The Fatty Talks by Adam Hirsch

Basically, it’s pretty simple to find Plugins and Themes for Wordpress.org installations, just search Google. However, there are definitely resources out there that are misleading and some that are better than others.

Wordpress Plugins

FYI, most plugins should be uploaded into the wp-content/plugins/ directory of your blog. Once there, in the control panel/administration section, hit “Plugins” and “Activate” it.

Always do this one at a time in order to identify an incompatible plugin. Sidebar or Widget Plugins after activated usually need further implementation, by going to your “Presentation” and Sidebar/Widgets button and bring the item you wish to include into the sidebar.

Before Choosing Your Plugins Always be sure to check:

1. Compatible with your Wordpress Version
2. Ratings and Reviews
3. Installation Files should be read to make sure there’s nothing overly complicated that you can’t do (like inserting text into Wordpress files)

Wordpress Plugin Directories

The obvious choices and the first place to check (and you should look through all of them first before deciding which to use) is Wordpress.org…

http://codex.wordpress.org/Plugins = Introduction and Explanation of Plugins, with a variety of information, plugins and directories

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/ = The official Wordpress Plugins Directory. Always check what’s “Most Popular” for a good head start

http://wp-plugins.net/ = Wordpress Plugin Database is expansive and categorized, but I find that it’s a little complicated to browse through everything. However, when searching for category specific plugins, it’s very handy

http://www.bloggingpro.com/archives/category/wordpress-plugins/ = Blogging Pro has a good but small variety of plugins with explanations and updates

http://weblogtoolscollection.com/pluginblog/ = WeblogtoolsCollections is having a Wordpress Plugin Competition which spurred some great plugins. Right now (August 8th 2007) the competition is in the voting phase. So Get to voting or if you check this afterwards, find the great plugins.

http://alexking.org/projects/wordpress/ = Alex King has a great list of Plugins, with easy access to Downloads and the Readme’s, each plugin’s description is well done.

http://dev.wp-plugins.org/wiki/PluginDirectory = Small but useful plugins directory

Wordpress Themes

To install themes, upload into wp-content/themes/ directory. Go to Administration, Presentations and Choose from the Available Themes.

Be Careful about installing themes, since a variety of them aren’t always compatible with the plugins and some may have a few bugs. (Also, you should never have to really pay for a theme)

Before I get to the themes directory, my 2 favorites:

1. K2 or at www.getk2.com = simple, easily editable, great widget and plugin support, updates available as they come out, good support forums, customisable
2. Illacrimo = sexy design, not as customizable, promises to be widget ready

Wordpress Themes Directories

http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/ = Official Wordpress.org Themes Directory, contains only a few themes, but has a theme list (basically just see below)

http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Themes/Theme_List = Not the best, but a comprehensive list, doesn’t include screenshots

http://themes.wordpress.net/ = Wordpress Theme Viewer has a great amount of themes, with screenshots and the ability to “Test Run”

http://www.wpthemesfree.com/ = This site includes Themes broken down into categories by amount of columns, colors, corner types, number of sidebars with screenshots and demos

http://alexking.org/projects/wordpress/themes = Doesn’t include screenshots on the main directory, but has a good list

http://www.wpthemespot.com/ = A semi-large collection with screenshots and “Live Previews”

http://www.themeporter.com/ = A good source for themes with well-written descriptions and screenshots (includes demos)

Well, that should be it. If you have any questions, feel free to comment and I’ll respond.

Technorati Tags: Wordpress, Plugins, Themes, Screenshots, Education, Directories, Installation

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