WordPress Sydney

North Sydney Meetup!

February 21 · 6:30 PM
Room AG20 - (Block A, Ground Floor, Room 20)

This event has been moved from the 14th to the 21st. Apologies for anyone this inconveniences, but it seemed like this was better for most of the group.

2013 should be an exciting year for WordPress and for meetups! This year we are hoping to build out our community and WordPress knowledge from start (what is WordPress, how to install & use it) to finish (technical stuff and general web essentials). It would be brilliant if you are able to make the whole series of meetups to share your knowledge and learn new stuff.

December 2012 saw the release of WordPress 3.5 and the new Twenty Twelve theme, so there should be some new things to chat about in this intro session, even if you're a WP old-timer!

As always we'll aim to start at

6:30pm Welcome and Introductions

6:45pm Introduction to WordPress (installation, posts, pages etc)

7:15pm What's new in WordPress 3.5 & a look at Twenty Twelve

8:00pm Open conversations and questions
-- if your issues aren't covered above it's still a great time to come and ask any questions you want!

Here's the location of the TAFE, and block A is the curvy one close to the highway.

Join or login to comment.

Jhai Mitchell

Hey guys I'm looking at redoing this word press website http://agentchoice.org/ now should I customise the current Theme or start from scratch using a better like Genesis... the floor is yours!

0 · February 14
- View all 7 replies
- Steve Willats
  
  Using Genesis means you can create a child theme, kind of like a skin. Personally, I prefer this because I can make all the changes I want to my child theme and it doesn't effect the core Genesis code.
  
  0 · February 14
- Graham
  
  pretty much any theme will work if you can style it so it becomes a question of what functionality do you need? What is your customizing ability? and what is the budget? This is a very basic looking site, except the header image and menu are not done correctly.
  
  0 · February 20
- Graham
  
  I like your comment " a better theme" The theme is Armand Morin's marketercms, it's a good theme depending on your needs and ability to customize it. It has some good functionality? what makes genisis so much better in your opinion?
  
  0 · February 20
- Jhai Mitchell
  
  Flexibility for customization but I'm not sure how far it will go with this site. I'll try and keep it simple, so do you think Armand Morin's marketercms will be for medium customisations?
  
  0 · February 21
- Tania
  
  I was desperate to come... drove up and down the pacific hwy for an hour and then came home. Couldnt find it. I realize I might not have gone far enough along the Hwy. looked at the map at the side of the tafe buildings but could nt find. Very upset. Any one take notes?
  
  0 · February 21
- Pranas Baliuka
  
  Jhai you are welcome to try DoMySEO depending on your investments you may be applicable for wholesale prices! :)
  
  0 · February 22
- Kristen Symonds
  
  Jhai, I wanted to mention that you should check out Premise. It's a plugin that is for landing pages and a bunch of other stuff. It's paid, but check out the website and see if you might want to use it. I don't know about marketercms, but the creator of Premise is respected among the WP community.
  
  0 · February 22
Tania

I was desperate to come... drove up and down the pacific hwy for an hour and then came home. Couldnt find it. I realize I might not have gone far enough along the Hwy. looked at the map at the side of the tafe buildings but could nt find. Very upset. Any one take notes?

Like · just now

0 · February 21
- View all 14 replies
- Kristen Symonds
  
  Oh, I'm sorry to hear that Tania! I think some notes were taken, I have some slides that I'll put up tomorrow.
  
  0 · February 21
- Pranas Baliuka
  
  Next time Get address "Gore Hill"
  
  0 · February 21
- Andrew Macpherson
  
  As with Tania I had difficulty in finding the site but persevered with you until you kindly specified the location. The website is misleading. There should be an accurate description of where it is on the website, ie between Broadcast Way and Westbourne Street, Gore Hill
  
  0 · February 21
- Rona
  
  I agree. It wasn't easy to find and I almost gave up.
  
  0 · February 22
- Michael Cowdroy
  
  I also wanted to come but the directions completely stumped me as well, and after wandering around Crows Nest for half and hour in the end gave up.
  
  0 · February 22
- Steve Willats
  
  I think the easiest way to find it is to look for Westbourne Street which is opposite the Greenwich Inn. You can park in Westbourne Street and then it's a short walk.
  
  0 · February 22
- Pranas Baliuka
  
  Crowsnest is about 2 km away ...
  
  0 · February 22
- Pranas Baliuka
  
  It is very easy to find just see translation tower from St. Leonards there are 3 big buildings complexes around - 1. North Shore Hospital, Gore Hill, and North Shore TAFE :-)
  
  0 · February 22
- Andrew Macpherson
  
  Or perhaps fix the directions on the website .......
  
  0 · February 22
- Kristen Symonds
  
  Is there something wrong with the link to Google Maps that even points out which building we're in, or are you all using the mobile app where you need written directions, or some other scenario?
  
  0 · February 22
- Edmedia
  
  When I click on the link "Room AG20 - (Block A, Ground Floor, Room 20)" google maps shows it in Hornsby
  
  0 · February 22
- Edmedia
  
  by when I do it now it's correct
  
  0 · February 22
- Kristen Symonds
  
  Oh, I see... I put a really direct link in the meeting notes because I know it can be hard to find. So I was surprised when people said they couldn't find it; I thought I couldn't be more specific. I didn't realise the location had some automatic link too.
  
  0 · February 22
- Kristen Symonds
  
  I've updated the venue in Meetup to the exact address, I hope no one has trouble in the future. Sorry for the confusion everyone!
  
  0 · February 22
Edmedia

for those that are interested in scanning their sites for malware and other nasties check out http://sitecheck.sucuri.net/sca...

It gives a good break down of the offending files

0 · February 21
Steve Willats

One quick question: should I be bringing a laptop?

0 · February 21
- Kristen Symonds
  
  You're welcome to bring it if you'll want to use it to ask any questions or take notes etc, but it isn't necessary.
  
  0 · February 21
Martha Arifin

Sorry I have to pull out at the last minute. I don't think I can't make it on time this evening.

0 · February 21
James Nethery

sorry I can not make it

0 · February 21
Andrew Macpherson

I am interested in
1 core functionality and add-ins;
2 whether there can be dashboard control or whether WPress (like stereo) is one of a number of components; and
3 whether there is any ecommerce for service module as an add-in which can be tailored.

It is sometimes said Open Source has good applications but try to get one piece to talk to others and you have serious programming to do - better to run with a proprietary option. Therefore use WordPress for what it is best at, blogging and CMS. Please comment.

0 · February 21
- View all 3 replies
- Kristen Symonds
  
  There's a lot in core & plugins... it can take two days to really teach someone about them! A lot can be done though.
  
  I'm not really sure what you mean about dashboard control; there is a dashboard and it's quite extensive and pretty easy to use. Maybe http://easywpguide.co... would give you more of an idea.
  
  There are several e-commerce plugins to choose from; if you're not selling physical products. Easy Digital Downloads is the best, hands down. I'm sure it could be tweaked for services. Or s2member might is alright for selling services as well.
  
  0 · February 21
- Kristen Symonds
  
  I like WordPress as Open Source and for its popularity because there is so much help, resources and extensions. And the data is reasonably portable. If you have a proprietary system and the person or company who built it doesn't want to work on it anymore, more often than not you will probably start from scratch again the next time you want to update it.
  
  0 · February 21
- Andrew Macpherson
  
  Thanks Kristen
  
  0 · February 21
Graham

what is this weeks meetup topic?

0 · February 20
- View all 6 replies
- Kristen Symonds
  
  We'll be taking a look at installing WordPress and then the changes to media management in WP 3.5 and a bit of the Twenty Twelve theme. Then open questions.
  
  0 · February 20
- Graham
  
  Ta, are you talking manual install or script install, customising, security stuff?
  
  0 · February 21
- Graham
  
  adding defines, salts, customizations to the config file?
  
  0 · February 21
- Kristen Symonds
  
  Manual, but there's a wizard that you don't need to manually do defines etc. I don't think there will be time for looking into security much except for username & table prefix. We will probably have a whole meeting about security at some point.
  
  0 · February 21
- Graham
  
  ta, keep posted if you do one on security. re wizard for defines? never heard of that before, but looks like I can't make it now even if space opens up :(
  
  0 · February 21
- Andrew Macpherson
  
  I am finding security an issue with WPress and open source - spam in and spam out.
  
  0 · February 21
Adriana Belotti

Hi Kristen,
I'm sorry, but I won't be able to make it tomorrow.
Hopefully, I'll be at the next one.

0 · February 20
Alexander Stanuga

Unfortunately I now have to be in the city that night

0 · February 20
Edmedia

I can't make the 21st tomorrow would have been better for me

0 · February 13
- Kristen Symonds
  
  Sorry about that! It was impossible to accomodate everyone :(
  
  0 · February 20
Suzanne

Sorry just realised I won't be able to make this Thursday. Hopefully I'll be able to make it to the next one.

0 · February 17
Pranas Baliuka

Google "Gore Hill"

0 · February 15
Pranas Baliuka

DoMySEO - Top 6 SEO company in Australia

0 · February 15
Andrew Macpherson

Could someone please give me a street address number - the link shows numerous Tafes on Google

0 · February 14
- Kristen Symonds
  
  Yep, it's https://maps.google.co... and I've put the link in the event description.
  
  0 · February 14
Steve

Is this still on this Thursday? (I've got a note in my calendar showing for Friday too?)
I'm good for next Thursday, but no longer this Thursday.
thanks.

0 · February 11
- View all 3 replies
- Kristen Symonds
  
  Hey Steve, currently on this Thursday, but strongly considering switching. Will email everyone if that happens.
  
  0 · February 11
- Kristen Symonds
  
  Hey Steve, we're meeting next week. Hope you can still make it.
  
  0 · February 13
- Steve
  
  awesome.
  
  0 · February 13
Martha Arifin

I prefer this week the 14th. I can't make it to the 21st. Valentine or not Valentine it doesn't make a difference for me :)

0 · February 11
- Kristen Symonds
  
  Doh! Sorry Martha. Maybe see you at the city meetup in 2 weeks?
  
  0 · February 13
Vic Zubakin

I'd prefer this thurs as I'll already be in the city - coming down from the Blue Mtns. But if the majority vote is for next week then I'll go with the flow.

0 · February 11
- Kristen Symonds
  
  Hi Vic, really sorry to mess up your plans! There was a lot more requests for next week, so we're meeting on the 21st.
  
  0 · February 13
kerry

Next week is preferable

0 · February 12
Adriana Belotti

Hi guys, I'm good for either Thursday, this or next. Cheers.

0 · February 11
Steve Willats

Valentines day conflict unfortunately. Week after is OK with me.

0 · February 11
Elly Hurley

Wish it wasn't Valentines Day, or I would have been there with bells on. Partner comes before WordPress :) - have a great meet-up see you next month.

0 · February 10
- Kristen Symonds
  
  Are you free the week after? If enough people say they can't make it AND are free the week after we might move it.
  
  0 · February 10
- Elly Hurley
  
  Hi Kristen, yes I am currently free on the 21st. I had assumed as there were 27 attending you'd go ahead on the 14th - maybe there will be a Valentine that comes out of the meeting :)
  
  0 · February 10
Adriana Belotti

Hi there, I'm interesting in creating WP sites for small businesses. Looking forward to learning heaps! Cheers, Adriana

0 · February 9
Peter Shilling

Can't make the 14th :(

0 · February 9
Nicole Miller

Sounds great. I have a travel blog and work in social media

0 · January 15
Clementine

Valentines day?

0 · January 11