Durofy

If you want a forum on your wordpress blog/site, you can choose one of the following options :

Option 1 - Integrate a forum running on a script like bbPress/phpBB/vBulletin/smf/etc with your wordpress blog - Choose this if you already have the forum set up and running. Will need some work, some plugins might make the job easier.

Option 2 - Use a wordpress forum plugin - these plugins are designed solely to add forums on a wordpress site. This is the best, the easiest and the fastest way to get a fully functioning forum on your wordpress installation. It is as easy as adding a new page on your wordpress blog - which is exactly what it is!

This post will help you through the steps to implement Option 2.Now, the obvious question is - Which Forum Plugin to Choose? - And the answer is Mingle Forum. After testing all the available ones - i choose to use Mingle Forums. Though you can also the others (each one has its own advantages).

As usual, here are the steps to implement Option 2 :

Step 1 - Install Mingle Forum

Just go to the it's download page on wordpress and Download the latest version. I can bet that it will be compatible with your WordPress version. Then just upload the files in the /wp-content/plugins/ folder using your ftp.

Step 2 - Visit your Dashboard to Configure the Plugin

Now you need to visit your WordPress dashboard and look for the Mingle Forum Settings - You'll find something like the image on the right.

There you can choose the options for the forum, add new categories and forums, manage mods & other user groups & also change the theme of your forum.

It'll be advisable to choose a skin that looks similar to your blog theme.

Step 3 - Add the Forum on a New Page

This is easier than you think - Just create a new page and add the short code [mingleforum]. That's it, now view the page to go to your forum. Start inviting & posting, Have fun :)

LIVE DEMO

- I just started using mingle forum on Durofy. Check it out to see what it looks like. (Notice that I've removed the sidebar from the forum page)

MORE (USEFUL) CUSTOMIZATIONS

-

• You can add the forum on a post as well
• Create a template to remove sidebar from your forum page.
• Change the skin of the forum. Use a redirect plugin to redirect users straight to the forum after they log in and skip the Dashboard
• Get support/help for the plugin.
• Put Adsense on your forum - there are already settings to do this.

If you just saw a "Danger!" message from WordPress (version 2.6 or higher), freaked out, closed the window, searched Google for the error and found this post, then hey - You're at the right place.

Else, if you're not the person described above, do not read further, try to find out the Easter egg yourself. As you already know, it's hidden somewhere in Post Revisions.

Last Chance.. Stop Here.. Just kidding, You need to click on the "Show" Button to see the Spoilers.

You will then see a blank page (which you usually associate with WordPress errors) with the following :

Which changes to black after the countdown and you get a sort of Matrix Effect - which I'll leave for you to experience yourself. Again, this is just an Easter egg so you don't need to worry. Most people don't realize that it's actually an Easter egg so it can be pretty confusing. I can't blame you because I closed my browser soon as the countdown began. If the same thing happened with you, you can now go back and view the whole thing.

You are here because you want to :

• Show only post excerpts on the pages you choose amongst Search Pages, Category Listings, Archives and your blog index page
• But still show the full posts on the posts page (there has to be the full post somewhere, right?)
• Use a shortcode to decide the post summary and insert a [Read More..] link after the summary

Here's how you can decide where to show post excerpts and where to show the complete post :

Method 1 : Using the More Tag (No need to edit templates)

You can add <!--more--> anywhere on your post in the HTML editor to decide the content to be shown as the excerpt. Everything before this tag will be shown and a "More" link will be added to view the rest of the post.

if you're not a big fan of the HTML editor, find the More icon (which looks something like ) on the Visual editor.

The single post page will be unaffected but will appear as excerpts on all pages with multiple post listings (this includes the above mentioned - index posts page(if front page is set to display recent posts), archives, category listings & search results.

You can add your own text to the more tag and make it something like <!--more Read On.. -->. It will now shoe "Read On.." instead of "More". Happy? But wait, there's more.. What if you want excerpts only in search results but full posts everywhere else? See Method 2.

Limitation - Can't choose which pages show full posts and which pages show excerpts.

Method 2 : Make changes in templates where you want excerpts

You can change your templates and make them show only post excerpts instead of full posts. Note that these excerpts are decided by WordPress(120 words) and not by you. Though, if you want, you can write excerpts for every post.(To do that - Go to Edit Post > Screen Options on top-right corner > Check Excerpts > Write an Excerpt in the box)

You can change any of the following pages :

index.php / archive.php or archives.php / category.php / search.php

Choose the page in which you want to display excerpts (preferably just search and archives) > Find the php function the_content() and replace it with the_excerpt

Which means that you need to replace <?php the_content ()?>
with <?php the_excerpt ()?>
wherever you want to replace full post content with post excerpt, Simple.

Limitation - You cannot decide the length of the excerpt for a particular post. It is set to a default of 120 words. However, You can write excerpts for individual posts.

Method 3 : Use A Plugin

If you feel like experimenting more with excerpts, try out one of the plugins for customizing and showing excerpts on WordPress. You can find these plugins here. Though, you should never use a plugin to do what you can do by tweaking your files or using the inbuilt WordPress features. However, you can use them to extend their functionality.

Limitation - You need to find out which plugin suits your needs and does what you want, Update plugins, Make sure it works with the new version of WordPress, & so on. As I said earlier, It's usually not a great idea.

Why you need to do this?

- Google knows everything - but, using an algorithm. If you click on your own ads - weather deliberately or accidentally  - It's going to get you banned. If you just clicked on your won ads, let Google know about it. To prevent this in the future, use one of the following methods. It is highly recommended that you use these even if you're sure you won't click on your own ads - because you're constantly generating invalid page impressions on your Adsense.

Method #1

- Disable JavaScript on your browser

Mozilla Firefox > Options > Content > Disable Javascript.

Internet Explorer > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level > Look for Active Scripting > Disable

Google Chrome > Options > Under The Hood > Content Settings > Look for JavaScript > Disable

Drawback - Everything on the site which uses JavaScript will be disabled.

Solution - Use Method 2.

Method #2 (Preferred)

- Use a ad blocking plugin/add-on for your browser.

These have a large number of options and can be customized the way you want.

Mozilla Firefox - Adblock Plus

Internet Explorer - Simple Adblock

Google Chrome - Adblock Plus

When you set up new ads, or want to view ads on your site for some reason, just disable the plug-in temporarily and enable it back again.

Drawback - Some of the images and content on the Adsense site (google.com/adsense) may also be disables. You may even notice the Adsense logo missing.

Solution - Turn off the plugin while browsing google.com/adsense or just use another browser to set up ads.

..And not get Deleted!

So, Google+ does not have fan pages for Brands..Or maybe it already does? Ever thought about using Google+ Circles as Fan Pages?

Why you should do it?

- Let's face it, most of your fans hate Facebook. Moreover, Google+ Circles are much better alternatives than Facebook fan pages. Discussions, Notes, Questions & other Apps are good, but the main focus of the fans should be on your posts, right? That is where Circles come in. If you're a company or brand looking for marketing or a blogger looking for readers, you need this bad.

And if you've already tried to create a business profile on Google+ and got kicked out, You know what i mean.

How to do it?

- Here's how you can implement Google+ Circles as Facebook Fan Pages. Just follow these simple steps. Check for any old notifications on Google+ before you begin.

Step 1 - Let your Facebook fans know about your presence on Google+

Just share your Google+ profile on your fan page on Facebook to do this. Even better, use a URL shortener like goo.gl or gplus.to and share the short URL on your page. Also mention that your posts will now be available at Google+.

Step 2 - Do it! Create a Circle.

While you wait for your fans to add you on Google+, create a circle - with your fan page name. All the posts you want to make to your fans will be shared to this circle.

Step 3 - Add Fans to the Circle

Since, you just posted your Google+ link on your fan page, you should get notifications of people who just added you. Add them all to the circle you created in Step 2 (Filter out Family & Friends, if any. This is why you were asked to get rid of old notifications beforehand.

Step 4 - Share something, Of course!

Now, you can actually share something with your fans. Just select the circle when you share.

What else can you do?

-

Go to Circles > Select the Circle > View Stream to view the posts made in the circle. See the address bar to get a URL of this circle. You can use it to go straight to the fan page.

This is your new Fan Page - You can even start a Hangout with your fans! The visible disadvantages in this implementation - you appearing as "you" and not your brand. (It could also be an advantage depending on your business. Though, in Facebook, you had this choice of appearing as yourself or the brand.) - and posts by your fans in your circle stream.

Now that the Facebook app directory is missing(Yes, it is), Here is a list of Facebook apps for the brain :

The list includes apps that help increase your brain power, and at the same, are addictive, fun & social. IQ tests are not included since they're just a test of your brain and do not, as such, train your brain. Here are 10 such apps - not supposed to be in any order -

#1Brain Buddies

Tests your brain in 4 areas - Memory, Logic, Calculation & Visual - and compares the results with friends. It works best when you repeat the test every few days. It is also a good way of knowing what your brain is most dominant in and what you need to work on.

#2 Who Has The Biggest Brain?

An alternative to Brain Buddies.Has mini games in the same areas as Brain Buddies though the games are a bit different.

#3 MindJolt Games

This is a huge collection of games - Just browse the Puzzles and Strategy sections for brain games.

#4 Chess

The most popular chess app on facebook. Improves your strategy & tactics. Features include Customizable chess pieces & board colors - Option to play against the computer or player - In-game chat - Player Stats.

#5 Mahjong Zen

Works on your memory. Also helps to refresh your mind. You can also try a second version of the same game - Mahjong Zen 2 - which has different game play modes.

#6 Sudoku

The classic puzzle game from Japan - good exercise for your brain. The objective is to fill a 9×9 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 sub-grids that compose the grid contains all of the digits from 1 to 9. The app also has a challenge mode - to play against your friends.

#7 Kakuro

A "cross-sums" variation of Sudoku. Builds on your logical thinking and your mathematical skills. I personally find it to be more addictive than Sudoku. If you too are done with Sudoku, Kakuro is what you need.

#8 Reversi (Othello)

A very unique abstract strategy game. The player's goal is to have a majority of their colored pieces showing at the end of the game, turning over as many of their opponent's pieces as possible. Revello is another alternative app for the same game.

#9 Logic Puzzle Starters

A collection of logic puzzles including Pic-a-Pix, Sudoku, Fill-a-Pix, Sym-a-Pix, Hashi, Link-a-Pix, Battleships, Nurikabe, Slitherlink. Fun to solve, leaves you asking for more.

#10 Logic Games

Helps improve your logical thinking ability. Not really popular, but has some difficult puzzles to solve.

Bonus - Check out BrainJizz for some really awesome Brain Teasers & Puzzles

Also Check out our list of 5 Extremely Hard Brain Teasers You Probably Can't Solve

About the new markup :

Google Authorship shows a link to your Google+ Profile along with your pic on its search results - from your website. But you need to convince it that the content is yours.

What is to be done :

1)All pages on your blog or website must link to your "About Me"/"About The Author" Page. (Create it if you don't have one)
2)The Author page should link to your Google+ Profile.
3)Your Google+ Profile must link to the author page.

How it is to be done :

1)On your blog, Add a link to your About Page
<a rel="author" href="to_about_page">
Add it to either the header, footer or the sidebar to make sure it's available for all posts.

2)On this about page, Add a link to your Google+
<a rel="author" href="to_about_page">

3)On your Google+ profile, Add a link to your blog(where you began in the first step). Don't forget to choose "This page is specifically about me" which is equivalent to rel="me".

Summary :

You can verify the implementation by using the Rich Snippets Testing Tool. Don't forget to use your full URL(including the "http://") to get the correct results.

Why it works :

The "About Me" page on your blog tells Google it's your blog and the Google+ link on the "About Me" page tells Google that the Google+ Profile represents the person who is the author of the blog. It all fits in when you tell Google+ that the blog is yours. (by adding a link to your Google+ Profile)

If you're wondering why this is the first post here? That's because I just did this.
And If you're using an old cufon version, IE9 won't display anything, yeah, nothing at all.

Two elegant ways you could fix this -

Fix 1 :

Add
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=8" /@gt;
OR
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=7" /@gt;

Why it works? - Makes it equivalent to using IE8 or IE7

Fix 2 :

Download the new version of cufon-yui.js and replace the old one.
But first, make sure you don't want to stick with the old one for any reason.

Why it works? - Ask Simo Kinnunen

Web Development & Web Technologies

A Presentation on Web Design & Development Technologies which talks about HTML, PHP, Static & Dynamic Websites & Web Technologies 1.0 Vs 2.0

In this post, I discuss basic FBML that everyone can use for their Facebook profiles. FBML, like HTML, is the Facebook Markup Language. It is basically used by developers who create facebook applications for us.

However, we can also use FBML on our facebook profiles in boxes & tabs. This allows us to embed music, video & flash in the profiles.

First you gotta have an app which allows you to use HTML/FBML for your profile.

Note : You really need one of the apps listed on the link above to use the FBML given below.

1. The FBML Photo tag

Though Facebook does allow the html tag, the cosserponding FBML for this is <fb:photo>

The FBML tags are also associated with attributes. Now, the above tag with attributes would look something like...

<fb:photo pid="12345" />

Now, the 12345 thing is the api of the image. This is when you're adding an image from facebook itself. Lets say you have a pic in one of your albums that you want to showcase on your profile in a box.

You'll need to check out the api of that image. For this, you just need to get the url of the image...

It would look something like...

facebook.com/photo.php?pid=39597&id=100000031343773

Now, the thing in red is the api of the image. I would then use this with the FBML tag to get...

<fb:photo pid="39597" />

which is the FBML tag for my image.

2. The FBML Music tag

This tag allows you to add any song to your profile...

Its the <fb:mp3> tag.

<fb:mp3 src="http://www.site.com/filename.mp3">

The tag with its basic attributes would look something like...

<fb:mp3 src="http://www.site.com/filename.mp3" title="Name" artist="Artist" album="Album"/>

3. The FBML Video tag

This lets you add a video frm yutube into your facebook profile...

Simply use the <fb:swf> tag as defined below. The

<fb:swf  swfsrc='http://www.youtube.com/v/xxxxxxxxxx' imgsrc='http://img.youtube.com/vi/xxxxxxxxxx/2.jpg' width='340' height='270' />

The thing in green is the video id on youtube. It looks something like this on youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrjyy_0SipU

Hence, if i embed this video on facebook using FBML, it would look something like...

<fb:swf  swfsrc='http://www.youtube.com/v/qrjyy_0SipU' imgsrc='http://img.youtube.com/vi/qrjyy_0SipU/2.jpg' width='340' height='270' />

But again, you need one of the apps here to do this. Enjoy!