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DamnitImstillconfused! What (exactly) *IS* "wordpress"???

by TimothyW
18 replies
Ok -- semi-rant/whine here...

I need some clarification (once and for all) + sorry if these q's seem too dumb-dumb...

Ok -- there's wp that is similar to blogger -- a free, web-based way to have a blog -- all "hosted" for free. That I fully understand.

Here's where the confusion sets in...

I see people "using" wp to make sites that are not blogs at all. Using plug-ins, etc.

I see them using their (paid) hosting companies to host these wp-generated sites (yes?) I see hosting companies having something called 'fantasico' to enable these users to "install" wp easily -- and edit their sites, etc. ---- ALL "USING" wp (???)

When you use fantastico to "install" wp, WHERE are you "installing" it *TO*? -- And *WHAT* (exactly) are you "installing"??

Ok -- so, if it's not a blog, and it's not hosted for free (as a wp blog is), and you're not using wp to edit it -- then *WHY* (and how) are you "USING" wp at all?

How is that different than just building a 'regular' site in the regular way?

So, I guess here are my questions...

1) What (exactly) *IS* wp (when used in a non-free-blog way)?

2) HOW are you (said to be) "using" wp when you "use" wp to build a 'regular' site?

3) What is a 'static' site -- and how does it differ from a 'non-static' site?

4) I saw a sales page that said there are TWO types of wp sites, and using wp in the wrong way for the wrong type of site will get you "BANNED!" What does THAT mean??

5) What are the benefits of "using" wp to build a site -- and what are the potential disadvantages?

6) If you are (indeed) hosting your 'regular' style wp-generated sites using a private (paid) hosting co -- and NOT using the quasi-hosting that the free-wp-blogs use, then are you in danger of getting the plug pulled by wp (tos?) if you "use" wp for making a commercial site?

As you can see, I am PLENTY confused on this issue. Just another iming area I can't seem to get my head around (the overall concept).

Please advise!!

Thanks!!

-- TW
#building #damnitimstillconfused #hosting #site #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    Wordpress is an extensible content management system. It can be a lot of things, depending on how you set it up.

    I have never heard anyone say that a self-hosted WP install can get you banned if you use it "wrongly," just for the adaptations chosen.


    Paul
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    Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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  • Profile picture of the author Kelly Verge
    Wordpress is a framework.

    On wordpress.com, they have a version of this framework that allows anyone to set up a free blog. On their site, you have to play by their rules (use their themes, refrain from being overly promotional, etc.) or we could have our blog taken down (probably where you picked up the "banned" idea).

    Most of us, however, set up this framework on our own site (using fantastico as you mentioned). This allows up to add themes we like, plugins that extend the functionality, and even make the final site look as if it's not a blog.

    The advantages are that the sites are easier to set up and modify than static html sites. Since the framework was designed for blogging, adding new content is very simple. These sites also tend to help with SEO because the framework handles a lot of this for you (RSS feed, pinging, on-page SEO). Various plug-ins can make the SEO even better.

    Make sense?
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  • Profile picture of the author TimothyW
    You say, 'framework.' Like an unseen template? Infrastructure?

    So when you "use" fantastico to "install" wp with your hosting co, you are installing the wp framework? To one site at a time?

    Is that wp framework opensource? I guess it must be, right? So, when you install that wp framework onto that one site (using fantas.), you are hosting that site using your own hosting co, so that way you are no longer under the free-blogging tos, right?

    Howm'I doin' so far? (he said, mentally untangling the yarn)

    -- TW

    PS: What's so great about the wp framework compared to a good-old-fashioned template? Easier to manage / add content -- better seo???
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    Originally Posted by -- TW View Post

    1) What (exactly) *IS* wp (when used in a non-free-blog way)?
    WordPress is a publishing platform. It is basically a package you install on your webserver for use as a content management system for your website.

    WordPress.com is the free service, like Blogger.

    WordPress.org is where you can download WordPress for installation on your webserver.

    2) HOW are you (said to be) "using" wp when you "use" wp to build a 'regular' site?
    WP is installed on your server. See answer #1.

    3) What is a 'static' site -- and how does it differ from a 'non-static' site?
    There are two types of sites: static or dynamic.

    A static site is basically nothing more than hard-coded web pages. That is, the content does not change based on updated data in a database, for example. A dynamic site does update, automatically, based on new data being provided.

    Let's say that you have a webpage with a price list. On a static web page, when there is a price change, you would need to manually go in and update that price on your price list. If that price is listed in your price list and the product page, you have to change that price in two locations.

    On a dynamic site, where the price is pulled from a database, all you need to do is update the database and every page that references that price from the database will show the new price. You don't have to manually update every page that shows the price. The price is dynamically updated from the database.

    4) I saw a sales page that said there are TWO types of wp sites, and using wp in the wrong way for the wrong type of site will get you "BANNED!" What does THAT mean??
    On the WordPress.COM site, you need to abide by their rules or you could get banned. For a self-hosted WordPress site, you don't have to worry about that.

    5) What are the benefits of "using" wp to build a site -- and what are the potential disadvantages?
    In short, the advantages are that it's free, it can be search engine friendly, it can make things faster and easier to get online. The disadvantages are that it's vulnerable to hackers and requires a lot of updating to stay current and to try to stay one step ahead of the hackers.

    6) If you are (indeed) hosting your 'regular' style wp-generated sites using a private (paid) hosting co -- and NOT using the quasi-hosting that the free-wp-blogs use, then are you in danger of getting the plug pulled by wp (tos?) if you "use" wp for making a commercial site?
    No.
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  • Profile picture of the author MisterMunch
    You are understanding it right.

    When you use the fantastico on your own host/domain, you get the exact same blue blog as you do when you start a free wp blog.

    Your benefit is that it is on your server and domain and you can use it to sell as hard as you want.

    When your wordpress blog is on your site, you can use any wordpress theme you like. There are many to choose from. You have news themes, article directory themes, review themes.

    Since it is open source, a lot of people have made new themes and functionallity. Some are free and some are paid.

    You also have plugins that let you do different things on your blog as well.
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    • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
      The way I explain Wordpress to my clients is this - and I know it's not 100% accurate from a purist's point of view!!

      Wordpress is a form of web design software, except that it is installed on your server instead of on your local computer. You can use it to design blogs (by using "sheets" with posts on), or you can use it to design regular style websites by using pages.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dianaca
        I understand where you're coming from. I was just as confused when I first started with WP. I just wanted to share with you a site that helped me A LOT! Tons of free information that might help you break through those cobwebs;-)

        Court's Internet Marketing School - How To Make Money Online
        (no affiliate relation whatsoever)

        Good Luck!!
        Diana
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  • Profile picture of the author Anup Mahajan
    I think Dan has answered your questions very well..

    WP platform can be daunting for newbies as there are tons of plugins available that can do variety of things.... I remember when I created my first WP Blog... It was challenging but I learned a lot...
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    • Profile picture of the author TimothyW
      Originally Posted by anup.mahajan View Post

      I think Dan has answered your questions very well..

      WP platform can be daunting for newbies as there are tons of plugins available that can do variety of things.... I remember when I created my first WP Blog... It was challenging but I learned a lot...
      You stumbled upon what makes this all so confusing in the first place!! You used the word "BLOG" Why do you use that word, when you (probably) don't mean "BLOG" at all -- yes?

      THIS is where the mental tailspin begins!

      -- TW
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      • Profile picture of the author The Pension Guy
        Originally Posted by -- TW View Post

        You used the word "BLOG" Why do you use that word, when you (probably) don't mean "BLOG" at all -- yes?
        Regardless of what people say... WP (WordPress) is primarily a blogging tool. At the beginning that was the ONLY thing you could with the free, open source WP script (downloadable from wordpress.org). At that time wordpress.com didn't even exist.

        As it evolved, it become a more general publishing tool: you can create with it blogs or sites that look like not a blog... and everything in between. You can even have a seemingly "static" site (like classic web pages) and a blog next to it - all with one single WP installation.

        WP is a tool. You use it for what you need. It is that simple.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
        Originally Posted by -- TW View Post

        You stumbled upon what makes this all so confusing in the first place!! You used the word "BLOG" Why do you use that word, when you (probably) don't mean "BLOG" at all -- yes?

        THIS is where the mental tailspin begins!

        -- TW
        All blogs (that I know of) are websites, but not all websites are blogs.

        A blog is a type of website.

        WordPress was (as I recall) originally developed as a content management system for blogs.

        There are many options for content management systems (CMS) out there. They are used for blogs and other websites as well.

        Over time, people began using WordPress as a CMS for more than just blogs.

        As a result, WordPress (and its numerous plugins) evolved and can be used for building a blog or a variety of other types of websites as well.
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        Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

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  • Profile picture of the author TimothyW
    Dan -- you said...
    All blogs (that I know of) are websites, but not all websites are blogs.
    A blog is a type of website.

    >>> Yes, I understand that. I'm just saying that referring to a site as a "blog" (even when it is NOT a blog), just because it was built "using" wp, is where the confusion starts. I believe that's what that other poster meant when he said, "I remember how confusing it was when I set up my first wp *BLOG*"

    I'm guessing he did not mean "BLOG" at all.

    -- TW
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Originally Posted by -- TW View Post

      Yes, I understand that. I'm just saying that referring to a site as a "blog" (even when it is NOT a blog), just because it was built "using" wp, is where the confusion starts. I believe that's what that other poster meant when he said, "I remember how confusing it was when I set up my first wp *BLOG*"

      I'm guessing he did not mean "BLOG" at all.
      The distinction between a blog and a non-blog is blurring more and more.

      You could have a "normal" website and run a WordPress blog in a subdirectory, like this:

      www .domain .dom/blog

      Or, you might use WordPress as the CMS for your website, but still incorporate blog features.

      You might even use WordPress as a CMS for your website and then stick WP in a subdirectory to serve as your blog.

      I might have a blog that's evolved into something much more than a blog, but still call it a blog because that's what it is to me. Or, I might have a website that started as a "normal" website before I used WP and has since evolved into what would now be called a blog.

      I agree that it can be confusing. But, it's the nature of the beast. Things keep changing, and the line between a standard website and a blog continues to blur. In a growing number of cases, you could regard "blog" and "website" as interchangeable.

      Just think of all the people that come from the offline business world, start exploring Internet Marketing, and hear there's lots of money to be made with offers from Certified Public Accountants.
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      Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

      Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author Anup Mahajan
    I did mean BLOG.. I purchased a domain and created my site that happened to be a blog using the Wordpress CMS

    I hope I am clear this time
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  • Profile picture of the author TimothyW
    AHA! sorry. But you do know that *some people* call ANY type of site built "using" wp, a "blog." Maybe because that's where wp was "born."

    Anyhow, thanks to all for clearing all that wp mess up for me. I'm sure I'm not the only one who was confused by it -- or maybe I was!!

    Cheers + thanks again.

    -- TW
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Originally Posted by -- TW View Post

    Ok -- semi-rant/whine here...

    I need some clarification (once and for all) + sorry if these q's seem too dumb-dumb...

    Ok -- there's wp that is similar to blogger -- a free, web-based way to have a blog -- all "hosted" for free. That I fully understand.

    Here's where the confusion sets in...

    I see people "using" wp to make sites that are not blogs at all. Using plug-ins, etc.

    I see them using their (paid) hosting companies to host these wp-generated sites (yes?) I see hosting companies having something called 'fantasico' to enable these users to "install" wp easily -- and edit their sites, etc. ---- ALL "USING" wp (???)

    When you use fantastico to "install" wp, WHERE are you "installing" it *TO*? -- And *WHAT* (exactly) are you "installing"??

    Ok -- so, if it's not a blog, and it's not hosted for free (as a wp blog is), and you're not using wp to edit it -- then *WHY* (and how) are you "USING" wp at all?

    How is that different than just building a 'regular' site in the regular way?

    So, I guess here are my questions...

    1) What (exactly) *IS* wp (when used in a non-free-blog way)?

    2) HOW are you (said to be) "using" wp when you "use" wp to build a 'regular' site?

    3) What is a 'static' site -- and how does it differ from a 'non-static' site?

    4) I saw a sales page that said there are TWO types of wp sites, and using wp in the wrong way for the wrong type of site will get you "BANNED!" What does THAT mean??

    5) What are the benefits of "using" wp to build a site -- and what are the potential disadvantages?

    6) If you are (indeed) hosting your 'regular' style wp-generated sites using a private (paid) hosting co -- and NOT using the quasi-hosting that the free-wp-blogs use, then are you in danger of getting the plug pulled by wp (tos?) if you "use" wp for making a commercial site?

    As you can see, I am PLENTY confused on this issue. Just another iming area I can't seem to get my head around (the overall concept).

    Please advise!!

    Thanks!!

    -- TW

    Wordpress is a blog platform or CMS. You can get a free Wordpress blog from Wordpress.com and risk getting it deleted or banned if they don't like it or you can install Wordpress on your own host with your own domain name. If your host has cpanel with Fantastico, this simplifies installing Wordpress on your host. If not, you can install it manually.

    Obviously, installing Wordpress on your own host and domain is preferable. You have control over your own blog rather than Wordpress.com having control over your blog. You still have to comply with your hosts TOS, but Blogger and Wordpress free blogs frequently get deleted if they are of little value .... affiliate blogs that don't provide much content other than a sales pitch or other content that the free hosts don't like.

    Don't know where you're getting that they are not blogs. They are blogs. A static site is built with pages, all linked together. Instead of creating a new post, as you do with a blog, you create a new page with a static site.

    Example: backlinkjackpot.com is a static site and has 3 pages.
    backlinkjackpot.com/blog/ is a blog and has numerous posts.

    Static sites can have hundreds ... even thousands of pages. Wordpress blogs can also have thousands of posts, if you're really busy posting or have an autoblog.

    You can build a Wordpress blog that is more like a static site by using pages instead of posts, but it is still a blog, technically.

    Hope this helps to clarify things a bit.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Pension Guy
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      You can get a free Wordpress blog from Wordpress org and risk getting it deleted or banned if they don't like it
      Actually, that's wordpress.COM where you get the free blog and they delete it etc.
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