WordPress is for Lovers

February 24, 2011

WordPress 3.1 is Out! Upgrade!!!

WordPress 3.1 is out! Upgrade! I'm so proud of being involved in this cycle. I was able to get involved in the UI Group and contribute this time around. If you've upgraded, go to your user and hit the blue admin theme! you'll see my contribution: a fresh new light blue upgrade. :) I feel so privileged that I was able to work with the UI group to make this change. It feels so good to be able to contribute back to the incredible platform that I love so much.

blue admin

While there are many awesome new features in WordPress 3.1 (you can read the post from Matt here) one of my favorites is internal linking.

Here is an awesome video made by Jon Cave that illustrates the process.

Road to WordPress 3.1 from Jon on Vimeo.

Thank You to everyone who helps make WordPress better!!!
sara

January 12, 2011

2010 – the year of WordPress

2010 has been an incredible year. It had its ups and downs. some parts were really hard and others just joyous! I've met some incredible people this year and got plugged into a great community that surrounds the very platform that this blog (and my livelihood) is based on: WordPress. Its been quite the journey. I've stumbled into great opportunities that led me to go many places and meet many new friends.

1/8-9 - WordCamp Atlanta

(Post on my talk: WordPress and Your Brand)

5/1-2 - WordCamp San Francisco

(I just went to this one: Recap Post1, Post2)

8/20-22 - WordCamp Savannah

(Post on my talk: Customizing WordPress themes / Child Themes)

9/18-19 - WordCamp Birmingham

(Post on my talk: Beyond the System Font: Advanced Web Typography) Other Post

10/16-17 - WordCamp NYC

(Post on my talk: Typography and Your Theme)

In conclusion: 2010 rocked my WordPress world. Thank you to everyone who has mentored me and guided me in the word of WordPress. And, absolute special thanks to those who contribute in any way to the release and improvement of this incredible software. - sara

December 15, 2010

For The Love of WordCamp / Speaking at WordCamp Phoenix

Over the past year and a half, I've dived into the WordPress community and have attended/spoke at various WordCamps. I am just so thrilled to be a part of this incredible community and even more thrilled that I get to share what I have learned and learn from others who are sharing. Growing with WordPress can't get better than this. The people that attend and speak at WordCamps are incredibly talented and I feel so blessed to meet, learn from, and help them in whatever way I can.

Some of these people I have gotten to know at various WordCamps over the past year and can truly call them my friends. Thank You! You know who you are! I'm looking forward to making more friends in the years to come in this incredible community.

If you haven't been to a WordCamp, you should go. Talk to the people around you - see what they are working on. You might could help them with a problem and they might could help you. I guarantee you wont regret it. Also, If I happen to be there, say hi to me! ;)

WordCamp Phoenix

This January I get the awesome privilege of not only attending but speaking at WordCamp Phoenix. There is an absolutely incredible lineup of speakers and an awesome all-day design track. (I almost cried when I heard about this!) I can not wait. I will be speaking on CSS Tips. Come out to my talk if you are going! Here's the general lowdown:

CSS Tips

You've installed WordPress, everything is working how you want it to, you might have installed a custom theme or even your own theme, and now you're looking for something to either really make it stand out, or professionally refined. I have some CSS tips for you. From the real simple to the intense - designers and developers of all levels will walk away with something they can use. Here are some general topics we will be covering:

- CSS and WordPress
We all absolutely love WordPress - that's why we are here. (if you don't, come see me after) In this segment, we'll take a look at some CSS tips that directly apply to the use of our incredible platform. We'll be looking at different ways to refine the front end - take a peek at some great WordPress site examples and inspiration - and go over some practical demos.

- CSS3
CSS3 is here and it can not be ignored! Yes we want some consistency in our site across all browsers, but there's nothing wrong with taking a wonderful design that works everywhere and adding in some subtle CSS3 pizazz. What a treat for users with updated browsers! We'll also address some tips on "faking it" in older browsers and fallback.

- Simple Takeaways
Think you know everything? We'll blast through simple CSS takeaways. You'll probably end up using something in this list, or be reminded of things that you already know but are not currently utilizing.

If anyone has any particular tip that they would like me to include in my presentation, send them my way! Also, Thank you to the wonderful organizers at WCPHX as well as the sponsors! I can't wait.

September 20, 2010

“Beyond the System Font – Advanced Web Typography” at WordCamp Birmingham

I had the great pleasure of speaking this past weekend at WordCamp Birmingham. It was an incredible day with some incredible speakers! If you missed it, here are my slides on my session "Beyond the System Font - Advanced Web Typography." I will hopefully have a video of the talk available to you soon.

The talk covered:
– the current state of web typography/web font licensing etc
– the latest practices such as @font-face embedding
– a practical and applicable focus on how to utilize Typekit with WordPress.
– real-time typekit installation demonstration / how to change your h1
– application on mobile devices (ipad challenges)
– challenging and combating “FOUT” with js
– combating type crunch
– focus on supporting type foundries (no illegal pirating. buy licensing)

Beyond the System Font - Advanced Web Typography

View more presentations from Sara Cannon.

Thanks to all who came!

September 9, 2010

Speaking at WordCamp Birmingham

If you've never been to a WordCamp now is the time to go! I'm really excited about this camp. I've even dove into the planning of it through designing, planning, pricing, and gathering sponsors. Speaking of, we now have some incredible sponsors (thank you to the platinum sponsors Vaultpress and MailChimp!) We also have some ABSOLUTELY incredible speakers. (I'm not going to miss Dougal Campbell or Andrew Nacin!) I also have the absolute pleasure to speak alongside this awesome lineup . Dan Gavin designed the WordCamp Bham W that I've put on the tshirts and badges.
REGISTER TODAY .. I'll even give you $5 off with this link!! Its going to be great! Really though: weather you are a non-profit, business, designer, developer, blogger, marketing guru, or social media connoisseur, you will benefit from this conference. My topic is geared more towards designers. Here's a description:

Beyond the System Font: Advanced Web Typography

Presented by Sara Cannon

Interested in pushing beyond the system font? Advanced Web Typography will cover:
– the current state of web typography/web font licensing etc
– the latest practices such as @font-face embedding
– a practical and applicable focus on how to utilize typekit with WordPress.
– real-time typekit install demonstration / how to change your h1
– application on mobile devices (ipad challenges)
– challenging and combating “FOUT” with js
– focus on supporting type foundries (no illegal pirating. buy licensing)

I'll post up slides after the event.. but really.. you should BE THERE!

Speaking about "WordPress and Your Brand" at WordCamp Birmingham last year.

July 6, 2010

WordPress Tip: Centering the Main Menu in the Twentyten Theme

twentyten

Hello WordPress users! All of y'all know about the stunning new default theme "twentyten" that comes with the new WordPress 3.0 release. I've been working with that theme a lot through child themeing.

If you ever run into a problem/question with customizing your theme or CSS, you can always search the WordPress Codex or Forums - most likely there will have been someone else who has encountered the same or similar problem. Don't be afraid to chime in whenever you think you can help out. Most likely there are people on the forums that know less than you do that you can help out.

Centering the Main Menu in the Twentyten Theme:

By default, the twentyten menu normally floats left. if you want a centered menu, you can change your css style sheet.

[code]

/* =Menu
-------------------------------------------------------------- */

#access {
background: #000;
margin: 0 auto;
width: 940px;
display:block;
float:left;
}

[/code]

The above is a segment from the default css in twentyten. You need to take out the "float: left;" and add in "position:absolute; text-align:center;" then add a new line of "#access ul {display:inline-block;}" This will change it to the following:

[code]

/* =Menu
-------------------------------------------------------------- */

#access {
background: #000;
margin: 0 auto;
width: 940px;
display:block;
position:absolute;
text-align:center;
}

#access ul{display:inline-block;}

[/code]

Hope you enjoyed this tip. And remember always: WordPress is for lovers.
-sara

Edit: forgot to add: Make sure you include an IE fix!

put this in its own little ie.css file and conditional comment it into your header. :)

[code]
#access ul{
display:inline;
zoom:1;
}
[/code]

June 28, 2010

Adding Nav Menu Functions to Your Theme in WordPress 3.0

Nav Menu Function for WordPress 3.0 - add to theme

Here is the Admin of my implementation of the Nav Menu Function added to Servants For Haiti

As many of you already know, WordPress has just released their latest version WordPress 3.0. If your site runs on WordPress and you haven't already, Update Your Blog. If you aren't running on WordPress, this is the best time to give it a shot. You will not be disappointed. They have added so many new features and improved old ones, it is truly incredible.

One of the features they have added is the ability to have Navigation Menu function control in the admin panel. No more coding in what pages to exclude in the menu! No more downloading plug-ins to sort the menu for you!

One thing: you have to retro-fit your old themes to allow this function. (and don't forget to code it in to any new theme releases!) Here is how you do it:

1. open to your theme's functions.php
2. add this line of code in there:

add_theme_support( 'menus' );

3. open your theme's header.php (typically where your main menu will be) and replace your previous menu code

which is typically something like:

<?php wp_list_pages($args); ?>

with:

<?php wp_nav_menu($args); ?>

Check out the codex for the different parameters you can include in your wp_nav_menu( ) here: http://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/wp_nav_menu

newbie note: $args should be empty or filled with parameters from the codex.

June 17, 2010

WordPress TV: Mitcho Erlewine: Abstract Your Code

This is the video from my favorite session from WordCamp San Francisco. Mitcho Erlewine did a wonderful talk on abstracting code that really challenged me to produce better, cleaner, reusable code. Here is the video description:

Mitcho Erlewine discusses avoiding programming disasters by properly abstracting the code you write and how you can make sure to write code both you and others can reuse in the future.

Read my WordCamp San Francisco recap post

- sara cannon

May 27, 2010

Happy 7th Birthday WordPress!

The wonderful open source platform that is WordPress was released seven years ago today through the talented Matt Mullenweg. Here is his post in 2003 announcing the release of WordPress to the world. Since then, WP has grown into a widely used and incredible tool for anyone who wants to share ideas, manage content, and much more. In Scott Berkun's "The Future of WordPress" session at WordCamp San Francisco, He said "WordPress is the Platform for Revolution." I totally agree. So many people have been able to find their voice through WordPress, and have been able to form communities of change. Examples of this are:

MidEastYouth - a student-owned independent network that promotes constructive dialogue and understanding within the Middle East and North Africa.
Kloop.info - the largest blog platform in Kyrgyzstan that dared to cover beginning of the recent revolt

Not only has WordPress helped people find their voice and support their causes, but it has been the basis for employment for many people worldwide. This is why it is important to contribute in any way you possibly can to the WordPress community... be it core, plugins, free themes, or volunteering or speaking at a WordCamp.

Thank you WordPress and all of those who have contributed to it. May you thrive and your community grow!
- Sara Cannon

Scott Berkun at WordCamp San Francisco - "WordPress is the Platform for Revolution"