WordPress: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
There are literally hundreds of thousands of bloggers these days and many of them are using WordPress, a popular blogging software that gives “power to the people” by offering a platform to voice from.
Tim Grahl, Web Developer and co-founder of Out:think, joins Anita to discuss all things WordPress, ranging from plugins, to customization, to necessary upgrading and beyond.
Weather you’re a seasoned blogger using WordPress or a newbie simply considering it – there’s something to learn.
Below are the questions we asked Tim in this episode:
- (2:23) First Tim, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background?
- (3:33) Give us a brief explanation about WordPress. What is it, how did it first start and what has it grown into?
- (5:55) Why has WordPress grown so much?
- (7:20) What is a plugin? Basically we’re talking about a piece of software you add on to the core of WordPress, is that how you would describe it?
- (8:43) I understand there is something called the “5 minute install.” What is it and what is the benefit of that?
- (10:25) Talk about design for a moment. How easy is it and do you have to have a designer to get started with WordPress?
- (12:29) Can you explain what the CSS and XHTML acronyms mean?
- (13:55) From your perspective, what advice would you give business owners on how to find a good web developer? What should we look for or ask them?
- (16:20) Can you give everyone listening a couple of examples of how you’ve customized WordPress?
- (19:50) Another thing you’ve done recently is develop a low-cost website solution that is customized for Etsy shop owners, using WordPress. Can you tell us about that?
- (24:28) What are some of the bad and even ugly things about WordPress?
- (25:48) How can you manage some of the negatives?
- (28:43 ) If you were starting out afresh as a developer, would you choose WordPress all over again?
- (29:26) Tim, where can people find out more?
Listen to Tim’s full interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below.
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March 17th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I have to listen to this interview. I am in the process to set up an “empire” of blogs using the WordPress template called Revolution by Brian Gardner. I even have a converted & enhanced Revolution template by eBlog Templates for my Blogger powered EGO blog.
We have been able to set up a couple of blogs with a web host in America, but we haven’t managed to set up the “HQ” site on a host in Sweden yet. I haven’t manage to use the “5 minute install”!
I “freaked out” when I read about MySQL database, changing a WP configuration file, etc.! 
I will send a link to the podcast to the founder of this new online business “joint venture”!
March 17th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Yes. I think I have to listen to this also. I’m a simple and contented Blogger user. It’s about time to check out other platforms too.
March 18th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Great interview. I just recently switched my site to WordPress and I used the 5 minute install. It was a breeze. A lot easier than I had thought it would be. I had been using Typepad before and I am pleased with the added abilities WordPress gives me. If I have any other needs in the future, now I know that I can turn to Tim for his services.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Very informative interview. You have done some great things with Anita’s web sites. If someone if new to WordPress or has some experience – there is something to learn from this interview!
March 20th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Leo, I agree with you. Very informative and really helpful.
March 22nd, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Amanda, how will you rate WP’s performance out of 5? and how about typepad? Based on your experience…
March 28th, 2009 at 5:22 am
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Joannah
June 12th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
That was a great post. I will have to bookmark this site so I can read more later.