Have you just upgraded to Wordpress 2.7? Have you noticed that for some unexplained reason you’re unable to login? I was on the verge of pulling out my hair when this happened to me. Then I found out the awful truth. I’d just been…

HACKED!

You may have become a victim like I was. Little automated scripts that scour the web poking their heads into soft spots and setting up shop. These industrious characters get their jollies and your search engine mojo by infiltrating blogs, and planting bits of nefarious code.

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Let’s face it. There’s plenty of competition on Google’s search results. Some spend fortunes and others invest entire careers in the pursuit of the top spot. I, for one, know that the search for “George Butler”, results in a bodybuilder’s photographer and an architect before I appear on the list. (more…)

Note: this article is for wordpress 2.6.5. and may no longer apply in newer versions.

The problem: Wordpress is feature rich. It’s great for those who spent hundreds of hours combing through help forums, but all those features can overwhelm those new to the internet.

The solution: Simplify Wordpress for the less tech savvy crowd. I’ve compiled this list of useful links to trim the fat, and make wordpress leaner and easier to use than ever before! (more…)

Voice gives music to words. In the absence of sound, typography communicates the subtle intonations that words alone cannot. Typography plays a major role in not only business, but also politics.

This short video on ABC News explains the importance of picking the right typeface for the job, by exposing possible insights into typeface selection for the latest US presidential candidates.

1. Concise Writing. Use less words. Get to the point! The popularity of “top ten lists” show us that readers want information distilled to point form. Getting the gist of an article in 10 words saves us time and effort and let’s us disseminate the articles’ contents and isolate what actually interests us. Try applying these same principles to all your writing. I took the following quote from Layout Workbook by Kristen Cullen, one of the many books that remain unread gathering dust on my bookshelf.

   “Inspiration is boundless. From places and books to culture and art, as well as nature and science, inspiration comes from everywhere, and the opportunities for seeking it are without end. Inspiration is the spirit or energy that motivates the creative process and provides the impetus to solve communication problems. It engages the senses of the designer and fosters originality. Inspiration signals the beginning of an idea. It guides and informs the designer, giving shape to visual solutions and bringing communications to life. It defines the navigable pathway that leads to clear and dynamic designs.”

   Let’s say this in another way…

   There are many sources of inspiration from places, books, culture, art, science, and nature. Inspiration solves communication problems and motivates creativity. It also serves as a starting point that later guides designers throughout the creative process.

   In an attempt to appear more authoritative, the writer has padded simple ideas with elaborate vocabulary. Trimming the fat from the paragraph creates a streamlined set of ideas, taking a fourth of the time to read.

   John Kennedy once said, “Public speaking is the art of diluting a two-minute idea with a two-hour vocabulary.” And, that’s how this passage was written to impress and persuade of professionalism. So, what’s my point? Stop trying to be the authority and express ideas plainly. Authority comes in answers, not statements.