In this first video, we’ll take a look at the WordPress Dashboard, which is the first page you’ll see when you login to the Admin Area in WordPress 2.7. Covered in this video: * The WordPress Dashboard layout and components. * How to customize the WordPress interface just for you! * Hide Dashboard modules you rarely use. * How to turbo-charge WordPress with Gears. * The all-new collapsible menu and functions. * The At a Glance statistics overview module. * How to use the QuickPress module to quickly create a new Post. NOTE: This video is the first in a 13-part series of training screencasts about WordPress. If you enjoy this video, why not check out the rest of the videos on WPOverview.com?

In the second video in this series, we explore how to create a new Post in WordPress 2.7 using the built-in WYSIWYG editor. Posts are the articles, or entries that display in chronological order on your home page, typically with the newest post at the top. Unlike Pages, Posts usually have comments fields beneath them and are also included in your site’s RSS feed. Covered in this video: * Understanding the difference between Posts and Pages. * How to create a new Post using the Posts > Add New > SubPanel. * Personalizing the Add New Post interface. * Formatting text and content using the WYSIWYG editor. * Pasting content from Microsoft Word into WordPress. * Understanding the Visual Editor and HTML (Code View) Editor modes. * How to save and publish Posts to your site.

In the third video in this series, we’ll cover how to edit an existing Post in WordPress 2.7. The Posts > Edit SubPanel enables you to select the Post or Posts you wish to edit, delete, or view. Multiple Posts can be selected for deletion and for editing. The all-new Bulk Edit feature allows you to change the details for a group of Posts at the same time. A handy in-line edit tool, called Quick Edit, allows you to update many fields for an individual Post. Covered in this video: * How to bulk edit or delete multiple Posts at the same time. * Using the Quick Edit tool to quickly change Post details. * How to make a Post “sticky� to keep it at the top of your page. * Editing, previewing and updating a Post using the WYSIWYG editor.

In this video, the fourth in the series, we take a look at how to better organize your Posts in WordPress 2.7 through the use of Tags and Categories. Tags are the keywords you might assign to each post. They are typically displayed underneath each Post. Someone viewing your blog can click on one of those Tag links, and an archive page with all the Posts belonging to that Tag will be displayed. Every Post in WordPress is filed under one or more Categories. Categories allow your Posts to be classifieds into groups and subgroups. If a visitor to your site clicks on a Category link, an archive page with all the Posts belong to that Category will be displayed. Unlike Tags, Categories may be assigned to a Parent Category so that you may set up a hierarchy within the category structure. Covered in this video: * Understanding the difference between Tags and Categories. * How to add and edit Categories using the Posts > Categories SubPanel. * Using Category Parents to sort content hierarchically. * How to add and edit Tags using the Posts > Tags SubPanel.

In the fifth video in this series, we’ll cover how to edit and add new Pages in your WordPress 2.7 site. A Page is another tool to add content to a WordPress site and is often used to present “static� content—or content that doesn’t change very often. A good example of a Page is the information typically contained in “About Us� or “Contact Us� Pages. Pages should not be confused with Posts. Pages live outside of the normal blog chronology, and as such, are not displayed with the rest of your Posts, but are displayed individually. Covered in this video: * Reviewing the difference between Pages and Posts. * How to edit and delete Posts using the Pages > Edit SubPanel. * How to bulk edit or delete multiple Pages at the same time. * Using the Quick Edit tool to quickly change Page details. * How to change the order in which your Pages are listed. * How to file, or “nest� Pages underneath a Parent Page. * Assigning different Page Templates for a given Page. * Using the WYSIWYG editor to add and edit Pages.

In the sixth video in this series, we explore several ways to upload images, video and other files for use in your WordPress 2.7 blog. Covered in this video: * How to upload and insert images or files into the content of a Post or Page. * Using an image as an outside link, or a link to a larger version of the image. * How to size and position an image within the content of a Post or Page. * How to embed a YouTube video (or other video) in a Post or Page. * How to bulk edit or delete media files from the Media > Library SubPanel.

In the seventh video in this series, we’ll talk about how to enable and moderate comments on your WordPress 2.7 blog, including tips on best practices to encourage interactive discussion from visitors to your blog. Comments are a feature of blogs which allow readers to respond to Posts. Typically readers simply provide their own thoughts regarding the content of the post, but users may also provide links to other resources, generate discussion, or simply compliment the author for a well-written post. Comments can be controlled and regulated through the use of filters for language and content, and even queued for approval before they are visible on the web site. This is useful in dealing with comment spam. Covered in this video: * How to enable Comments and Discussions. * Best practices and settings for allowing Comments. * Filtering comments for language and content. * How to approve, edit, delete or mark a Comment as spam using the Comments SubPanel. * Using the Akismet plugin to help filter spam.

In the eighth video in this series, you’ll learn two ways to add links to your WordPress 2.7 blog or website. Use the Links > Add New SubPanel to share your favorite links with your visitors or recommend related resources. Sort your Links into Link Categories. Or, simply embed links within a Post or Page to link your readers to other sites. Covered in this video: * How to add new Links to your sidebar using the Links > Add New SubPanel. * Choosing the target or destination when your visitor clicks on a Link. * Organize your Links into related Link Categories for easy navigation. * Editing or deleting multiple Links at once using the Links > Edit SubPanel. * How to easily create a Link within a Post or Page.

In the ninth video in this series, you’ll learn how to update the look of your WordPress 2.7 blog or website through the use of site templates. From the Appearance > Themes SubPanel, you can control how the content of your blog is displayed. WordPress allows you to easily style your site by either installing and activating new Themes or changing existing Themes A Theme is actually a bundle of files that determine the overall design of a site, including colors, graphics, layout, and fonts. A Theme is also sometimes referred to as a “skin�. There are literally thousands of WordPress Themes available to choose from, running the entire gamut of both quality and price. Covered in this video: * How to update the look of your site with one click using the Appearance > Themes SubPanel. * Previewing changes before you apply a new Theme. * Editing raw Theme files using the Appearance > Editor SubPanel.

In the tenth video in this series, we’ll learn what Widgets are, and how they can be used to modify the sidebar content of your WordPress 2.7 site. Widgets are gadgets — actually small chunks of code — that enable you to add various pieces of information to your Theme’s sidebar content. For example, Widgets can be used to add Categories, Archives, Links, Recent Posts, Recent Comments, and even custom text or HTML content to your sidebar. Covered in this video: * What are Widgets, and how do they appear on your website? * How to Add and Edit Widgets using the Appearance > Widgets SubPanel. * How to rearrange the order of Widgets in the sidebar of your site. * Using the RSS Widget to include headlines from a related site.