My Computer Back in Service

I come across quite a few programs, applications and features almost every day in the course of normal work-a-day research trying to find the right tools to use in the Computer Consulting Business.

As a result, I often find some little known Free Downloadable or Online Features that could be of use to almost anyone to make their computing experience a little bit better and more productive.

This is just such a find…

As anyone who works online knows, when someone lands on your site you have a split second for them to make a decision if it’s where they want to be. That being the case, if your page loads slowly, they will be gone before they can see what you have to offer.

If you have a WordPress Blog then there is a solution (at least to page-load time).

WP Super Cache will increase page load times for your visitors and readers by generating html files that are served directly by Apache without processing comparatively heavy PHP scripts (especially useful if you are Dugg or Stumbled upon).

You can read more specifics about the plugin on the home page of the author of WP Super Cache or go directly to the Dowload Page to start using it right away.

Just so you know, I use the plugin on all my WordPress Blogs and highly recommend it for that just in case you’re Dugg moment.

I hope you find this tool to be something useful in your daily computing experience.

If you find something you think should be included, please use the comments below or use my Contact Form to let me know and I will be sure to check it out for inclusion in a future article.

I come across quite a few programs, applications and features almost every day in the course of normal work-a-day research trying to find the right tools to use in the Computer Consulting Business.

As a result, I often find some little known Free Downloadable or Online Features that could be of use to almost anyone to make their computing experience a little bit better and more productive.

This is just such a find…

Maintenance Mode (WP Plugin)

Normally, when setting up a new blog or website I will use WampServer for testing new Themes and plugins. However, sometimes you need to do some type of maintenance or setup & testing on a Live Blog.

This tool lets you show visitors a Customized page instead of the normal error pages they get when visiting your site while you are doing something in the background.

As an added feature, you can still view your site while logged in while visitors get your customized message telling them when to return to see your updated page. 

I hope you find this tool to be something useful in your daily computing experience.

If you find something you think should be included, please use the comments below or use my Contact Form to let me know and I will be sure to check it out for inclusion in a future article.

Installation of any WordPress Plugin is quite similar to any other in the steps that need to be followed in order to function properly. For the most part the only differences will be What you have to Upload to your Host Server.

Every WordPress Plugin I have ever installed always starts with downloading a .zip file. This should include ALL the information, folders, files and particular steps you will need to take in order to complete the installation.

Step by Step

• Download the .zip file…
  • to Your Computer in it’s entirety. Save it to any Folder you feel comfortable using ie. “downloads” or “zip files”. Confirm you received all the files. You can use your default expansion program if you are using an Operating System that has that function or something like Winzip for the next step.
• Unzip the .zip file…
  • to a folder on Your Computer where you can access everything in all the Folders and Files that have been expanded. [Keep the Expanded Folder separate from the Zip Folder, this will help avoid some confusion.] Normally these will default to the “Plugin Name Folder” and include the necessary files and folders you need to use the plugin, and a “readme” file which should have all the Special Instructions to ensure proper functionality of the Plugin (be sure to read it!).
• Log in…
  • to your Host Server and access your WordPress files for the Blog to which you are Uploading the Plugin for installation. This is ALWAYS in the public_html file. Make sure you keep track of where your expanded folders and files are stored on your computer for the next step.
• Navigate to wp_content/plugins…
  • If you need a Folder for the Plugin, Create the Folder with the Suggested Name in the “read me” text. Upload all the Files and Folders necessary (being sure to Create any Sub-folders ie. “image” or “features” and Upload any required files within those folders).
  • If No Separate Folder is needed, just Upload the File(s) making sure to create any Required Folders such as “cache” for storage of temporary information. (Folders like “cache” require the ability for the plugin to write to the folder for storage, be sure to open the folder so writing information is enabled).
• Save everything (as necessary) and Log Out of your Host Server
• Go to the WP-Admin of your Blog and sign in as Administrator
• Navigate to the Administration-Dashboard-Plugins Page of the Blog and ACTIVATE the Plugin
• If needed, ADD any code to the .php files as appropriate (you did read the “read me” right?) and SAVE any Changes

Your WordPress Plugin should function as promised as long as you followed ALL the necessary steps.