There’s been a bit of spamming going on here and we’d like you to know we’re on it.  We’ve researched and installed some new spam plugins to alleviate the spam that’s being posted to sites on the WordPress installation here at Technology Services.  While there are some top notch products out there for doing so, we need to keep costs down, like, you know, to zero.

We’ve found a few solutions that we are trying out.  One solution, Typepad AntiSpam,  is current as of yesterday, 22 Feb 2012.  Preliminary results are so far, so good.  We’ll be keeping an eye on how this plugin performs for some time, but please let us know if you’re experiencing excessive spam in the next month or so.

Keep in mind, that the best way  to deal with spam follows the adage “the best defense is a good offense”.  Be diligent with commenting that takes place on your site.  This does two things:

1. it allows you to catch any spam that might burrow its way onto your site
2. it will be a great way to let your readers/commenters know you are reading their replies

As always, you can contact us with any questions or concerns around spam on your site or any other use of WordPress.  Please email Brian (BrianC_Smith [at] boces.monroe.edu) if you would like to learn more about using WordPress for blogging, ePortfolios or project sites.

Today we updated to version 3.1 of WordPress.  I was working within WordPress while Dana, a.k.a. WP Super Guru (he should have a cape), was updating the software.  It was so seamless I didn’t even notice that the interface was updated.  That said, what will you notice different in the new version?  Well, here’s an exerpt from the WordPress 3.1 blog entry.

This release features a lightning fast redesigned linking workflow which makes it easy to link to your existing posts and pages, an admin bar so you’re never more than a click away from your most-used dashboard pages, a streamlined writing interface that hides many of the seldom-used panels by default to create a simpler and less intimidating writing experience for new bloggers (visit Screen Options in the top right to get old panels back), and a refreshed blue admin scheme available for selection under your personal options.

So what does this mean for you?  It means that WordPress is listening to it’s users and making the software easier to use.  That’s our aim here on this blog too.  In the next few weeks, you’ll see more updates to this blog with helpful posts, links to resources and tutorials on how to make your blogging more enjoyable and effective for learning.