Archive for the ‘Website Design’ Category

Okay, here’s another tip.

For those of you who’ve struggled with getting Camtasia SWF files into your WordPress pages, stop searching. You’ve found the right page.

Let me just say, I’ve struggled with it and spent several hours trying to figure this out a couple of days ago, so with any luck this will help you save *a lot* of time (as well as hassle with trying to use various plugins like Kimili Flash Embed to do the job!). Embed Camtasia SWF into WordPress » Read More »

I was going to release this video earlier this week but I’ve not been feeling very well.

I’m still not feel 100% but slowly on the mend.

Anyway, this is a very short one from me (unusually!).

It’s the Semi-Static Homepage technique taken to extremes.

Again, I hope Lorelle enjoys this as it was her that originally inspired me to share this “tip” - the last time she was left speechless. I wonder what the reaction will be this time . This video isn’t a tip as such, it’s more of a demonstration of how far you can push WordPress when you put your mind to it.

I hope you enjoy it.

I’m back off to bed now…

It’s been an interesting week.

It’s been one of those periods where it’s been necessary to take a step back, re-assess the current situation and re-double my efforts. Admittedly, not much has really been done this last week. Not for the lack of trying. Or the lack of enthusiasm. Sometimes the universe just delivers a whole heap of junk mail and you just got to sort out the essentials from the spam.

It’s time to start re-focusing on what really matters. And what really matters right now is Excellence…

To kick off tonight’s show, I’d like to start with another little clip from Bill Hicks… (Get used to it people, he’s a major influence and you really got to listen to what this chain-smoking, dead guy is saying!).

Internet Marketing Excellence? Play from the heart >>

I’m a great fan of Lorelle. She writes some really interesting stuff about WordPress and Blogging and you should all check out her stuff.

Recently (well, last week - but I’m slow at getting round to things as I’m quite busy), she posted up an interesting “challenge” to “help kick [our collective] blogging ass” as she puts it.

Well, I thought I’d share with you all a tip on something that I’ve recently been working on. I’m quite pleased with the result even though the solution isn’t the most ideal and rather raw. It isn’t the most elegant solution as I’d have hoped it to be but it works…

This isn’t specifically a “blogging” tip - it’s more of a theme tip. Or rather a way in which you can push the boundaries of WordPress if you’re inclined to think of WordPress as something other than “a blogging tool”.

And I do.

Now, I know some of you WordPress and Blogging purists are going to hate me. But hey, screw that - WordPress is Open Source and the whole point of Open Source projects is that you can push them to become what you need them to do. Right?

I’m not about to get into a debate on the whole purity of the blog thing right now. Instead, I’m going to show you what’s possible if you put your mind to it.

As you may have gathered, I’m taking up Lorelle’s tips challenge on this one and this post is about creating a Semi-Static WordPress Homepage.

Are you ready? Are you confused? Read on and I’ll explain everything. Semi-Static WordPress Home Page: A How To Guide

Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know. My new theme isn’t quite working.

I’ve just had Andy Beard email me about it this evening (and Jane over at Cyres Cafe mentioned it as well) to say that the HTML Purified plugin isn’t working as expected on the comments (Thanks to both of you, btw!). PHP Warnings - ouch! The plugin is pretty new and will probably need a bit more testing - this is one of John’s plugins but he’s probably battling some other WordPress plugin issues at the moment… WordPress Theme and Plugin issues continued

Knowledge Constructs is back. Or should I say “I’m back”? Better, stronger and more focused than ever. Coming back from Rich Schefren’s Accelerate seminar has definitely had a positive impact in my state of mind. But it’s not been as easy moving forward as I’d imagined…

You may have noticed the change to the site design. What you won’t have notice is the change in Attitude. Yet. Keep reading…

There’s going to be some big changes round here - so you better get with it or Get Off My Blog!

Let me just say, this post you’re about to read is definitely NSFW (And if you don’t know what that means, GIMF!). No more G or PG rating. It’s time to take off the gloves and pull no punches… A drastic change to our site strategy. Why?

I have a confession to make (don’t you just love that opening line?). A couple of months ago, I’d never even heard of Michel Fortin. I couldn’t even pronounce his name as I couldn’t work out if it was “Me-Shell Four-tuhn” (as it appear’s French in orgin) or just plain “Michael Fort’in” (Americanised). I had no idea who he was or what he did until I got an email from my very clued up Internet Marketing friend, Saumil, in India…

Basically, I’d just released this plugin (an update are coming soon, I promise) and I get this email from Saumil saying how this guy Michel Fortin had written a very nice review about FAQ-Tastic.

My initial response was like “Cool! …uh, who’s Michel Fortin?” and his reply was along the lines of “ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?” (okay, so I’m paraphrasing for dramatic effect here!). He went on to explain how Michel’s actually really big in the copywriting niche and has a huge list and usually charges for reviews - so basically I’d already made my money back on the plugin I’d commissioned!

Nice.

Read more »

Lately I’ve been having a hard time finding an excellent WordPress theme designer. I see some fantastic designs but no-one with any real understanding of design in relation to data architecture (or how to structure the content of a site). I know exactly what I’m looking for (and could probably teach these various aspects myself) but I simply don’t understand why is it so difficult to find excellent WordPress theme designers? Has the buzz of the CSS Zen Garden worn off?

And I *do* love working with excellent people. People who are passionate about what they do. People with drive and determination. People like our WordPress Plugin Developer, John, who’s probably one of the most motivated and determined people I’ve never met. You need only look at the quality of his plugins to understand the bar I’m trying to set in terms of excellence.

But after several weeks of putting my feelers out and getting in touch with some truly excellent old design colleagues and acquaintances, I have to admit I’m feeling a bit defeated. I’m beat. Done… for the moment.

So I’m putting this advert out. There’s good money in it (as quality costs) and potentially some future work as well. If you think you fit the bill or know anyone who you think might be perfect, then please do contact me at exceptionaldesigner[at]knowledgeconstructs.com (if I need to tell you replace the [at], then don’t email me ). Read more »