So it seems easy enough to update your wordpress and plugins to the latest versions, yet some bloggers do not do this.  Words to the wise:  UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE.

Yes, the unthinkable happened to yours truly!  I had some old sites on my hosting account that were inactive and because there was an older version of wordpress (or plugin), it allowed a hacker to get it and corrupt other sites on my hosting!  All fixed now, but not without a few harrowing moments, and a few hours of downtime.

Do you need help getting your own “house” in order here?  Just CONTACT US and we can help you our in short order!

This has to rank as one of the biggest stressors out there.  You go to your site and it is not there!  You get one of many messages.  You panic.  You wait on hold for the hosting company ‘s tech support to answer.  You message your tech.  You call friends and ask them if they see your site.  Here is what you should do first.  Just go to this site (and be sure to bookmark): DownforEveryoneOrJust Me Now wasn’t that easy?  At least you know if the problem is on your end or global!

This site has a great deal of information in the form of downloadable pdfs, and the addition of many video categories.

Visit Advocare Tips.

Yes, we have to be connected at all times.  We must be available when our client has a website issue, or just needs a quick fix, but it really can be a drag to lug around that 15″ MacBook Pro and related accessories when traveling.  Not saying that I don’t love the Beast, but it can weigh you down.

Recently, I finally succumbed to a MacBook Air.  I resisted for a long time because I thought the slower processor and lack of a CD/DVD drive as well as only 2 GB of RAM would cramp my style.  I had no idea how I would cram my files and programs onto such a small hard drive.

Well, I am pleased to report that the experience is beyond my expectations.  My Air has the following specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 1066MHz frontside bus
• 2GB Memory
• 128GB solid-state drive
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics

The Pros

• The solid state drive is so speedy that programs open and close in an instant.
• It is tiny, and can fit into other bags when traveling.
• It is a sexy computer that is fun to use.

The Cons

• The small size of the hard drive was troubling.  No way to fit the iTunes Library.  I had to use VMWare Fusion with Windows so I could use my VPN and exchange email, and the smallest I could get the virtual machine down to was 38GB.
• No way to watch a DVD while traveling.
• No built in ethernet (there is an adapter) or SD card reader, and only one usb port.

I figured out a way to utilize this beauty and be extremely  happy with my purchase.  In my next post, I will tell you how I solved some of the dilemmas mentioned in the Cons, and what accessories and apps I use to stay connected.

I am frequently asked what tools I use for web design.  Many of the add-ons and plugins that I use are free and you might want to investigate for your own use if you don’t already use them.

Hardware, etc.:

• Macbook Pro 3.06  8GB RAM(upgrading the RAM to 8GB makes all the difference in the world!), Dell 24″ LCD, Apple wireless keyboard and magic mouse
• Rain Design M stand – raises the MB Pro to right height to use  as 2nd monitor with the Dell,  cools the Mac, and gives me a little space underneath for stuff
• Harmon Kardon Speakers – you gotta have good sounds when coding!
• Nikon Coolpix P6000 Camera – you can see some photo samples here

Apps, Tools, and Misc.:

• Evernote (use the free version for internet version, desktop app and iPod Touch app)
• Filezilla (free FTP client)
• Skype (I use the $30 annual version so I can make outgoing calls to clients that don’t use Skype)
• Bluehost – my favorite hosting.  Really cheap, but reliable, and you get to talk to someone knowledgeable 24-7 for support.  The more I use other services that my clients have, the more I love Bluehost.

Software:

• WordPress
• Operating System – Snow Leopard
• Adobe Design Premium CS4
• Microsoft Office for Mac

Free Browser Add-ons for Firefox (I use lots of others, but these are more specific to web design):

• Firebug
• Font Finder
• Colorzilla
• MeasureIt
• NoDoFollow
• Window Resizer
• CSS Validator

Premium Themes to modify:

• Woo Themes addict (also a Woo Affiliated Worker and Beta tester)
• Thesis

What do you use?  Pls comment with your setup and any suggestions!

Heidi Swift’s new site.  Quite a transformation from her white site of last year.

Today appears to be a good day for great savings on some of our favorite things.

• Great deal on Woo Themes. As usual, get 2 wordpress themes for the price of 1.  Now you can also get 25% off using coupon code “ROCKSTAR”
• FREE Shoemoneyx course! The best way to learn about blogging, monetizing, etc.  Only available until 10/30/09, then access is discontinued.  Be sure to sign up now.
• Brand New iMacs at $100 off.  They sure are beautiful and the new specs are awesome!

Enjoy!

LIMITED TIME OFFER!!!!  50% OFF

The WordPress Video Series with 46 videos is now available here only for 50% off using the orange button.   This is a limited time offer.

Nearly 5 HOURS of step-by-step video training! And don’t worry, no geeky tech talk! Just simple guided videos.

46 WordPress training videos, including:
- Registering a domain name, getting web hosting and changing nameservers.
- Using FileZilla FTP.
- Installing WordPress manually and automatically.
- How to create new content, add images etc.
- How to install and manage plugins and themes.
- How to Use WordPress Widgets in the sidebar.
- How to set up AWeber and Get Response and manage lists.
- How to use Feedburner.

And much more!

You can download them to keep in various formats, even mp3 and PDF transcripts!

These are the newest videos in the collection:

41 – Quick Start Guide to Google AdSense (7m 11s)
42 – Setting Up and Using New Adsense Ads (9m 29s)
43 – Publishing Free Articles on Your Blog (5m 31s)
44 – Quick Start Guide to ClickBank (6m 16s)
45 – How to Create and Use a ClickBank Hoplink (7m 38s)
46 – How to Use The ClickBank HopAd Builder (10m 26s)

I downloaded and tried Foxinni’s plugin, ThemeSmith, last week.  Wow, I was so impressed.  I have tried other gallery plugins, and none were this elegant or easy to customize.  In addition to photos, the plugin works for audio and video.  Best of all, it is free and according to Foxinni, “Web publishing should be simple and easy.”  Well, this plugin certainly gets us one step closer to that goal.

Check out this 3 minute gallery demo (includes installing plugin).  You will notice that the plugin works well with Slimbox 2 if you click to enlarge.

I was annoyed by getting emails on my sites for both comment approval, and from the contact form, that are from my main domain (instead of the domain of the particular site).  The particular domain is an add-on domain, and after trying to get some help from my hosting provider, I tried many avenues through the WordPress backend without success.  I finally have a solution, and it takes all of 1 minute to correct this!

Install the plugin WP Mail SMTP.  If you are on the latest version of WordPress (2.8.4 as of this date), you can just go to Add Plugins and search for this easy to configure plugin.  If you are not on the latest version of WordPress, stop right now and update your site to eliminate security threats.  This plugin allows you to use SMTP to send your WordPress mail instead of the normal php mail.