WordCamp Seattle 2013 is on June 8th this year, and tickets go on sale this morning at 10am.  Pick up your tickets at:

http://2013.seattle.wordcamp.org/tickets/

If you’re into WordPress, it’s an outrageous deal for just $20.

Install Parallels Tools in Ubuntu

Every time Parallels Tools needs to be updated for my Ubuntu virtual machines, I have to remember exactly how to do it, which usually involves a few clumsy Google searches.

So, for the sake of posterity, and to help anyone else in the same situation, here’s how I upgrade Parallels Tools on Ubuntu:

1. Open your Ubuntu virtual machine in Parallels.
2. In the Parallels menu, click on Virtual Machine/Reinstall Parallels Tools.  You should see a disc image (looks like a CD) appear on your Ubuntu desktop.
3. Open a Terminal and navigate to this (virtual) CD by typing: cd /media/Parallels\ Tools or cd /media/"Parallels Tools" and hit enter.
4. In your terminal window, type sudo sh install – Parallels will open the Parallels Tools Installer, which will guide you through the setup.
5. Click Next
6. Select Upgrade and click Next
7. Parallels will warn that you’re about to install and that it’s probably a good idea to save data and close open applications.  After you’ve done so, click Next.
8. Hold on while Parallels works its magic and, when it’s done, it’ll thoughtfully congratulate you and ask you to reboot.
9. Restart Ubuntu and you’re done!

WordPress 2.9 has just been released and it’s another great step in the right direction.

I’ve already upgraded two sites using the automatic update from within the WordPress Dashboard and everything went off without a hitch.

There are a slew of new features and under-the-hood optimizations making WordPress even more pleasurable to develop with and use.

Check out the new WordPress 2.9!

This web-based tool written in PHP makes it easy to search and replace text strings in a MySQL database.
Read more…

These notes correspond with my WordCamp Seattle 2009 presentation of the same name. You can also view video of this presentation at WordPress.tv.

What Does “Bulletproof” Mean to me?

A bulletproof site is:

• Usable
• Accessible
• Secure

Most importantly, a bulletproof site provides both your users and you with a satisfying experience, regardless of browser type, network speed, physical abilities, or preferences.

I’m going to highlight some easy tools to help you:

1. Keep on top of backup and maintenance
2. Tighten up security
3. Speed up performance
4. Identify usability & accessibility issues
5. Increase usability by improving search

Read more…