The Wordpress text editor comes with a set of buttons that allows you to easily format your post by quickly inserting things like links, images and html list.

Though very useful, I found that I needed a few more buttons … and so I figured out how to do it.

I just released a new video tutorial on how to edit the Wordpress text editor:

The Video: Customizing the Wordpress Text Editor

I hope you find it useful!

Thanks,

Stefan Mischook

www.killersites.com
www.killerphp.com

Hi,

For the last couple of years I have been preaching that web designers should learn at least one blog or CMS (content management systems) software so that they can then offer blog/CMS installations and customizations to their clients.

The use of blogs/cms’ is also one of the reasons why I think web designers should learn PHP, given that most blogs are created with PHP these days.

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Hi,

I’ve just posted an article related to object oriented PHP:

An introduction to the Zend Framework: writing object oriented PHP with ease.

The article covers concepts that are a little more advanced, but I think John (the author,) has done a good job making things understandable.

… I think anyone with just a little PHP knowledge, will find the article a worthwhile read.

Let me know what you think and if you have questions … you know what to do!

Thanks,

Stefan Mischook

www.killersites.com
www.killerphp.com

Someone recently wrote to me where they were concerned about the future of web design as a profession. I’ve summarized the question as follows:

Given the rampant spread of website templates and point-and-click site builder tools (that more and more web hosts are offering) can web designers realistically expect to continue to make a good living building web sites for small business using traditional (from scratch) web design methods?

The answer to this question (and to find out clues on how to move forward) all we need to do is to look to web design’s past.

But before we go on, there is also something else to consider:

Web designers also have to deal with the reality that there are lots of kids out there willing to use pirated copies of Dreamweaver and Photoshop, to build a website for a fraction of what professionals have to charge.

Since (I’m guessing) most web design professionals don’t live with their parents anymore, it’s hard for them to compete with teenage nerds who just need XBox money.

How about the quality of the web design work - doesn’t that have an affect on who people will choose to build their website?

… Unfortunately, sometimes quality (for short sighted business owners) doesn’t fit into the equation. That said, there is good news for professional web designers. Read on …

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Every once and a while I use a question put to me, as the basis for an article. This time, we have Richard asking whether web design (as a profession,) will have bright future.

The email:

Thank you for having courses that make it easier for the average laymen to comprehend the basics which will allow the complex material to sink in. I have a question though.

I am in my fifties, have done many different things in my life, and I am looking for something as a career change to take me into my second half of life and into retirement. What do you think the opportunities are going to be in the future in this type of industry taking into consideration the advancements in technology?

In other words, where do you see a web page developer or designer 5, 10, 15 years from now. Thank you for your time and consideration in my attempts to make an educated decision about my future.

Sincerely,

Richard Sherban

Hi Richard,

I think the future is good for web design and development. That said, I would like point out a few things:

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