I've moved! I've moved my online home to mikejolley.com, and thats where I'll be blogging primarily. This site will stay live for archive purposes :)

Posts Tagged ‘tips’

8 fun & useful shortcode functions for wordpress

shortcodes

‘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)

Continue reading 8 fun & useful shortcode functions for wordpress»

WordPress development techniques #2 – Fetching RSS feeds with wordpress

Fetching RSS feedsAs 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!

Continue reading WordPress development techniques #2 – Fetching RSS feeds with wordpress»

WordPress development techniques #1 – Running custom queries using the ‘wpdb’ class

wpdb classIn 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…

Continue reading WordPress development techniques #1 – Running custom queries using the ‘wpdb’ class»

Create a WordPress Recent-Posts Widget

May 17, 2007 | Published in: Wordpress & plugins | Tags: , , , , , , 38

Wordpress WidgetsWidgets 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.

Continue reading Create a WordPress Recent-Posts Widget»

Bad design – my tips on what NOT to do

August 7, 2006 | Published in: Web design & development | Tags: , , 4

Rotten apple

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.

Continue reading Bad design – my tips on what NOT to do»

Dont do what Anthony Dont Does

June 3, 2006 | Published in: Web design & development | Tags: , , , 3

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

Continue reading Dont do what Anthony Dont Does»

About this site

Blue Anvil is the online web design journal & portfolio of , a web designer from Norfolk, England. Read More »
MiniCard Theme for WordPress
  • Featured work - More

    • Beefjack
    • Integrity
    • theotaku.com
  • Latest Tweet - More

    • RT @obox: Handmade eCommerce is now live! http://t.co/qaCvW1XZ powered by Woocommerce
  • Out of the blue - More

    • Download Monitor 3.3.5 Tagged for release

      The latest update to Download Monitor for WordPress has been released; this version comes with a many fixes and some new features, such as improved sorting. For full details view the readme; you can grab the plugin here.

    • Closing the Forums

      Just posting to let current users know that I’m closing the forum on Blue-Anvil. This is mainly due to spam-registrations getting out of hand and being a general nuisance. I will be posting good topics as FAQ items within posts if applicable.

      Please note that you can still post and get help for my plugins/themes by posting on the wordpress.org website.

    • Show off your MiniCard!

      Are you a user of the WordPress MiniCard theme? Its been downloaded over 14,000 times so far!

      If you have used it as-is, made your own child-theme or done something creative with it, please show off your MiniCard’s in the comments, I’d love to see how the theme is being used!

    • Spam Stopper updated for WordPress 3.0

      My Spam Stopper plugin has been updated for WordPress 3.0 (version 3.1.3) – you can grab it here. Sorry this update took longer than my other plugins but this one gets less lovin’ – if you want to change that feel free to donate, spread the word, or rate it on the WordPress.org plugin page.