How To: Install BuddyPress and Common Troubleshooting Tips
Yesterday we setup our first installation of BuddyPress, the WordPress MU specific plugin package that transforms any WPMU installation in to a social networking platform.
BuddyPress is still in a pre-release state, and therefore the installation process has not been streamlined into a nice easy package. I decided to write this article to help anyone else who is trying to install BuddyPress for the first time. This article is very detailed so beginners and experts alike can setup BuddyPress!
Step 1 Install WordPress MU
I’m not going to write how to install WordPress MU. WPMU is as easy to install as regular WordPress and the installation guide can be found here:
http://trac.mu.wordpress.org/browser/trunk/README.txt
One thing to note - When you install WordPress MU, DO NOT edit/rename the wp-config-sample.php file. This is a common mistake made as that is what most people do to install WordPress. If you edit this file your WordPress MU site will display a blank page. WPMU will automatically rename/edit the wp-config-sample.php file during the setup process.
Step 2 Visit the BuddyPress Installation Page
Visit the official installation page located here: http://trac.buddypress.org/wiki/installing-buddypress
This is where you will find the current installation guide and required components for the BuddyPress install. You can read the installation guide here:
http://trac.buddypress.org/browser/trunk/INSTALL-README.txt
The installation guide helps, but there are a few issues it fails to address.
Step 3 Download the required BuddyPress components
Since BuddyPress is in pre-release, you will need to download the installation package from the BuddyPress trunk located here:
WordPress Thesis Theme Support and Reference List
Recently we started a project involving the much talked about Thesis WordPress Theme.
Thesis is a powerful WordPress Theme that gives users very flexible tools for customizing your WordPress powered website. With features including custom RSS feed link, customizable navigation menu, and search engine optimization right out of the box, it’s easy to see why Thesis is so popular among WordPress themes.
Thesis can be extended to execute any custom written code needed. With its large array of functions and hooks, you can create virtually any modification to Thesis and WordPress powered websites.
Not only is Thesis a solid WordPress theme, but they also keep their design updated. The most recent update, version 1.3.2, was released on November 13th, 2008. That’s just four days before this post.
Below is a list of very valuable Thesis references and hooks for website developers and designers.
Thesis References and Hooks
Thesis Support Forums
Thesis Hook Reference List
Default Hook Usage in Thesis
WordPress also has a wide range of functions and hooks that can also be used to create custom plugins and widgets.
WordPress Function and Hook Reference
WordPress Codex Function Reference
WordPress Hooks Database
WordPress Hooks Directory
WebDevStudios.com can help you extend your Thesis WordPress theme to handle any task or functionality. We also have very talented graphic designers who specialize in Thesis styling and theming using CSS.
OpenSocial Turns One, Reaches 600 Million Users
OpenSocial, Google’s application platform, just turned one year old.
OpenSocial has grown immensely in its first year of deployment. To date there have been over 315 million application installs across social networks including MySpace, LinkedIn, Bebo, Orkut, and Hi5. OpenSocial now has a total reach of 600 million users worldwide, with that number increasing daily.
Social Network Applications, including applications built on the OpenSocial framework, are growing at an extreme rate and have become a standard feature on all major social networks.
WebDevStudios.com can create any type of Social Networking Application you can dream up! We’ll work with you to help you understand the capacities available to your application and how you can utilize that data to help your application spread!
WordPress 2.7 is Coming, Beta Released!
WordPress recently released version 2.7 beta 1 of their popular open source software.
WordPress 2.7 introduces some major changes to the WordPress Administration Dashboard user interface and new functionality. The new admin menu will now be displayed in the left sidebar instead of the traditional way of displaying across the header.
The new WordPress release will also include some much anticipated functionality enhancements including Mass edit posts/pages, auto pagination of comments, quick edit from the manage screen, and the much requested sticky post for your home page.
Let WebDevStudios.com help you upgrade your WordPress powered website to WordPress 2.7 when the final version is released! We will also help you learn and take advantage of all the new features offered by version 2.7! Contact us today for more details.
Happy Halloween from WebDevStudios.com!
Happy Halloween from all of us at WebDevStudios.com!
Eric Martin carved this custom pumpkin with the WordPress logo! We loved it so much we wanted to share with you. You can view more of his awesome WordPress pumpkin carving on his blog.
Have a safe and spooky Halloween 2008!
WordPress 2.6.3 Upgrade Released
WordPress just released version 2.6.3 of their open source website framework.
WordPress version 2.6.3 fixes a vulnerability in the Snoopy library. The Snoopy library is used to fetch RSS feeds that are displayed on the WordPress dashboard.
WordPress does state this is a low risk vulnerability, but it is always a good idea to upgrade as new versions and patches are released. Once WordPress 2.6.3 has been installed in our development environment, we will begin to push out upgrades to all customers still on a current support contract.
Drupal version 5.11 and 6.5 Final Released
Drupal, the popular open-source CMS, released version 5.11 and 6.5 core update.
This release does patch critical security vulnerabilities exposed in older versions and is a recommended upgrade.
Drupal is a powerful open source content management system and an excellent choice for E-Commerce Stores, Corporate and Intranet Websites, and Community Web Portals.
Once Drupal 5.11 and 6.5 have been installed in our testing environment, we will begin to push out updates to clients running on the Drupal framework.
New WebDevStudios.com Logo
We recently launched our new WebDevStudios.com logo!
Trendy Minds, an Indianapolis based design firm, worked with us to help create our new logo with a more modern web 2.0 style. Trendy Minds did an excellent job encapsulating our vision for a new logo and identity.
Trendy Minds and WebDevStudios.com have worked together on various projects throughout the year. We highly recommend the amazing work that they do!
WordPress MU 2.6.2 Final Released
WordPress MU, the multi-blog version of WordPress, released version 2.6.2 today.
There are no major security vulnerabilities exposed in this release, but it does contain a number of important bug fixes which can be tracked on the WordPress MU development timeline.
WordPress MU is a powerful blogging platform with the ability to publish and maintain thousands of blogs with a single install of WordPress MU. A blog network is a great way to increase organic search engine traffic, expand customer loyalty, and build new reader relationships.
Contact us today to discuss how WebDevStudios can help you leverage the power of WordPress MU.
Google Unveils New Android Powered Cell Phone
Google, T-Mobile, and HTC unveiled the details of their new phone running the Google mobile OS Android. The new T-Mobile G1 phone looks to be a solid alternative to Apples iPhone, with more of a focus on openness.
The T-Mobile G1 will launch commercially on October 22nd of this year. With the launch of the first Android powered cell phone, the market is widely open for custom developed Android applications. Android will feature an Android Market where developers can publish their custom built Android applications to be easily downloadable directly to any Android powered cell phone.
WebDevStudios has been hard at work researching and developing with the Android SDK and are able to create any type of custom Android application needed for your business or services.
Contact us today to get started on bringing your ideas to reality on the Google Android mobile OS!
