Okay, now that we are totally feeling Geeky, let’s consider a few other things we can add to the config file, that will make our blogging a bit easier. One of the things we can do, is limit the number of revisions that Wordpress creates, without the need of a plugin. HOWEVER, I use the plugin, because frankly, adding this line of code to the Config File didn’t take for me. Go Figure huh?
define('WP_POST_REVISIONS', false );
This line above, will turn off the automatic revision feature in Wordpress. Why it didn’t work for me is, well a mystery. So much for feeling Geeky.
define('WP_POST_REVISIONS', 3);
Now this will set the number of revisions, so you can limit it from endless, to a specified number.
Personally I go with the plugin, because it works, and it is a lot simpler than messing with code.
Another feature you can change through the config file, is the time in between autosaves for your blog. Now I personally like the autosave feature, but I think it is a bit too quick for my liking.
define('AUTOSAVE_INTERVAL', 160 ); // seconds
Changing the number to a lower number, increases the auto save time. Making the number larger, increases the time between saves. Keep in mind, the number is in seconds.
There are other ‘advanced‘ options you can play with, and you can find them listed in pure Geek Speak, at Wordpress Here.
Once you have finished your tinkering with the Config file, save it and then you are ready to upload to the server, activate it, and get on with blogging… Sort Of.
Once you have uploaded the files, it is time to activate it. And this is where the so called ‘five minute install’ comes into play. After you have done all the work, you simply browse to the site, using the URL in this way: ” http : // mydomain.com / directory / wp-admin / install.php ” (( Naturally you would enter it without the spaces between the ‘/’ marks, and would use the actual domain name, and directory name, that wordpress is installed in. ))
KEEP A COPY ON YOUR HARD DRIVE WHERE YOU CAN EASILY FIND IT, ACCESS IT.
The reason is simple. If someone breaks in, or it gets corrupted somehow, you can easily restore your original options, by deleting the file on the server, replacing it with the one you have kept nice and safe, on your computer.
Once you have completed the install, and logged into your admin dashboard, time to do something very important. ACTIVATE AKISMET ANTI SPAM PLUG IN !
DO NOT WAIT, DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT COLLECT $200 UNTIL YOU ACTIVATE AKISMET.
Simply go to the sidebar, click on Plugins and look for the Akismet name. Go to the right, and click on Activate, OR select it and then go up and use the drop down menu to activate and click proceed.
It will activate, HOWEVER, a red warning will pop up across the top, telling you that it needs attention, which is a fancy geek way of saying you have do something. That something, is to enter an API key that you have to get from Wordpress. It is free, and isn’t really much of a hassle to get.
All you need to do, to get one, is to have signed up for Wordpress. That Page is HERE.
Now the account is free, and it doesn’t mean you have to set up a blog and all that. However, you do need it to get the Free API Key to activate Akismet, and that, YOU DO NEED.
Next up, getting the settings down, permalinks and all that other fun stuff. Plus, getting acquainted with the new Admin Dashboard in version 2.7 Kind of makes me wonder, if 2.8 is going to be different, but hey, that’s for another post.
Right now, feel good, because you have actually done a real geeky thing, you have installed a working blog in your own domain, on your own server, your virtual new store front on the Internet.
to be continued…
Mar 11th by Malcontent