Blackbox Blog Just another rambling blog

Integrating Social Media on your website

Just got done launching the new Viva! Consult website.  Denise and I made a little video explaining how we tied in all her social media profiles into her website.  Check it out:


Writing Posts and Pages in Wordpress

Where to log in?

Once you have your Wordpress blog installed, you need to log in to the WordPress administration area where you can write posts and pages.  To log in the WP admin panel type /wp-admin at the end of your domain.

http://www.yourdomainname.com/wp-admin

Writing a post in WordPress

Writing posts and pages is the core activity in WP. You can start writing by clicking the Add New button located in the Posts menu:

You can then add text, images and other content. Once you’re ready, the new post can be published just by clicking the Publish button.  If you want to see what your posts looks like before you publish just click on the Preview button.  You can also save your draft without publishing by clicking on the Save Draft button.

Creating pages in WordPress

Creating individual pages in WordPress is quite similar to writing a post. You should simply click Add New in the Pages menu.

write page

When you are ready with your new page, click Publish to save it.


Simple online store with Big Cartel

I was working with a couple of different scripts to set up a simple paypal store for a couple of area54 tees I want to be able to sell online.  All the ones I tried were either too complicated or just too cumbersome to enter product pictures, item information and price.  After a couple of wasted hours of trying different things I just said screw it and went to Big Cartel and signed up for their free service. (if you have less than 5 items it’s free).  You can’t do much customization to the layout or add additional pictures but if you just have a couple of tees like I have, then it’s really a dream little program.  Check out the store for area54 tees


Increase Wordpress memory limit

If your Wordpress installation gets too big a common error message is the “Fatal Error: Allowed memory size…” error.

This error message is a result of Wordpress exceeding it’s predetermined memory limit. Too many large plugins or too much content on your blog or website will trigger this error message.

By going into your wp-settings.php file on your sever you can easily fix this.

Wordpress sets its memory limits within the wp-settings.php file. All that has to be done is change the memory limit from “32M” to “64M”.

Here’s what you need to do.:

  • Open wp-settings.php in a code editor or notepad. This file is in the root directory of your Wordpress installation
  • Change the “32″ to “64″
  • Save the file and FTP it to your server
  • If 64 isn’t enough then try 128

Another setting you can change is in the wp-config.php file.   Add: define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘64M’);  right below <?php at the top of the file.


Free Sketching and Wireframing kit

When I’m building a wireframe in illustrator for my customers I’m always creating new elements and forms for specific projects.  Not anymore.  Now I’m using this wireframing kit that has pretty much everything you need.  It consist of form elements, icons, indicators, feedback messages, tooltips, navigation elements, image placeholders, embedded videos, sliders and common ad banners.

Here is a preview of what it looks like: