WordPress is a highly extensible application – big words that mean you can easily ‘extend’ the functionality of WordPress to do whatever you want it to do. The best and most common way of extending WordPress is by adding ‘plugins’ to it. Plugins are just bits of code that provide some specific functionality to your blog – all without you having to touch a single piece of that code yourself!
Plugins are probably one of the “Coolest” aspects of WordPress. With no more than one or two clicks, you can get your blog site to do things that would have taken months of intense effort just five years ago!
These days, there are literally thousands of available plugins available – some free and some for a reasonable cost. But, which ones should you start out with?
Here is a short list of the ten most popular (and useful) plugins that we feel you can’t really do without…
1) First and foremost would have to be Akismet – The anti-spam plugin that is automatically installed with every copy of WordPress. Akismet is free and does a better-than-tolerable job of dealing with all those nasty spam comments that every blog draws like flies!
All you need to do with this plugin is to activate it.
You will need a WordPress.com API key to make it work. This key is free and details for how to get it are in the Akismet plugin description.
2) WordPress stats – If you’re serious about blogging, then you’ve got to be serious about statistics! WordPress Stats will show you how many people are visiting your blog; per hour, per day, per month.
It will also tell you your most popular posts along with the sources of your traffic. Very handy, indeed!
You will need your WordPress API key for this plugin too. Fortunately, it’s the same one you used for Akismet.
3) For all you mobile phone users out there (and who isn’t?), there’s WordPress Mobile Edition. These days, many people are browsing the web – and your blog – using their cell phones. WordPress Mobile Edition renders your blog in such a way that your content fits the small screens available to cell phone users. This plugin is very highly recommended!
4) WP Super Cache – Without going into a long (and tedious) technical discussion, let’s just say that this really speeds-up the loading time of your web pages. And, a better viewer experience means more views!
5) Thank Me Later – A very handy little plugin that sends an email to first-time commenters thanking them for their post. This is a great way to interact with your audience and get them to post more often.
6) Headspace SEO – Search Engine Optimization is always necessary for a blog, and always annoying to have to mess with! Headspace takes care of the SEO details so that you can take care of the content.
7) WP-DBManager – The most important maintenance function for any blog is to regularly back it up – ’cause, if you lose your database, you’ve lost ALL your content! Unfortunately, so many blog owners fail to backup often enough. WP-DBManager automates this task for you and sends you a daily email with your backed-up files. Absolutely necessary plugin!
WordPress Related Posts – This plugin is darned handy! It generates a list of related posts that are based on the tags and categories you mark your posts with. It then presents those choices at the bottom of your post encouraging your readers to delve deeper into your blog!
9) WP125 – This allows you to place small, 125 x 125 pixel ads in your sidebar. Hey! You might as well get paid for your blogging efforts!
10) LazyLoader – If you have a bunch of images on your blog, loading times can get troublesome for your audience. LazyLoader solves this problem by loading images only as necessary as the reader scrolls down the page.
And there you have it… the top ten WordPress plugins that we feel will make your blogging experience much more enjoyable and productive.
There are many thousands more WordPress Plugins to choose from, of course, but these ten should give you a good start in developing a popular blog.
Archive for April, 2010
30 AprThe Ten Best "Must Have" Plugins For WordPress
30 AprThree Pouch Laminators You Should Check Out
If you want to protect your documents to ensure they’ll last a long time, you need a pouch laminator. Luckily, there are a lot of laminators available so it’s easy to find one that’s right for you. Here are three pouch laminators you should check out:
The Fellowes EXL 45-3. The EXL 45-3 from Fellowes is a very small laminator that’s perfect for laminating items like bookmarks, ID cards, name tags, and more. This machine can laminate items that are up to 4.5″ wide and it’s compatible with laminating pouches that are up to 5 mil thick. The EXL 45-3 is easy to use and warms up completely in just 4 minutes. When it’s ready to go, you’ll hear a beep so you can begin laminating right away. The EXL 45-3 won’t take up very much room because its dimensions are 3″ (height) x 10″ (width) x 6″ (depth).
Finally, the machine comes with a 2-year warranty.
The GBC HeatSeal H420. GBC makes excellent pouch laminators and the H420 is definitely one of their best machines. This device has a 12.5-inch feed opening so you’ll be able to laminate a variety of items such as menus, signs, and photographs. The machine can handle 3 and 7 mil laminating pouches so all of your documents will be adequately protected. The H420 is one of GBC’s “QuickStart” machines and it has the amazing ability to warm up in just 1 minute. This fast warm-up time is made possible by the laminator’s unique halogen heating system. Some of this machine’s other features include a quick release mode, contemporary styling, and a 1-year warranty.
The Akiles Pro-Lam Ultra. Akiles just released the Pro-Lam Ultra and it’s one of the best pouch laminators to come along in a long time. This machine is perfect for larger items since its feed opening is 13″ wide. You can expect your documents to look great when you use this machine because it has 6 silicone rollers. The rollers not only distribute heat and pressure evenly, they help smooth out wrinkles and bubbles. The Pro-Lam Ultra also has an air cooling system that helps keep the exterior cool to the touch. This makes this laminator really safe for use. Also, the Pro-Lam Ultra can do both hot and cold lamination and it works with pouches that are up to 14 mil thick. The machine comes with a 1-year warranty.
When it comes to choosing a pouch laminator, you have a lot of options simply because there are so many great machines available. However, the three laminators mentioned in this article are the cream of the crop and each one is good for different needs. The Fellowes EXL 45-3 is ideal for smaller projects while the GBC HeatSeal H420 is great if you need something that can get to work quickly. And the Akiles Pro-Lam Ultra is what you need if you want a high-quality laminator that will make your work look great. Take a look at these laminators today to find out which one is right for you .
30 AprGuard Your Money With Credit Protection Insurance Services
Insurance like credit protection insurance is actually insurance protection against the chance of events taking place which make this impossible to gather on payments due to the business. The majority of forms of this type of insurance protection tend to be structured to provide protection in a number of specific circumstances, including damage to the actual accounts receivable records, personal bankruptcy or default on the part of a customer that owes the actual business a significant amount of money. As the protection may be extended to some massive amount occasions, it is important to note that the insurance provider won’t honor a claim posted for just about any occasion that is not protected in the conditions and terms from the accounts receivable insurance plan.
This credit protection insurance is a largely hidden insurance, which covers your financial troubles and repayments if you pass away, become sick or lose your work. This kind of insurance is also called consumer credit insurance can cover your credit card, home loan or even personal bank loan debt and payments in the event of your own passing away, fatal illness, disablement or unemployment. It’s usually available with a mortgage, personal bank loan or credit card, is actually optional as well as in not a way attached to home loan insurance, which is usually compulsory for those who have a home loan down payment associated with fewer than 20%.
This is commonly offered as a package, such as combined disablement and unemployment handles. In case you’re declare is actually accepted, your financial troubles is usually protected regarding passing away or fatal sickness and the payments for disablement or even unemployment. However, there are plenty of concealed attracts as well as barriers.
In order to start with, it’s important to possess a basic understanding of exactly what really is credit protection insurance. Nicely, it’s not something complex, and can be understood effortlessly. Before you will apply for any insurance, it is very much advisable that you yourself know what you are about to apply with.
The actual negative components in the society attempt to steal the personal info of innocent people, as well as exploit them by making fake transactions on the titles, and occasionally alter the address to route items that they have purchased on the internet. So you should always stay alert, and also to end up being safe and sound, should utilize the credit protection insurance, to ensure that in case of any loss, you might receive compensation from the agency that you have employed for your protection. It is a form of being careful especially when money is involved in the transaction.
The moment a person will undergo credit protection insurance; there is a need to be careful enough and to consider the risk in it. If you avail this type of loan, you have to make sure that you are employed. This kind of insurance must be thoroughly examined by the company. Now, you don’t need to worry so much because there are companies who can provide you with fast service. If you want that your credit is being guarded then you can apply for this loan but still you are subject for an observation. If you are capable, then you can apply for it even in a short period of time.
That’s the key reason why individuals are seeking to safeguard their credit through credit protection insurance programs that claim that they’ll give a good protection towards identified theft and related problems. As it is asserted you have to Usually Perform Secure, and so if you’re concerned about your credit security then you definitely ought to make use of credit protection insurance. Obviously, depending upon the agency that you are signing up with, the quantity of insurance as well as monthly payments can vary. Once you have registered by having an agency, you’re able to get a number of benefits, such as scams alerts, financial debt evaluation, and much more.
Once you are going to be registered, you’ll certainly have the sense associated with security, along with a peace of mind. Keeping in mind the actual vastness from the internet world, it’s important to find the most genuine resources, so that you don’t need to face any difficulties.
It is also the sole obligation of each and every individual to report any kind of illegal exercise to the concerned government bodies, so that others can stay secure. If you are truly thinking about registering having a credit protection insurance agency then you definitely should always search the web for particulars.
If you are additionally concerned about your own credit protection insurance then you should sign-up with credit fraud safety, as it can certainly safeguard your own credit, and offers card safety insurance. When you consider the proven fact that the installments proceed directly to the actual credit card issuer, it’s possible for a credit card holder to say that the credit card provider may be the one who benefits, however that type of thinking is certainly unproven. In the end, the credit card provider didn’t go ahead and take credit card and buy points by using it, and as such, it has absolutely no individual attachment towards the merchandise which was bought with the card it released.
The actual credit card issuer does not have anything to lose in the transactions since it is not really a person’s credit reputation that is going to end up being hurt if you’re unable to make the payments. It’s also not really your loved ones that is going to need to pay the credit card bill from the estate should you pass away without credit greeting card safety insurance. Of course, the actual credit card provider advantages in the respect that he will get their money for those who have credit protection insurance, however it isn’t their main concern while he knows he’ll obtain their money if you are able to return to work at some time or even if you die and he locations a collection on your estate.
The main one who appears to lose without credit protection insurance is the cardholder. After all, when the credit card holder is not able to result in the obligations, it’s their credit reputation that is at stake, and if the condition or situation endures because of long, it can financially wreck him. You are the one entitled to protect your financial matters and obligations so that no one can able to harm them. Protection is very much important in all aspects of life. No matter what you will undertake, security is much needed so that you can organize everything well.
30 AprAre There Case Interview Preparation Workshops?
While many case study interviews require serious case interview preparation, there are also those designed to test how one may fit into a company based on several other factors. However, most all such tests relate to trouble-shooting and problem-solving abilities. As such, there are several things one can do when preparing for such a test.
For example, if one knows one is going to have deal with the unexpected, then one may want to be more relaxed than usual when going into such a test. So, if one is familiar with the act of meditation, one may want to use the time leading up to such a test to sit and clear all one can out of the mind. For, in doing so, one can often think more clearly and often quite more quickly than those who do not practice such meditation.
Of course, in addition to identifying whether or not one has the proper problem-solving skills, when one is a consultant, one most often works as part of a team. As such, there is often an area of such test devoted to seeing how well one may work as part of such a team.
As such, one may want to consider completing a practice case study through a firm. For, while not all offer such practice case interviews, there are many who do. As such, one may want to look for a company which hosts such practice case interviews before moving on to the real thing.
In addition, one also wants to know as much as possible about the consulting firm with which one may be interviewing. For, while there are great consulting companies, there are also a number which have received complaints. As such, if one wants to work with a high quality, well respected consulting firm, one may want to consider running a background check on such a firm.
As such, one may also want to read any and all online reviews which one can find associated with such a firm. For, in doing so, one can assure that one is going to receive the most honest testing possible when it comes to such interviews. After which, one can then decide based on such interviews which may be the best consulting company for current needs.
To this end, if one is looking to enter a management position, one may want to take some time to do some serious case interview preparation. For, in doing so, one can learn what to expect during such an interview. As such, as long as one is prepared for both the expected and unexpected in such situations, one most likely has a better chance of acquiring such a position than those who do not tend to do well with the unexpected.
30 AprWhat can You Get from DIRECTV Deals
Are you tired and disgusted with your cable TV provider? Are you feeling that you are not getting a service worth its price from them? if yes, then it is the best time to change your TV provider. So give your cable TV provider a miss and bring home satellite TV instead. But before you go for any satellite TV provider, you need to understand which satellite TV provider is the best for you and why? A wide array of people have chosen DIRECTV as their satellite TV provider. You too can enlist yourself as one of them. You can have a galore of good times just making a wise purchasing decision and bringing home DIRECTV.
DIRECTV is the most famous name in the satellite TV industry in the United States. You can have a great entertaining time with the satellite TV provider.
The pay TV provider can brings you the highest quality entertainment at a very affordable cost. No matter how small or big your entertainment budget is, you you will definitely get some good satellite TV package with DIRECTV. You can also enjoy amazing HD entertainment, equipments and a lot more with DIRECTV at your place. What’s more? You can get some never before entertainment with this TV provider.
Let us take a look at some of the benefits which you can get from DIRECTV. This will help you to come to a decision:-
Channels: you can get a wide range of channels with the satellite TV provider. You can enjoy the best of the satellite TV channels with each of the DIRECTV deals. You can even get the choicest variety of entertaining shows like movies, sports as well as much more with DIRECTV channels. You can even get the most entertaining programs with the same.
HD Programming: You can get the amazingHD programming with DIRECTV deals at your place. The pay TV provider claims to posess the best HD lineup in the entire satellite TV industry of the nation. it has also created its niche in the HD domain with the best HD channels. if you have a HDTV at home you can now enjoy HD free for the life of the current account with DIRECTV and have a great entertaining time. However, you will have to go for agreement, autopay as well as paperless billing.
3D offering: DIRECTV is the only satellite TV provider in the nation that offers you a good 3D offering. You can get the choicest 3D entertainment with DIRECTV. If you can buy a 3D HDTV you can enjoty the best of movies as well as sports inn 3D mode with the 3D channels. You can also enjoy on demand content in 3D as well.
Whole Home DVR: The new whole home DVR from DIRECTV is the best of its kind. With the help of this DVR you can record your favorite TV show at any room and you can get access to that show from any other rooms.
Bring home DIRECTV and get ready to have a great time!