Everything You Always Wanted to Know About WordPress (But Were Afraid to Ask)
Blogging May 3rd, 2008Okay this has got to be my longest post title, I’ll have to continue the rest of it in another post. I’m still learning my way around WordPress so actually this post won’t tell you everything you want to know, just the little bit I do know, by accident.
Blog Archive. If you’ve ever paid attention to your post titles or looked at the top of your browser, the word “Blog Archive” appears before your post title. I hated it, but never bothered to ask or even search how to get rid of it. Kathy was kind enough to Zoom the fix for removing blog archive from WordPress allowing me to find it. The solution can be found here. It’s very easy to do because I did it, just don’t forget to backup your blog, always. Also after you remove ‘blog archive’ you will still see this “>>” the solution to removing this is also on the same blog post. I however had to use this: wp_title($sep = ‘ ‘, $display = true) { instead of what was suggested in the post. Keep a copy of any code you are overwriting in, say for example, a WordDoc.
SEO Title Tag. I actually made the edits to my blog myself, but if you want to save about 5 hours, several bouts of crying and pulling your hair out, try this plug-in. This is just one of many, find the one that works for you. I did not know how to do this before yesterday, but if you know what you are doing, it only takes a minute. With a few modifications now the name of my blog shows at the top of the browser along with the post title and no ‘blog archive’. To make this happen I made changes to the Header.php file. Thanks to Megan for pointing me in the right direction.
Find this:
<title><?php bloginfo(’name’); ?> <?php wp_title(); ?></title>
Replace with this:
<title>ThinkingOutLoudBlog.com<?php bloginfo(’name’); ?> <?php wp_title ($sep = ‘-’); ?></title>
Of course, replace ThinkingOutLoudBlog.com with the name of your blog, unless you want to leave it there.
Okay two things you probably always wanted to know about wordpress (but were afraid to ask). I tried out some other customizations, but I won’t post them until I get them working, I hope these two are helpful.
I was able to install edit comments on my blog, so now you have the option of editing your comment after you hit send. It took me all of two minutes to try it out on my test blog before making the changes here. It’s so easy, even a cave man can do it.
If you do need help though, feel free to email me.

May 3rd, 2008 at 3:02 am
Hi Natural,
You’re getting good at tweaking your blog. I’m curious about the edit comments plugin. A few blogs I frequent use one, and after rereading my comment, have used it several times. I’m bad about making typos as I get in a hurry.
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..Blogging - Year One - Lesson Twelve
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:17 am
wordpress has some nice features but I still can’t let go of blogger..I thnk it’s one of those better the devil you know things..:)
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:19 am
Hi Natural,
I find this article very helpful and concise. I’m going to implement all your suggestions. Thanks for sharing with us.
Shilpan
Shilpan | successsoul.com’s last blog post..3 Simple Steps to Kindle Your Inner Fire
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Barbara, I’m learning, but mostly from what other people have written. I’m the typo Queen, so I do like the option of being able to edit comments. There’s another one out there somewhere, but this one works for me. If I can do it, really….It didn’t take long at all.
Robert, we will convert you yet! I do use Blogger, I have to other blogs I sometimes post on and it’s fine. I prefer WordPress and glad I’m started here instead of ending up here.
Shilpan, thanks. I’ve visited your site several times and you have some nice configurations there. I often wonder how people “do that”…so it’s nice when other people let you in on their secrets.
Natural’s last blog post..Everything You Always Wanted to Know About WordPress (But Were Afraid to Ask)
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:59 pm
WordPress kicks Bloggers a$$!
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..Pick A Lane
May 4th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Agreed Meleah, it’s more flexible to me, but it’s probably only a matter of time before Blogger catches up…

May 4th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Ahh… very helpful. One the SEO plugin I use is HeadSpace2. It’s AWESOME.
And I’m like you… I learn by asking and reading and asking.. then putting it all together! LOL.
Jillian’s last blog post..Here Come the Men in Pink
May 4th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I never heard of that SEO plugin…truthfully I can’t even explain to you what SEO is…I think it’s something like LoJack, people can find you.
Yep, asking and reading, oh and testing.
May 4th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
“SEO is…I think it’s something like LoJack, people can find you.”
hahahahahahahhaahah
That is a GREAT analogy!
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..Crazed And Elated
May 5th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Thanks for that SEO code tip. The plug-ins kind of make me nervous (I had to unload a bunch of mine after a scary problem), so it’s nice to just be able to go in and type a line.
Very helpful!
JD at I Do Things’s last blog post..I Will Pimp My Snack so you don’t have to
May 5th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Oh don’t think I’m not on my knees while I’m making these changes JD, lol. I do have a test blog, but you never know how the real thing might respond. It could still crash…yeah, if it’s changing a few lines or two. I don’t want too many plug-ins myself, but some of them are useful and if you don’t know how to make the edits, then they are great!
LOL Meleah, that’s the only way it makes sense to me, almost. I still don’t get it but I get it.
Natural’s last blog post..What’s In Your Wallet?
May 6th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Hey, a test blog! Never thought of that. Now there’s another great idea.
JD at I Do Things’s last blog post..I Will Pimp My Snack so you don’t have to
May 6th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Yep JD..I have one that looks just like this one, but worse, lol. Fake posts, gibberish comments, all for messing up.