop on domain registration, Web hosting providers, basic tools like FTP, and more
• Do it yourself — install WordPress.org, set up a MySQL database, explore RSS feeds, and organize a blogroll
• Beef up your blog — insert audio, video, images, and photos
• Think theme — discover where to find WordPress themes, explore variousoptions, and work with template tags to create a unique look

Open the book and find:

• Advice for creating a blog that draws readers
• Tips on managing comments, trackbacks, and spam
• How to use the Dashboard
• Wonderful widgets and plugins to add
• How to make permalinks work with your Web server
• The standard templates and how to tweak them
• Ten popular WordPress themes
• Where to find help when you need it

GO BEYOND THE BLOGSmashing WordPressshows you how to utilize the power of the WordPress platform, and provides a creative spark to help you build WordPress–powered sites that go beyond the obvious. You will learn the core concepts used to build just about anything in WordPress, resulting in fast deployments and greater design flexibility.

Inside, WordPress expert ThordDaniel Hedengren takes you beyond the blog and shows you how WordPress can serve as a CMS, a photo gallery, an e–commerce site, and more.

YOU WILL LEARN:

• THE ANATOMY OF A WP INSTALL AND HOW WORDPRESS ACTUALLY WORKS
• HOW TO BUILD BEAUTIFUL WORDPRESS THEMES – INCLUDING CHILD THEMES
• HOW TO CREATE CUSTOM LOGIN FORMS AND ADMIN THEMES
• HOW TO USE THE LOOP TO CONTROL CONTENT, AND EVEN USE ALTERNATIVES TO THE LOOP
• HOW TO INTEGRATE THEME OPTIONS
• HOW TO BUILD PLUGINS – INCLUDING WIDGET FUNCTIONALITY
• HOW TO BUILD YOUR WORDPRESS PROJECTS FOR SEO
• INTEGRATE WORDPRESS WITH THE SOCIAL WEB
• HOW TO CREATE AMAZING NAVIGATION
• HOW TO USE CONDITIONAL CONTROL ELEMENTS