I recently began a project on Summerville Builders website using the Genesis Framework along with the Platinium to do the job.
HOW TO UPGRADE A SITE INTO A BLOG
To upgrade the Summerville Builder site, a site featuring home builders in Summerville, SC and the surrounding area, neighborhoods, current real estate and relocation info, the first step was installing a vanilla WordPress blog.
Next, upload both the Genesis framework/theme and the Platinum child theme.
At this point lots of configuration, and customizations began, but not simply using a bunch of plugins. Checking out the StudioPress community online I noticed a lot of advice to stick, where possible, to native WordPress features. For example, on the subject of switching from the standard blog search to a Google Custom Search (which gives a boost to Adsense revenue) the best advice I found was to incorporate the search box code where you wanted to place it (for example in a text widget in the sidebar) and build a page called ‘Search’ and put the search results code in the page (just avoid editing that in Visual Mode).
WHY UPGRADE A SITE INTO A BLOG?
Well, in this case there were 2 reasons … speed to site re-design and moving to the StudioPress framework. Unlike other Frameworks I’ve read about, StudioPress separate the works very sharply from the info you post and edit. So, for example, if you decide you want to override or add CSS there’s no need to make a child theme for your child theme. You simply edit your child theme’s style.css file. When your Genesis + child theme get updates your work is untouched. So, maybe the next update to the framework effects security and adds an SEO feature or two. These changes are made to core files that you won’t need to edit in order to change you blog.
Future Post: Genesis Hooks.
Posted in
Blogging by
George |
I recently posted several blogs, only to find after customizing them that several of them had comments closed, as I could see at the bottom:
“Comments are closed”
After going through WordPress Settings > Discussion and double-checking each check box was properly checked (or not) I searched and found this post: http://wordpress.org/support/topic/comments-are-closed-i-cant-open-them-and-there-are-no-universal-settings
STEP 1: Click to Enlarge
The post seemed helpful, but after turning off all plugins, switching back to the Twenty Ten (default) theme and repairing all tables in the WordPress database I was still staring at some “Comments are closed” notifications on some pages, while on others comments were open.
Following the original poster’s idea I went through and changed the comments to open via the WordPress database, but I still had other blogs to do, so I started hunting.
STEP 2: Click to Enlarge
I knew there was an option on the post to allow comments and pingbacks but couldn’t find it. After some digging around I noticed the Screen Options button on the admin bar at the top. Opening it I was rewarded with a checkbox for “Discussion” which was not checked. Naturally I checked the box, closed the panel and was rewarded with the option to allow comments and pingbacks with checkboxes!
STEP 3: Click to Enlarge
This may not be the fix for every case, but it sure helped me. Now I have a simpler way to visit each post and change its settings to get rid of the annoying “Comments are closed” message. There is another way to so this using SQL, but this is simpler and can be accomplished by bloggers and coders of all experience levels.
THE FIX
If you don’t feel like viewing the step-by-step screenshots, while you are logged in and editing a post go to the top, right and cick Screen Options and a dropdown will open. Make sure you check the Allow Comments check box and if you so desire you could also check the Allow Trackbacks and pingbacks on this page check box.
Tags: tips & hints Posted in
Blogging by
George |
We bought a 2000 Dodge Neon ES from Economy Cars in North Charleston, SC, a used car dealer, and signed the final paperwork earlier tonight. They were very busy with their Grand Opening but I finally got the paperwork signed and the car home in my driveway tonight.
2000 Dodge Neon ES Journal
As with many posts on this blog, I’m writing for my own benefit as well as hopefully for anyone else considering a similar purchase. This is our first used car purchase in probably 15 years and my disclaimer is that I AM NOT an experienced car buying consumer (as you’ll see reading below).
As you can see from the picture, our Neon is in fair/poor condition, and that’s part of what makes it such a great purchase. This car needs some real work done on it, so the asking price is lower (the Kelley Blue Book suggest retail price is below). Now I’m not some master wheeler and dealer on used cars, so when you read this, keep that in mind. I’m an average Joe when it comes to buying cars and I’m not trying to tell you I got a great deal.
Read the rest of 2000 Dodge Neon ES (Highline) Journal Entry #1
Tags: used car Posted in
Automobile by
George |
I don’t get to the WebMD site as often as I’d like, but today I found their “15 Fresh Brown Bag Lunch Ideas“, a great article there, and a must-read for people like me. I want a quick-to-make lunch so less of my lunch time is spent making or buying lunch. I also want something healthy (or even healthier) than the fast food I normally eat.
Here is the list of the 15 brown bag lunches plus other great ideas… just click the link to go to their site for more details. Their article is broken into 3 pages, and clicking the page link below will take you to the right one:
PAGE 1 – WebMD Bag Lunch Ideas
Pasta Lover’s Lunch Salad
Mediterranean Pita Pocket
Fruit and Cheese Plate
Peanut Butter Fun Pack
Everything Is Better on a Mini Bagel
PAGE 2 – WebMD Bag Lunch Ideas
Celebrate Lunch Salads
It’s a Wrap!
Noodle Soup Cups
Veggie Sushi
Fun Fried Rice
Talk About Taquitos
BBQ Chicken Sandwich
PAGE 3 – WebMD Bag Lunch Ideas
Muffin Mania
Tasty Spanakopita Triangles
Soy Much for Sandwiches
Thank you WebMD, I’ll sure be trying some of these great lunch ideas!
More lunch ideas
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Quick Meals by
George |
Tonight after work the family and I were trying to settle on a quick dinner. After all was decided and weighed we went for Subway. Now, you might be saying, “Subway? That’s gonna cost for a family of 4.” Normally you’d be right, but consider:
- ease-of-shopping, just drive down the street, order, carry home, and eat
- health for the price, if you choose well you’ll do a lot better than Fast Food
- Subway meals are often just a sub, some chips and a drink
- we already have drinks and chips at home, so we’re only buying subs
- instead of home-made subs, especially considering we don’t have sub ingredients at home right now, we save LOTS of shopping time
So the total for a family of 4 is less than what you’d pay at fast food, and we get a decent meal, that can be fairly healthy – especially if you choose your chips and drink with health in mind avoiding high fats, calories and salt.
Tags: dinner ideas Posted in
Food by
George |
