The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has moved all of their blogs to WordPress MU (the multi-user version of WordPress). I’m not completely sure of this, but a commenter noted that the AJC previously used Movable Type.
I had this link sitting in my RSS reader for a while, thinking about a follow up to my earlier post about good looking government websites.
The City of Albert Lea, Minnesota (more on Wikipedia), recently updated it’s website’s look and converted to using WordPress (open source software that runs this site and millions others) as a content management system. Head over to their site, it looks great. Staff at the City of Albert Lea estimated that they would have to spend $20,000 for a new website, but a city resident volunteered to do the work for just $720.
There is a really good article in the Albert Lea Tribune about the move to WordPress. A good quote:
It is a Web-based content management system that allows officials in each department to change their pages without needing much knowledge of Internet language, said Teresa Kauffmann, the city’s public information coordinator.
And about the ease of updating the new website:
The old site was created in 2004. Hosted by Austin-based Southern Minnesota Internet Group, it left city officials several hoops to jump through for basic changes. Basically, SMIG had the keys. The new site’s host is an Internet company called 1&1 but because of the CMS nature of WordPress templates, Kauffmann and city officials have the keys. No more calling Austin. Now, they simply go to a special administration site that manages the main site.
And the most important part is that they aren’t finished yet:
She said she will head focus groups comprising Albert Lea citizens. She said she seeks members of all ages, backgrounds and computer skills. People interested in being on a focus group for the city Web site can contact Kauffmann at 377-4380 or tkauffmann@city.albertlea.org.
This is really great. I’m going to keep a lookout for more local government websites using WordPress.
H/t to Ma.tt.
USA Today has a good profile of the WordPress open source blogging engine and its founder, Matt Mullenweg.
Just a quick post, but the site is now operating using WordPress 2.7. You shouldn’t be able to tell a difference from the frontend, but the administrative sections look amazing and are really easy navigate. If you have a WordPress site and haven’t updated already, you should get on to it. And once you install WordPress 2.7, you can keep it updated with one-click! Enjoy, because WordPress 2.7 makes posting so much easier – meaning you should see lots more from me (as soon as finals are finished).
Boys’ Life magazine is now using WordPress open source software for their website. Boy’s Life is the monthly magazine of the Boy Scouts of America.
The first beta of WordPress 2.7 was just released, and I have to say, the new dashboard is sexy. Check out the cool features and some pictures here.
Saturday morning (very early) I am heading with my MPA class to the International City/County Management Association’s Annual Conference. I’m really excited about meeting lots of fellow KUCIMATs and learning lots. This is my first professional conference of any kind, so this will be a new experience for me.
The Annual Conference is in Richmond, Virginia this year. You can follow the happenings on the ICMA 2008 Annual Conference blog (run on WordPress!).
This evening I updated all of my WordPress-running sites (including ChrisMLindsey.com) to WordPress version 2.6.2. Let me know if you see anything awry with the site. And if you run a site (or sites) on WordPress, makes sure to update. I can’t wait for WordPress 2.7!
Three days ago, the new website of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom was unveiled. The WordPress Publisher Blog spread the exciting news that the new site is powered by the open source software WordPress.
I’ve been drafting a post about open source software being used in big ways, in an effort to dispell the idea that utilizing open source is a security risk. The PM’s site is a big addition to the list, and should show the detractors that if the PM’s office thinks WordPress is secure, you should too.
There has long been an iPhone plugin for WordPress, but now there is an official WordPress for iPhone application. The open source, and free, app is available tomorrow from the App Store. The app works for both .org and .com WordPress. I so want an iPhone now, but it is just too expensive.