WPHub.com is hosting a poll right now that asks, What Has Been The Most Important WP Theme Feature In 2012? Out of the choices listed, I voted for Responsive Design because of the prolific usage of Tablets and smartphones versus the traditional desktop computer. On that note, I think it was a very wise choice to have the new default theme in WordPress 3.5 have a responsive design by default. After you place your vote, feel free to come on back in the comments section and explain why you voted for that choice.
Most Important Theme Feature Of 2012?
Do You Want To See Plugin Specific Dashboard Widgets Disappear?
Joost de Valk was one of the first to start the trend and now, he’s on pace to reverse it. Joost announced that he has decided to remove the dashboard widget which shows the most recent posts on his site from his SEO plugin.
Joost provided some interesting statistics that show where most of his visitors are coming from. As it turns out, the dashboard news are did provide additional traffic but very little in the way of conversions which is one of the reasons for the removal. Looking at the reactions of those that use the plugin, some applaud Joost for this action while others wanted the ability to choose whether to hide or display the news widget. While not mentioned, I think it’s a little humorous as well that within the Plugin UI Guide published by WPCandy recently, they featured the Dashboard News Widget of Joost De Valks SEO Plugin as what not to do.
Do You Want To See Plugin Specific Dashboard Widgets Disappear?
- I'd Rather Have An Option To Disable/Enable It (49%, 97 Votes)
- Yes (45%, 89 Votes)
- No (6%, 14 Votes)
Total Voters: 200
Loading ...While I want to see the results of the poll question I asked, I’ll pose a few more questions for you to answer. When is it ok to have a dashboard widget such as the one that used to be within the WordPress SEO plugin by Yoast? Is the dashboard considered sacred real estate reserved for only the most important information?
Personally, I like the trend of removing dashboard widgets generated by plugins. In this case, I think less is more.
What’s The Quickest Way To End A Conversation About WordPress?
One thing that can be frustrating at times to talk about regarding WordPress, is what should be added to the core. I equate it to kids fighting with their parents. They want something and are explaining every which way as to why it would be a good thing for them to have and the parents dish out variations of NO. I’ve participated in my fair share of cool conversations that were abruptly ended with the words Patches Welcome or There’s A Plugin For That. I don’t know which one is more of a conversation killer as they seem equal to me but I’m sure I’ve heard the Plugin line more than the Patches Welcome. If neither of the poll choices suits you, feel free to add-on in the comments what you think are good WordPress conversation killers.
What's The Quickest Way To End A Conversation About WordPress?
- There's A Plugin For That (62%, 59 Votes)
- Patches Welcome (32%, 30 Votes)
- Not Listed (6%, 6 Votes)
Total Voters: 95
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Pet Peeve – Akismet Configuration Link Location
Something that has frustrated me for a long time is trying to figure out where the Akismet Configuration link is. My brain and logical way of thinking always points me to the Settings top level menu only to browse around each area to figure out where it’s at. For some strange reason, the Akismet configuration link is located within the Plugins top level menu. This makes no sense to me. That menu is used to view the plugins page, add plugins, edit plugins but not specifically configure any plugins, except Akismet. It’s with this pet peeve that I request the Akismet Configuration link be moved to within the Settings menu. I don’t think Akismet needs its own top level menu.
If you think the configuration link needs to be moved, let me know where it should go. If you don’t think it should be moved, I want to know why you think it’s a good idea to leave it where it’s at.
Should The Akismet Configuration Link Be Moved?
- Yes (91%, 94 Votes)
- No (9%, 9 Votes)
Total Voters: 103
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Have You Removed Or Disabled The Admin Bar?
After all the hoopla surrounding the addition of the admin bar which is enabled by default within WordPress 3.1, I’m wondering how many of you have actually gone through and removed or disabled this particular feature? If you kept the admin bar but have used a plugin or custom code to hide it until your mouse cursor is over the area, select the third option. This is an in-between method that keeps the admin bar out of sight until needed.
As for myself, I’ve found the admin bar to be very convenient especially as it relates to comments as the link takes me straight to the comment moderation queue. Also, instead of logging into the site and browsing to the new post section, I’ve been selecting the Add New post link within the admin bar. The only thing I don’t like about it is the color but that can be easily corrected.
While not directly related to the poll question, how many of you have actually added additional functionality to the admin bar in the form of links or something else?
Have You Removed/Disabled The Admin Bar?
- No (59%, 44 Votes)
- Yes (39%, 29 Votes)
- It's Hidden Until Mouse Over (2%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 75
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Widgets, Modules, Or Metaboxes?
A few weeks ago, there was a poll published on PollDaddy.com that asked the question, What do you call these draggable, expandable boxes in WP? For example, “The Publish _________.”. The choices were postbox, metabox, module, widget, area, container, box, or other. I think the poll question was not specific enough with regards to the question or at least, I was pretty confused.
Attached to the poll is a screenshot of the publishing box within the WordPress back-end. This publishing box is called a metabox as are the other boxes in the sidebar on the publishing page. So naturally, I voted for Metabox. However, in WordPress, there are terms used to describe these boxes depending upon where you are. On the front-end of the site, they are called widgets, in the back-end, they are called metaboxes. I think what the poll question should have asked was If you could change the name of widgets or metaboxes, what would it be? Then, I would have voted for Container, Module as I feel those two best represent common sense of their functions. You have a container that holds stuff. That stuff would be modules. Modules imply they can me moved around and are versatile. This can be understood without pointing someone to a Codex page.
On the flip side, it was interesting to see that 26% of the voters just call it Box while there was a 1% difference between Metabox, Module and Widget. I highly recommend reading the comments on that poll to get a feel for why people voted the way they did.
What did you vote and why?
Did WPTavern Load Any Faster For You?
I’m nearing the end of my one month trial period of using WP CDN and before I make the decision to purchase a CDN account, I wanted to hear from all of you, especially from those that visit the actual site multiple times a week if the site has loaded any faster for you since the middle of April? Using a CDN is a nifty way to increase performance and decrease loading times. Couple the CDN with W3 Total Cache and you have a great little system set up. However, not every CDN is the same. The more sites that are set up as key points for the CDN, the better. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Did WPTavern.com Load Any Faster/Better For You During April-May?
- Yes (47%, 20 Votes)
- Didn't Notice A Difference (40%, 17 Votes)
- No (13%, 6 Votes)
Total Voters: 43
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Would You Take WordPress Advice From A Non WordPress Using Site?
Cruising through the feedreader today, I came across an article that explained how to customize the feed length as well as the HTML tags used. However, the site providing this advice was located on Blogger.com. This had me wondering if users would be less likely to heed WordPress specific advice if it were published on a non WordPress using site. So far on Twitter, the feedback has pointed towards no. However, it’s open to discussion in the comments, after you place your vote of course.
Are You Less Likely To Take WordPress Advice From A Site Not Running On WordPress?
- Yes (36%, 25 Votes)
- No (33%, 23 Votes)
- It Depends (31%, 22 Votes)
Total Voters: 70
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Use The Media Library Or Hand Code?
DiggingIntoWordPress.com have released the poll results from January when they asked their audience, How Do You Use The WordPress Media Library? Interesting results to say the least. 30% of voters stated they loved the media library and used it for all media content. Following closely behind was the occasional use for uploading and editing media. The most surprising result of all is the preferred method of hand-coding and uploading images through FTP which had a voting total of 23%. Hard to believe that percentage is so high but I have a story I’d like to tell.
When I started using WordPress and probably for a year after that, I manually uploaded my images through FTP. I manually organized them through folders and linked to them in the post editor. I even created thumbnails by hand using HTML code pasted into the editor. Upon tinkering around in WordPress, I eventually discovered the media library and figured out one day that all of the images I uploaded through it were able to be reused. Up until this point, I would sometimes upload the same image into the media library to use or I would find a link to an image via FTP. What a time saver it was to discover the media library. I wonder if those that voted for hand-coding have just never realized the benefits of using the uploader. Or, if they feel the uploader is inferior to their current methods.
I’m interested in hearing from you on the benefits or negative between hand coding images and using the media uploader, if there are any.
Would You Like To Hear An Interview With Anil Dash?
This past weekend at WordCamp New York, I had the unexpected opportunity to meet and greet Anil Dash, founder of Six Apart the creators of MovableType. While some may wonder why I would bring an Automattic competitor onto a show about WordPress, I think Anil Dash has a lot to offer outside of blogging. If I were to bring him on the show, I’d discuss the WordPress products that his company offers. I’d also like to talk a bit about Web 2.0, the importance of data portability, some of the lessons learned throughout the lifespan of MovableType and of course, any questions you would submit to me through the forum. Before I setup a date to have Anil on the show, I just want to hear your thoughts.
Would You Like To Hear An Interview With Anil Dash?
- Yes (80%, 37 Votes)
- No (20%, 9 Votes)
Total Voters: 46
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