Maskil.Info Blog Update (3)

I’ve decided to migrate this series of posts to my WordPress test blog.  This is the 3rd installment.

Domain Registrar

Although I haven’t been able to transfer the domain from GoDaddy to BlueHost, I’ve updated it to use the BlueHost nameservers instead of the GoDaddy equivalents.  After an hour or so for DNS replication, etc., I was able to see the test blog.  One of the drawbacks is that BlueHost doesn’t have the smart “Total DNS Control” panel that GoDaddy provides.  Instead, you apparently need to open a help desk ticket for any A Record/MX/Cname changes!

Maskil Test

My WordPress test blog is up and running, after a fashion.  It’s here, but there’s nothing really to see folks, move along…

Maskil Test

The default theme, no plugins or posts yet.  I’m not there yet.

WordPress Install

Although I read and printed the documentation for a manual install of WordPress, I eventually decided to save myself a lot of time and effort and used the SimpleScripts Automated Script Installation and Management provided on the BlueHost cPanel.  I don’t know if there’s any technical downside to doing it this way (e.g. fewer advanced options), but it’s certainly quick and easy.

(SimpleScripts appears to be a replacement for Fantastico.)

Information Overload

When I started in the IT (“data processing”) environment in the early 80s, one of the biggest problems was lack of information, e.g. having to rely on a 7th-generation photocopy of some critical user manual pages.  The opposite is now true, and I need to find a couple of reliable guides to lead me through the avalanche of available information and opinion regarding WordPress.

Update:  Template

You’ll have seen that I’ve changed to the stunning Carrington template framework for this test blog.  I’m starting to lean more and more towards the Thesis framework, however, although it’s paid premium theme.  Two of the biggest issues I need to address are (1) SEO, which is built into Thesis from the ground up (so I’m told) and (2) the emphasis on typography, clarity, the user experience, etc.  I’ll make a decision in the next day or so.  Pity there’s no “try before you buy” option.