Web 2.0 tool that I use for this blog: WordPress
With my ability to program PHP and SQL, I could very easily have created my own blog on my own domain (www.pendalhaven.com) However, why should I reinvent the wheel? Just to show that I can? Many people have this ability, so what makes me so special that I should go through all that trouble? Nothing.
Why WordPress?
WordPress is a very successful Content Management System that is available for free over the internet. It has many capabilities and features that while I could design my own for exercise of my programming skills, would take me far too long to actually construct, troubleshoot, and implement.
Feature Set
Some of those features are the widgets, or small modules that offer many extended capabilities through plugins, of which WordPress has a database of over 18,000 for their clients to choose from. I have noticed that many of my classmates that use the same WordPress tool that I do, have availed themselves to some of those plugins and widgets, as exhibited by their side-bar content.
The built in themes with their ability to be customized help those that either don’t have the time or inclination to construct one out of sheer cloth. This feature also allows those who wish to show off their abilities by posting themes for others to use as well.
Another good feature about WordPress, is that it is available as either a hosted blog community or you can download it and install to your own server for more control. Depending on what you’re looking to do with a blog, WordPress is a good tool to use. If you just need a way to voice your opinions about the world, or have a very specific and defined purpose to your blog, WordPress is very adaptable, allowing you to mold the look to suit your task.
My Preferences
For myself, I prefer a cleaner, more simple look and function with my blog, so I do not use many, if any, of the widgets for WordPress, though I did take one of their available themes and customized it for myself. As for the obvious evidence of my use of WordPress….. You’re here aren’t you?
April 2, 2012
pendalhaven
pendalhaven 
2 responses to “Web 2.0 Tools”
Pam Wood
April 2nd, 2012 at 13:22
As a person who doesn’t know what PHP and SQL is all about, I appreciate the humor in your opening paragraph. You make a great point about how WordPress can be utilized effectively by anybody with almost any skill level. It is a great tool for someone like me who doesn’t have programming skills and wouldn’t know how to start a blog from scratch. Like you, I also prefer a cleaner, more simple look of the blog space – I find it distracting when there is too much clutter.
greeneyezwinkin2@aol.com
April 8th, 2012 at 18:41
The elements within this piece have been arranged by the visual color red (background) and two shades of yellow (fonts). Contrast is used in the background color which is depicted by a deep red and the yellow font (foreground). Within the background there is a graduation of color that seems to give the essence of an abstract shape that produces an aerial perspective going from dark to light which adds interest and movement. It catches the user’s eyes as they move following the shape. Repetition is seen as rectangles produce balance within the design. The implied texture of smoothness and heat radiating from the lower right of the design with a sun helps create an intense feeling.
I believe the designer is concerned with the elements and principles of art and design by reflecting specific attributes that lead to a message that is loud and clear. The design is reflecting a hot topic of Information Design. The purpose of the work is to attract the user’s attention and keep it focused on the topic. The title of the work, well not sure if it is, Web 2.0 Tools or Web 2.0 tool that I use for this blog: WordPress, but I will say that if it were the latter then it did give clues to the meaning of the work.
The designer did convey personal experiences by describing in the text how the Web 2.0 media tools have worked effectively for him. The chosen elements create an effective message of the Web 2.0 tool WordPress. A symbolic message that it is a hot topic that needs to be explored by the user. What stood out most when I first viewed this design were the pink/green/yellow flower and the color aqua in the text, “About.”
The art movement that might have inspired this designer is Expressionism because of the exaggerated colors that are used for emotional impact. If I had to choose a title for this piece, I would you name it, WordPress tools: Hot or Cold. I would only change one thing regarding the message of the work and that would be to darken the font color under the word Pendalhaven.
The message is clear and convincing as the designer conveyed the importance through the color red. In my opinion there are not multiple meanings in the design and I don’t believe the designer could have conveyed his message better as he accomplished what he set out to do.
I too enjoy all of the features of WordPress. Good Job!!!
Danelle Wolfe