I’m a full believer in New Years resolutions. Not that any of them are followed through even after a couple months. But, at least people stop to think about what they could try to accomplish in the next trip around the sun.
So, this blog is one of mine, of which I have several, New Years resolutions. I want to publish a blog 4-5 times a week about the things that I am learning as I develop WordPress websites.
I began true WordPress development this last summer. Now I’m not a complete noob to programming – I have worked as a .NET developer for several years – but WordPress was a different animal. Rather than dabbling in database connections, design patterns, naming conventions, and all the OOP minutia – I was thrown into CSS, Javascript, and PHP exclusively. (I did have a nine round bout with MySQL one week too, but I was finally able to walk away with the title).
So I really did see myself as a beginner all over again… which I am strictly setting myself to not ever do again. From here on out, I build on what I have. Developers never stop learning – we get bored anyway – but I’m done with square one. It’s time to move Q-Bert up to the next row… *&!#^@ …. heh get it!
There’s a TON of blogs out there that feature great articles for beginners. There’s also a plethora of articles written for those that are more advanced or even experts in developing for WordPress. What I’ve found is that there’s kinda a missing space where the Intermediate developer reads and learns.
In addition to the goal to consistently write articles for the blog, I am setting a goal of completing 24 WordPress websites by Christmas 2012. I’m positive that I won’t be short of any topics or content to feature on this blog. I’ve already found that every website I build brings in a new challenge and a different perspective or solution to meet that challenge. Just when you think that you have found a way to solve a problem, you find a better way in the next project. It begs that question in all of us developers, “Should I go back and fix the others now?”.
I’ve been told that you should have a solid foundation for developing for WordPress at around 12 or so sites. If twelve is the benchmark, then I stand about half-way through. =]
I’m also looking forward to writing again. It’s been too long since I had a topic as structured and goal oriented as I do now. The mantra of this year is Baby Steps. I sincerely believe that 2 WordPress websites a month is a great baby step, and setting a year out to self certify progression from intermediate WordPress developer to advanced WordPress developer is the outcome of several baby steps to accomplish one big step.
2012 is going to be a great year and I look forward to seeing what digital creations come from my little corner of the world… even from the Cowboy state where most of the rest of the world think we still ride horses to work… and some of us do.
This week’s topics:
Browser Testing – What works for Me.
HTML Blank Template
Boilerplate Plugins
Developing for WordPress on a PC
