Here’s the summary from the September meetup:
Theme Bloat and Some Solutions
Presenter: Robert Gilmer
Galleries:
- WordPress’ built in galleries
- FooGallery http://fooplugins.com/wordpress-gallery-plugin/
- Envira Gallery ($) http://enviragallery.com/
- Advanced Custom Fields http://www.advancedcustomfields.com/
- with paid Gallery add-on http://www.advancedcustomfields.com/add-ons/gallery-field/
- Not considered: NextGen Gallery (does play by the rules)
Sliders:
- Meteor Slides https://wordpress.org/plugins/meteor-slides/
- Soliloquy Lite https://wordpress.org/plugins/soliloquy-lite/
- Soliloquy ($) http://soliloquywp.com/pricing/
- Revolution Slider (use newest version!) http://codecanyon.net/item/slider-revolution-responsive-wordpress-plugin/2751380
Testimonials:
- HMS Testimonials https://wordpress.org/plugins/hms-testimonials/
Shortcodes:
- Shortcodes Ultimate https://wordpress.org/plugins/shortcodes-ultimate/
Forms:
- Contact Form 7 with Contact Form DB to store submissions https://wordpress.org/plugins/contact-form-7/
- JetPack – decent forms https://wordpress.org/plugins/jetpack/
- Premium: Gravity Forms ($) http://www.gravityforms.com/
- Formidable: Free and paid versions https://formidablepro.com/
Themes:
- ThemeForest (use caution, some better than others)
- Elegant Themes
- OK Themes
- StudioPress / Genesis
- iThemes
- WooThemes
- Avoid: Template Monster (too many non-compliant)
WordCamp Las Vegas 2014
Presenter: Andrew DeMino
http://2014.vegas.wordcamp.org/
Uniting the Developer and Business Communities with WordPress
December 13, 14, 2014
Tickets available starting Sept 29 (Meetup members)
Oct 1 open to all
Only 200 tickets total
Will be video recording the presentations
http://WordCamp.org has a list of upcoming WordCamps in other areas.
Go to http://WordPress.tv to see videos from other WordCamps all over the world.
Google Webmaster Tools
Presenter: Kenny Eliason
https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools
Uses WordPress SEO by Yoast https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/
https://neonbrand.com/seo/how-to-set-up-google-webmaster-tools/
Good sharing plugin:
http://www.simplesharebuttons.com/
Can add pages or subsections of your site in GWT to get more granular information.
Custom Post Types
Presenter: Russ Aaron
http://codex.wordpress.org/Post_Types
http://codex.wordpress.org/Taxonomies
WordPress 4.0 Hightlights
Presenter: John Hawkins
WordPress 4.0 http://codex.wordpress.org/Version_4.0
New features:
Media handling, video embeds, editor screen.
Misc:
Membership Plugins
http://chrislema.com/best-wordpress-membership-plugin-2014/
Member Mouse http://membermouse.com/
List of plugins that John has worked on: