WA 4

ECT424/ IS324 Assignment Four: WordPress Site

Assignment: Due class seven, Total points: 55

1. Template and basic Configuration: Configure a basic site with a blog (30pts)

a. Select a theme (other than the default theme that came from your webhost) from

among the many free WP themes. Find one that gives you the options to configure

many options (number of columns, menus, etc.).

i. Customize the theme by giving it your own blog name and tagline. You may

make any other format or graphic adjustments to the theme as you like. You

may decide how best to utilize your columns; your theme may give you control

over placement and width.

ii. Build a menuing system for your site ; note that some themes severely limit

menuing options. You can include an external link to the class blog among the

options on your menu (it should be on the menu and not a link in the blog roll).

iii. Create a mechanism for your users to signup (register) and log in to your site

(you should install a plugin for this functionality rather than the default) and

configure the site to allow for registration.

iv. Add the login widget to your main sidebar

v. Set the time for your time zone, and change the start of the week to Sunday.

Use only the Chicago time zone.

b. Post a couple of blogs and discuss. Using your taxonomy, assign at least one Category

(and maybe a tag or two) to your posts. You must have NO uncategorized posts.

2. Required Plugins. Add extensions from all of these required categories (25pts).

a. Plugin for managing Spam comments. Akismet and WP-spam-free are the two leading

choices. You may select a different one if you like. Note that Akisment requires some

installation steps but no need to buy it.

b. Plugin for subscribing to comment discussions by email. There are several plugins that

permit readers to subscribe to the comments of a particular post. Check out Subscribe-

to-Comments, but you should find others as well. BE sure to make necessary changes so

the Admin can subscribe. Even if your theme provides this feature, please install a

plugin.

c. Plugin for sharing posts to social networks or social media. Add-to-Any, Socialize-this

and Sociable. There are several others. Customize the plugin in an appropriate way.

d. Plugin for RSS out syndication. RSS runs in two directions. One, you can syndicate

your blog so that others can subscribe to it. Check out Feedburner and Feedsmith as two

possible plugins. You may be required to register at their sites. Note you cannot just

assume the native RSS plugin in your theme will work

3. Post a document to D2L with your URL in it.