Copyright: How to Quote and Cite Sources

Posted on by
29

Reprinted and expanded upon with author’s permission from How to Blog Part 11: Copyright and Citations on Blog Your Passion.

There are two issues to cover as part of this ongoing How to Blog series: Copyright and Citation.

Copyright

In “What Do You Do When Someone Steals Your Content,” I wrote:

Having been the target of copyright thieves, and working with writers, authors, and photographers on copyright protection and laws for over 25 years, I thought I’d talk a little about what to do when someone steals your content.

First, you noticed that I didn’t say “if” someone steals your content. That was on purpose. With the glut of information on the Internet, it’s now a matter of “when” not “if”.

The first step in learning about what you can do when someone steals your content is to know that it will happen, so the more prepared and informed you are, the better your chances of prevention and having a plan in place when they steal.

There are many reasons people take and use content that isn’t their own. The two most common reasons are “I didn’t know any better” and laziness.

The “didn’t know any better” excuse doesn’t work with me. If you went to school in the last few hundred years, you would have learned from elementary school on that copying someone else’s work is not just bad, it can get you punished by being kicked out of school, lose your degree, or even your job.

The Internet is no different than the real world.

Learn how to link and quote from published material to stay safe and on the right side of International Copyright Laws.
Continue reading →

WordPress Summer Class at Clark Announced

Posted on by
Reply

The Summer Quarter at Clark College starts in July and now is the time to register for the Introduction to WordPress course, the world’s only full-credit college course on WordPress. There are only 15 slots left.

The 4 credit class runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8:30PM July 3, August 23 at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington.

Registration for the Public is June 6 – June 14. Current Clark College students can register now.

INTRODUCTION TO WordPress CTEC 280 ITEM# 1867

New students must apply as a TRANSFER student to allow for a more direct and streamline registration process.

Here are the specific instructions and I recommend you print them out so you have them with you through the process:

  1. Register at the college as a TRANSFER student by June 14.
    1. Clark College Admission Information
    2. See Clark College Tuition rates for a four credit course, plus $10 fee for the class. (Note: Rates will be increasing in the Fall.)
    3. Register Online
    4. Register in Person
  2. Within 24 hours you should receive an email confirmation from Clark that will assign you a student ID number. Use this number to register for the class.
  3. To register for the class:
    1. Email to prof.tech.adv@clark.edu with your name, contact phone numbers, student ID number, and any follow up questions you may have. In the subject line, indicate you are interested in registering for the CTEC 280 Intro to WordPress class.
    2. You will receive another email or phone call within 2 business days from Clark Advising with instructions on how to register for the class and complete the process.

If you have additional concerns or questions regarding this process contact John Maduta in Advising 360-992-2327 or Reesa McAllister in the CTEC office or call 360-992-2106.

The number of seats is limited to 20. The course is ideal for any business professional, small business owner, web designer, web publisher, or anyone who needs to get WordPress on their resume or learn how to create their own website or blog, so hurry.

Here are some of the lesson specifics and you can learn more on my Learning from Lorelle (Lorelle Teaches) site:

  • What is WordPress?
  • How to setup a WordPress.com blog.
  • Categories, tags, and content organization and navigation.
  • Web publishing with the visual editor, HTML editor, QuickPress/PressThis, mobile, and alternative publishing tools.
  • Publishing multimedia with WordPress.
  • Content development and management.
  • Introduction to basic core site customization (header art, widgets, etc.).
  • Introduction to dynamic web page generation.
  • Introduction to dynamic web design.
  • Introduction to WordPress Themes.
  • How to use Post Format Types.
  • Comments and spam management.
  • Multiple users and authors (permissions/authorities).
  • Managing multiple contributors.
  • Basic analytics and statistics with WordPress.com Stats.
  • WordPress and SEO.
  • Introduction to WordPress hybrid sites.
  • How to create and manage custom menus.
  • WordPress Widget functionality and customization.
  • Understanding WordPress interactivity through trackbacks, pingbacks, and pings.
  • WordPress feed management, integration, and customization.
  • Integration of social media to and from WordPress.
  • Managing a private or restricted access WordPress site.
  • Introduction to WordPress Plugins.
  • WordPress installation options.
  • Troubleshooting WordPress.
  • Introduction to WordPress development for employers and clients.

For more information, see the first announcement about the Clark College Introduction to WordPress class, the Spring Quarter announcement, and Clark College Course Catalog (CTEC is the department).

WordPress and PHP

Posted on by
1

I had the honor of being a guest speaker for the PHP class at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington. The following is the slideshow presentation and references and resources mentioned during the presentation.

WordPress Codex PHP and Programming References

Other WordPress and PHP References and Resources

Lorelle VanFossen at Clark College 30 Clicks Talking Podcasting

Posted on by
Reply

The 30 Clicks program at Clark College is a lunch-time presentation on the web and web and mobile technologies. It’s free to the public and students to bring their lunch into the library and learn more about how the modern world is working on the web. Topics include social media, web publishing, marketing, resume building, and multimedia.

Today, I’m tackling the art of podcasting with a examples of podcasts and tips and techniques on podcasting.

I’ve put the slideshow in a PDF Handout on Podcasting.

The following are links you should know about for podcasting.

Podcasting Articles, Tips, and Techniques

Podcasting Audio Editing Software

Podcast Hosting for Audio

Podcast Hosting for Video

Class Images

Gallery

Posted on by

This gallery contains 204 photos.

The following images are public domain and royalty free and you may use these in the class assignments. Header Images featured below. Non-header Images Header Images Please note that these images may be used for header art but the size … Continue reading →

Testing Broken Posts

Posted on by
Reply

The following is a test for my students to detect code errors. It features Lorem Ipsum based upon the cult television show, Arrested Development.

Let ‘Em Eat Cake

No… but I’d like to be asked! I’m half machine. I’m a monster. Get me a vodka rocks. And a piece of toast.

Meat the Veals

I’m half machine. I’m a monster. I don’t understand the question, and I won’t respond to it. It’s called ‘taking advantage.’ It’s what gets you ahead in life. Really? Did nothing cancel? Whoa, this guy’s straight?

  • I’m afraid I just blue myself.
  • Steve Holt!

Meat the Veals

There’s so many poorly chosen words in that sentence. He’ll want to use your yacht, and I don’t want this thing smelling like fish. But I bought a yearbook ad from you, doesn’t that mean anything anymore? Well, what do you expect, mother? I’m afraid I just blue myself. No… but I’d like to be asked!

Good Grief!

Really? Did nothing cancel? Michael! We just call it a sausage.

  1. We just call it a sausage.
  2. I’m afraid I just blue myself.
  3. We just call it a sausage.
  4. I’m afraid I just blue myself.

Mr. F

There’s so many poorly chosen words in that sentence. Whoa, this guy’s straight? That’s what it said on ‘Ask Jeeves.’ We just call it a sausage. No… but I’d like to be asked! I care deeply for nature.

Exit Strategy

Well, what do you expect, mother? I’m afraid I just blue myself. I don’t criticize you! And if you’re worried about criticism, sometimes a diet is the best defense. Bad news. Andy Griffith turned us down. He didn’t like his trailer. Bad news. Andy Griffith turned us down. He didn’t like his trailer.

Guy’s a pro. Get me a vodka rocks. And a piece of toast. I’m a monster.

Really? Did nothing cancel? There’s only one man I’ve ever called a coward, and that’s Brian Doyle Murray. No, what I’m calling you is a television actor. It’s a hug, Michael. I’m hugging you. Not tricks, Michael, illusions. No! I was ashamed to be SEEN with you. I like being with you. There’s so many poorly chosen words in that sentence.

Welcome to Introduction to WordPress Spring 2012

Posted on by
Reply

WordPress word wordle artWelcome to the second “Introduction to WordPress” class at Clark College this spring, the second ever in the world. The first course was a resounding success with no students failing nor dropping the class. Amazing. You can read more about it

Introduction to WordPress is focused on the core features and functionality of WordPress right out of the box – specifically out of the WordPress.com box. We’ll explore the full features of WordPress and WordPress.com and concentrate on content building and strategies. The extra features that come with free WordPress.com blogs are based upon popular WordPress Themes and Plugins, giving us experience using the extensible and customization features available for the self-hosted version of WordPress.

If time allows, we’ll work our way towards some basic WordPress development, planning website layouts and content support for a variety of business needs.

I’ve summed up most of what you will learn in this Introduction to WordPress course in WordPress Credit Course at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington.

You will learn:

  • What is WordPress?
  • How to setup a WordPress.com blog.
  • Categories, tags, and content organization and navigation.
  • Web publishing with the visual editor, HTML editor, QuickPress/PressThis, mobile, and alternative publishing tools.
  • Publishing multimedia with WordPress.
  • Content development and management.
  • Introduction to basic core site customization (header art, widgets, etc.).
  • Introduction to dynamic web page generation.
  • Introduction to dynamic web design.
  • Introduction to WordPress Themes.
  • How to use Post Format Types.
  • Comments and spam management.
  • Multiple users and authors (permissions/authorities).
  • Managing multiple contributors.
  • Basic analytics and statistics with WordPress.com Stats.
  • WordPress and SEO.
  • Introduction to WordPress hybrid sites.
  • How to create and manage custom menus.
  • WordPress Widget functionality and customization.
  • Understanding WordPress interactivity through trackbacks, pingbacks, and pings.
  • WordPress feed management, integration, and customization.
  • Integration of social media to and from WordPress.
  • Managing a private or restricted access WordPress site.
  • Introduction to WordPress Plugins.
  • WordPress installation options.
  • Troubleshooting WordPress.
  • Introduction to WordPress development for employers and clients.

The program is fairly flexible based upon student abilities and learning process. We will explained into more technical aspects in WordPress as much as time permits.

The class requires are competency with computers and web browsers, as well as basic writing skills. See Class Requirements below for details. It is highly recommended that you have HTML Fundamentals and Introduction to PHP if you wish to pursue WordPress towards a career. Check with Clark College’s course catalog and counselors for more information on the various programs you will need for a WordPress and web practitioner degree program.

Be ready to:

  • Create your own blog.
  • Have something to say and share on your blog, enough for ten weeks.
  • Use social media networks (Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and Google+).
  • Interact with fellow students.
  • Interact with fellow bloggers.

Continue reading →

Introduction to WordPress – Special Guest Panel

Posted on by
Reply

Our Introduction to WordPress class is honored tonight with five fascinating business people, each one using WordPress in different ways. This is the time to get all your WordPress questions asked and answered by WordPress users, designers, and developers, especially questions associated with your final class projects. The group represents all levels of WordPress expertise.

Kim GreenhouseKim Greenhouse is the producer of It’s Rainmaking Time!™ — Amazing Breakthroughs, Conversations, and Discoveries for Everyone, a multimedia publishing company focused on new and ancient knowledge, solutions, and discoveries – uncovering the “truth behind the news.” Recent podcast episodes include Finding Light in the Thick, Dark Fog about social inequality and cultural oppression for a small group of Native Americans, Is Something Fishy About Fish Oil? on the true impact of the fish oil supplement, A Real Life Da Vinci Code about the Chinese arriving in the Americas before Columbus, Healthy & Safe Dentistry, and New Hope for the World on Internet privacy, freedom of speech, and economics in Iceland.

dan portis-cathersDan Portis-Cathers of Deep Sea Music is an award-winning composer for film and television and a specialist in music production and sound design, and developer of computer music applications. His original music is exceptionally diverse ranging from country-western to jazz, from children songs to alternative rock and roll and funky sports themes. He’s released more than 30 albums in traditional and digital formats. Intimate Guitar Suites is his music catalog store featuring his own work and fellow artists from around the country. Dan is in the digital design, development, and marketing program at Portland State University and converting his sites over to WordPress, integrating custom JavaScript, jQuery, and AJAX scripts.

Scott KritzerScott Kritzer is a classical guitar artist and performer, touring world-wide, and a popular teacher in Portland with a large social community and fan club. He created the Kritzer Method, a master program for integrating physiology and guitar technique to promote long-term playing and hand and body health. Scott is the founder of the successful Classical Guitar Immersion Conference (CGI) bringing 20-40 guitar students and professionals from around the world together for an intensive week-long conference annually. He also developed the unique Performance Anxiety Rehab (PAR) workshop to help guitarists overcome stage fright and performance anxiety. Scott converted his static site and active forum to an integrated WordPress site (maintaining the forum) a year ago, making it easy to promote his concerts, classes, and social events as well as share his innovative teaching techniques.

Randy Sandberg of beAutomatedRandy Sandberg is the Software Test Engineer of beAutomated, a web development company specializing in building custom WordPress Plugins for the enterprise market. Their customers are small to large ecommerce and online businesses eager to automate the business process online, especially within the WordPress environment. Examples include custom email and subscription handling, database integration, ecommerce/store integration, migration, and conversion, directory development and management, and other website automation. They’ve created several popular free WordPress Plugins including Benchmark Email Lite emailing management program and beCounted, a unique Plugin that counts up (or down) annual statistics for anything you wish to count such as animal kill statistics, CMS downloads, mobile phone shipments, and the number of mythological created created since arriving on the web page.

Jeff BrockJeff Brock of Jeff Brock Studio is a long-time web designer specializing in designing on WordPress for small businesses, celebrities, and innovative enterprises around the country. He is also a professional photographer, integrating photography with digital arts. He works with beAutomated as a partner, focusing on custom wireframes and frameworks with WordPress. His company offers WordPress installation and upgrades, WordPress Theme and template design and development, WordPress Pluguin creation and modification, content customization, third-party integration, optimization, and graphic design.

Introduction to WordPress Class Featured on Blog Herald

Posted on by
Reply

In Clark College Offering WordPress Development Classes on The Blog Herald, author James Johnson describes our class as possibly not necessary.

In the meantime while I applaud Clark College for realizing the importance of content management system design and implementation, the truth is the WordPress Codex is more then capable of teaching even a non-programmer how to fully work with a barebones framework to create vastly interesting WordPress pages without paying by the credit hour.

Do you think a WordPress class is a good idea or would you rather learn from the Codex?

As students of the first WordPress college course, how about you have your say. Head to the Blog Herald article and let them know if you think a WordPress class is important. Tell them why you choose to take it, and how learning in a college course is different than learning from the WordPress Codex.

Thanks!

Have WordPress on a Stick Installed

Aside

This week we are working on WordPress Themes. Make sure you have WordPress installed on a USB or portable hard drive. As the machines in the class are Windows, use Instant WordPress. For information on other alternatives for your laptop or home computer, see How to Install WordPress on Your Computer or USB.

Creating a Blogging, Social Media, and Editorial Calendar and Schedule

Posted on by
3

Nothing to blog about on picture of desert sandsSportsBusiness Journal has one. So does eSchool Media Marketing, GeneaBloggers Genealogy Blog, SheKnows Magazines, and REALTOR® Magazine. Not only do they have one, they redo it every year. What could these very diverse companies have in common? An editorial calendar.

An editorial calendar is critical for the online publisher and web worker today. In traditional media, an editorial calendar was the year planned out in advance on editorial topics, articles, themes, article series, and events. Today, the editorial calendar goes even further covering social media, marketing, advertising, and virtual and direct social interaction. Whether for the individual blogger or a company, an editorial calendar sets goals and deadlines to keep you on track.
Continue reading →

2011 Prove It Campaign: Prove Yourself on Your Blog

Posted on by
Reply

In January 2012, I started a year long campaign on called Prove It!

I recently learned the true definition of the word “guru.” It means to lift someone up through knowledge and wisdom. It means to teach, to impart wisdom, “to dispel the darkness of ignorance” so that those who go after you will be better for it.

Too often the label is used with arrogance. It doesn’t mean to lord over others as an expert. A true guru probably wouldn’t call themselves a guru. Others would honor them with the title.

After years of being called a guru in WordPress, blogging, and multimedia web publishing and being embarrassed by it, I realized there was more to being a guru than a line on a promotional ad. It’s time to reconsider such self-proclamations without anything to show for it. It’s time to call myself on the carpet to prove my worth, and for others to step up to the plate and prove it themselves.

Here is the article series so far which focuses on proving your personal expertise and experience to back up what you blog about. I just published the last article which includes research on what elements of a website design and content inspire trust in their readers.

Future articles will focus on specific design and content elements with recommendations on WordPress Theme and Plugins to help “prove it” on WordPress sites. I’ll be writing about how to prove it through accuracy in writing, publishing, and interaction with readers, and how to measure the proof of your success through analytics and feedback. I’ll add more articles to this post as the series continues throughout the year.