Your site can be ready in minutes with the Mobile plugin for WordPress. It’s a user-friendly plugin that will create mobile versions of your website for various mobile devices. It includes several starter themes and you can also use a built-in style manager to customize the themes to match your regular site. You can even tweak different themes and styles for different devices: offer a wider view for wider screens if you want.

How To Use Mobile Plugin
Once you download and install the Mobile plugin, your site is dishing up mobile versions to mobile users. It’s that easy. Of course you’ll probably want to tweak the defaults. Under Themes & Devices you can assign specific themes to specific devices. As you hover over each theme you can access the Style Manager and tweak the mobile view to your heart’s content.

One of the first things you’ll want to do is create your own mobile header. Just create a smaller version of your current graphic header that will fit on mobile devices.

Next you can tweak the mobile colors to better match your regular website. While you want to deliver a different experience to mobile users, you still want to maintain your brand.

You can also adjust various settings across all mobile platforms. By default a link is offered on all mobile versions to view the non-mobile site (giving your viewers a choice is always good). You can also offer unique titles or descriptions for mobile users. This is also where you can disable the mobile plugin if you need to.

Mobile is Now
As mobile use continues to become more wide spread, it’s important that your site is ready. This is a quick and easy way to get there.

For more information on getting started with Mobile Plugin, join us for a free webinarOn February 6th, 2012, at 6pm CST.

Reserve your free seat here: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/284435834

Hi everyone. Bes Zain here. On February 8th, 2012 at 6pm CST, I’ll be hosting a webinar to introduce you to BackupBuddy and Multisite.

If you’ve any kind of a WordPress site, you should at least be making weekly backups. BackupBuddy has extensive Multisite features, allowing you to make, migrate, duplicate, export or import any Multisite or Single backup very easily.

Register now for free! February 8th, 2012 at 6pm CST

As always, the webinar will at least be an hour long. I’ll be answering live questions at iThemes.tv while the live webinar is in session.

BackupBuddy is the most essential plugin for hundreds of thousands of sites out there, and BackupBuddy Multisite only makes making backups of your Multisite easier!

Register now and get your questions ready! Your Multisite will thank you for it.

See you there.

It’s a modern mobile world. There is no doubt about it. Everyone is accessing your website and your info from their phones, tablets, and on the go.

It’s time you started catering to all mobile users instantly, and awesomely. The longer you wait, the more you’re missing out.

On February 6th, 2012, I’ll be hosting a free Introduction to PluginBuddy Mobile webinar.

The webinar will at least be an hour long. I’ll be answering live questions at iThemes.tv while the live webinar is in session.

Register now for free! February 6th, 2012 at 6pm CST

For those of you who have not used PluginBuddy Mobile yet, PluginBuddy Mobile allows you to easily, and powerfully, turn your website into a Mobile platform.

This is your chance to learn all the basics of getting started with Mobile and making your sites mobile.

See you there – register now!

One of the things we do at PluginBuddy is add feature plans to BackupBuddy based on what you and all other BackupBuddy users suggest to us.

We have some good news for people who use BackupBuddy Multisite Beta Import a lot.

BackupBuddy 2.2.35 now has one of the most asked-for feature requests for BackupBuddy Multisite Import section: Import Steps and Import Logs!

BackupBuddy Multisite Import Steps & Import Logs

All BackupBuddy backup and restore areas take you through detailed steps and provide detailed logs, allowing you to see what’s happening all the time through the WordPress Multisite Import process.

We added the same steps and logs to the Import process. No more being in the dark: you’ll be walked through each step and shown on each step what’s being done.

BackupBuddy Multisite Import now has detailed steps

Importing a single site into a Multisite has never been so awesomely comfortable, since now you have full logs for every step.

BackupBuddy Multisite Import now has full logs

So now you can know exactly what’s happening, what’s being done, and if you run into any errors related to your server or setup. BackupBuddy Multisite Import feature now has fully automatic cleanup options too!

BackupBuddy Multisite Import - Cleanup after every Import!

Upgrade to BackupBuddy 2.2.35 today!

Go ahead and give the new BackupBuddy Multisite Import in 2.2.35 a spin. You’re going to love the new Multisite Import logs.

You can upgrade manually via the PluginBuddy Member’s area, or automatically via your WordPress –> Plugins section.

As always, we consider every single feature suggestion you send our way. Got something in mind? Please let us know in the BackupBuddy forums, where you’ll find me, the BackupBuddy support team and thousands of other BackupBuddy users sharing knowledge, tips, suggestions, and answers.

We want to hear from you too on the forums!

If you’ve any questions about BackupBuddy or the new BackupBuddy Multisite Import steps and logs in general, please post them in the comments below.

Knowledge is power. Happy importing!

Thanks for reading!

Reserve your seat for any (or all!) of the trainings below, and check out the full training schedule at WebDesign.com, including the famous WordPress Developers Course rescheduled for March 1-3.

PluginFocus: SimplePress, February 01, 2012 – Wednesday – 10am (CST)
Overview: The latest version of Simple-Press (version 5) is a complete rewrite an only works with WordPress 3.3 and beyond. So much has changed and improved with this forum plugin solution. Do you want a powerful forum solution built into your WordPress site? Simple-Press just might be the answer for you.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Requirements: Basic knowledge of WordPress
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/397834570

iThemes.TV – PluginBuddy Mobile, February 06, 2012 – Wednesday – 6pm (CST)
Overview: Mobile from PluginBuddy allows any website owner, without any coding knowledge, to convert any existing WordPress site into a mobile platform customized for each and every mobile device. If you want to get started and make your online sites mobile friendly, PluginBuddy Mobile is what you need.
Instructor: Bes Zain
Length: at least 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Requirements: Basic knowledge of WordPress
Live Chat: iThemes.tv
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/284435834

iThemes.TV – BackupBuddy and Multisite, February 08, 2012 – Wednesday – 6pm (CST)
Overview: BackupBuddy goes along very well with Multisites, allowing you to make full backups, migrate them, and even extract specific sites out of a Multisite. If you’ve got any kind of a Multisite, you should be using BackupBuddy regularly to make backups for safekeeping. Join us in this webinar for full demonstration of how BackupBuddy Multisite works, and to find out what it can do for you.
Instructor: Bes Zain
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Requirements: Basic knowledge of WordPress
Live Chat: iThemes.tv
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/397834570

iThemes.TV – WordPress 101, February 14, 2012 – Tuesday – 11am (CST)
Overview: If you’re new to WordPress or simply thinking about making the switch from another CMS, this class is for you! Join us for our WordPress 101 series of webinars which will walk you step-by-step through the basics of WordPress. You’ll learn everything from installing the software to creating your first post.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner
Requirements: Everyone
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/348223858

iThemes.TV – Getting Started with BackupBuddy, February 21, 2012 – Tuesday – 11am (CST)
Overview: Have you ever wondered how to get started using the BackupBuddy Plugin? If so, this class is for you! Join us as we show just how easy it is to get up and running with this awesome plugin that allows you to backup, restore, and migrate your WordPress site with ease!
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner
Requirements: No requirements
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/413120274

Be sure to check the full training schedule for February and March from WebDesign.com.

Because of its simplicity, however, I’ve noticed several bloggers getting confused about whether to choose Slideshow, Carousel, or Featured Posts for their site. That confusion is easily and quickly gone once I tell such bloggers that Featured Posts is not in the same category as Slideshow or Carousel.

Featured Posts is different

Featured Posts is different than Slideshow, Carousel and many other slideshow related plugins out there. While Slideshow and Carousel get a ton of attention, Featured Posts has one feature that sets it apart in its own category.

Featured Posts showcases your latest content with featured images automatically.

You only setup Featured Posts once. From then onward, everything is automatic and you never have to touch the Featured Posts code or settings area again. Unlike other latest posts slideshow plugins, Featured Posts does not require you to create extra categories or tags in order to work. Featured Posts instantly works with whatever you already have.

If you use featured images for any of your blog content, Feature Posts will transform the home page or any other specified part of your website into a beautiful gallery of your latest entries and their associated Featured Images. Your actual text content will also be shown in any manner and length you wish.

Showcase your latest posts in style - one of the several available themes

Featured Posts can showcase the latest posts, pages or any custom post type you specify in the settings area. You can also choose one of the several available layouts, or create your own layout to customize the way Featured Posts looks.

Activate Featured Posts, Copy/Paste the Shortcut, and Enjoy!

Using Featured Posts is extremely easy. The following 3 one-time only steps will get you up and running in less than 3 minutes:

1. Activate Featured Posts like any other plugin.
2. Set your preferred options in Featured Posts Settings. This step is completely optional.
3. Insert the shortcode [featuredposts] on any page, post or in any theme file.

That’s it! Featured Posts will then work automatically, based on your settings. You simply go on posting like you always do, not changing your existing habits in any manner.

Featured Posts will pick your latest entries, show the excerpt and the associated Featured Image per the default or your defined settings, and make your site visually more appealing. Since Featured Posts showcases the latest posts, it always updates itself automatically whenever you write a new WordPress post or page.

How do You Use Featured Posts?

Now that you know how Featured Posts works and how its different compared to other plugins, do you think it adds more value to your homepage compared to many other plugins? How are you using Feature Posts?

Share your thoughts, questions or your own site link, with Featured Posts activated on it, in the comments below or on the Featured Posts forums.

Thanks for reading!

Bes Zain here from the PluginBuddy team. As part of our regular efforts to help you get more out of WordPress and our plugins, PluginBuddy offered a free detailed “Getting Started with BackupBuddy” webinar on January 17th, 2012 on iThemes.tv.

Our webinar happens live where everyone, including you, discusses everything live on webdesign.com/chat, if it’s a WebDesign.com webinar, or ithemes.tv for all iThemes TV webinars. Here is the entire Getting Started with BackupBuddy webinar I did from that day:

If you have any questions about the above Webinar or BackupBuddy, or would like something covered in the upcoming tutorials and videos, please let us know by commenting below.

Be sure to participate in the other upcoming PluginBuddy webinars!

Thanks for reading, watching and attending our webinars! We really appreciate it. See you in the next webinar!

BackupBuddy allows you to make the best possible backups of your site. Having BackupBuddy on your side gives you the power to make the most comprehensive WordPress backups ever, though it leaves you with one question:

“How often should I use BackupBuddy to backup my site?”

Have no fear. Here is what I recommend after years of going up and down this road, and after losing so much information because of not having backups at the right time:

How Often to Make Full Backups

Full backups contain all your files and your entire WordPress database. You should make full backups based on the following:

• If you upload, update or change your themes or plugins at least once a week, you should make full backups no less than twice a month.
• If you upload, update or change your themes or plugins at least once a month, you should make full backups no less than once a month.
• If you upload, update or change your themes or plugins less than once a month, you should make full backups no less than once a month.

Yes, even though your actual files may not change as much, having a fresh backup at least every month is the way to go.

You’re probably asking for trouble if your full backups are usually over a month old.

How Often to Make DB Only Backups

Since Full Backups in BackupBuddy contain your Database backups, many people incorrectly assume that making more-often database backups is not necessary when you’re making monthly full backups.

Your files change because of plugins, themes, or WordPress updates, deletions and installations.

Your database, however, changes almost every hour of the day depending on what you do. Every post and every image you add to WordPress results in your database being updated. Comments, pages, and even themes and plugin changes are recorded in your database.

You should always update your databases on a regular basis and with more importance than full backups UNLESS you do full backups daily.

• If you post OR get comments at least once a week, you should make at least one database backup weekly.
• If you post OR get comments more than once a week, you should make at least one database backup twice a week.
• If you post OR get comments a few times a month, you should make database backups at least once every 2 weeks.

You’re again asking for trouble if your database backups are usually over 2 weeks old.

How Often Do You Backup Your Sites?

How often do you use BackupBuddy? How often do you backup your sites? Do you make DB only backups or Full backups only? Or do you make both full and database backups separately and regularly?

Share your thoughts or answers in the comments below, thanks!

WordPress 3.3.1 was released only 3 days ago, yet it seems so many people are still unaware of it. Many other people are simply waiting for the next big version. A small 0.0.1 increment seems so small to worry about, right?

Wrong.

Unlike the desktop programs, usually on Windows, online software (like WordPress) push out security updates in even the smallest of updates.

Not many people are out there trying to get into your desktop.

Almost everyone else is out there, however, trying to get into your website’s admin and secret areas (yes, look around you! your neighbor wants to hack your site too!).

WordPress 3.3.1 Includes a Security Update

WordPress 3.3.1 includes 15 total fixes, aimed at single and Multisites. One of the fixes addresses an actual security vulnerability, that you can read more about in the WordPress bug tracker.

So what are you waiting for? Upgrade right away, and you should find that all PluginBuddy plugins work with the update right off the bat.

Share your thoughts on this update in the comments below. Got questions about WordPress 3.3.1 and PluginBuddy? Ask away in the PluginBuddy support forums!

After you’re done upgrading, you can stop worrying about your neighbor, and can go back to being friends with him/her. No really, you can stop worrying now. :O

Reserve your seat for any (or all!) of the plugin trainings below, and check out the full training schedule at WebDesign.com, including the famous WordPress Developers Course and Add-on Multisite Training January 12-15, 2012.

PluginFocus – ThemeMyLogin & Tailored Login
January 03, 2012 – Tuesday – 6pm (CST)
Overview: Two plugins that enhance the login screens of WordPress. They both handle login screen modification differently so we will be discussing both plugins. This is a must have training for anyone working with clients.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1+ hour
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: None
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/241968114

PluginFocus – ThemeMyProfile
January 04, 2012 – Wednesday – 10am (CST)
Overview: Once you customize your WordPress login area, the next step is to customize the profile area. Out of the box, WordPress profiles are displayed in the Admin Dashboard area. This plugin will give you amazing control over your members/users profile areas.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: None
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/998211706

iThemes.TV – BackupBuddy
January 17, 2012 – Tuesday – 11am (CST)
Overview: Have you ever wondered how to get started using the BackupBuddy Plugin? If so, this class is for you! Join us as we show just how easy it is to get up and running with this awesome plugin that allows you to backup, restore, and migrate your WordPress site with ease!
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: No Requirement
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/699786458

PluginFocus: SimplePress
January 17, 2012 – Tuesday – 6pm (CST)
Overview: The latest version of Simple-Press (version 5) is a complete rewrite an only works with WordPress 3.3 and beyond. So much has changed and improved with this forum plugin solution. Do you want a powerful forum solution built into your WordPress site? Simple-Press just might be the answer for you.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Requirements: Basic knowledge of WordPress
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/174055362

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