
‘Shortcodes’ are a feature of wordpress used for executing custom functions by inserting a small snippit of code into a post. For example, my download monitor plugin now uses shortcodes; by entering [download id="1"] into a post, the plugin will output a download link.
The shortcode syntax varies, here are some examples:
[shortcode]
[shortcode atribute="value"]
[shortcode]Text[/shortcode]
Shortcodes can be created to perform a handful of useful functions. To use any of the shortcodes in this post I recommend adding the functions to your functions.php theme file (create it if it does not exist!). Ill show shortcodes ranging from showing adsense to speaking pirate! (written for wordpress 2.7)

As promised last week, this week we are looking at fetching RSS feeds with Magpie RSS.
Magpie is an PHP based RSS feed parser; I.E. It fetches RSS feeds to display in other places, which gives it many uses.
Unknown to many, wordpress has the magpie RSS parser built in, this article will teach you how to use it, and also how to fetch and show someones del.icio.us bookmarks!

In this first edition of “WordPress development techniques” I will be talking about one of the most useful classes available for use in wordpress: wpdb.
The wpdb class (WordPress DataBase class) is based on the ezSQL class, and handles database connections and queries.
Why use it? You can make all sorts of custom queries, and pull information from the wordpress database, including posts! Read on for more information on this useful class…

Widgets are a cool new feature built into wordpress version 2.2, and allow you to drag mini plugins into your widget-enabled theme’s sidebars.
They have all kinds of uses, searches, polls, you name it.
This article will show you how to create a customisable Recent post widget for yourself.


When designing web sites, and adding content, it is often hard to spot your own mistakes and bad design habits.
This article identifies common pitfalls and annoyances with web sites, and advice and tips about what you can do to ensure you do not do the same!
If this article helps you, please feel free to leave a comment.

This list describes some common pitfalls that most sites could vanquish really easily to achieve better SEO. I have personally made some of these mistakes; luckily I found my own solutions which I’ll share with you. This is my growing list of SEO Mistakes;
Written by Anthony Brewittt
