I mentioned in my last post about the use of plugins and aps for your blog, being selective and using ones which are useful. Well, here are a couple of very useful WP plugins.
Highlighter is free, easy to use and a great interactive tool, opening up an opportunity for discussion on certain points within a post, capturing more social sharing and conversation. If you can’t see the Highlighter side-bar tab, it does not appear on the home page, when you open a post it will then automatically display.
So, how does it work? Highlighter allows your readers to comment or share with their followers on facebook and twitter or email a friend, on any chosen text from a post. Whether it be a word, sentence, paragraph or even an image, just highlight it, (the highlighter box will appear) then make your comment or share on that highlight. To give you a little example of how it looks when a comment has been made, mouse over the highlighted text above ‘chosen text’.
The best way to get a clear and easy understanding of how Highlighter works is to pop over to Barry Wells blog and watch a short video demonstration he’s put together.
GASP (Growmap Anti Spambot Plugin), also free and I’m sure something everyone could do with having, it will stop 99% of spambot comment posts. Another great video demonstration, this time by Randy Smith, he’ll explain how to install it.
I must mention that Ian Ieba recommended both these plugins to me and passed on both Barry’s and Randy’s video links, which I do recommend watching.
Till next time
Julie






May 30th, 2011 on 4:37 pm
Hi Julie,
Thanks for the mention
Along with some other cool tools and resources I see
Randy
RandySmith@InternetMarketingRambles recently posted..Free Graphics Tool from IMA
Twitter: jmd164
May 30th, 2011 on 4:42 pm
@RandySmith@InternetMarketingRambles,
Hi Randy.
Whow, that was quick, I only just posted it. No problems, a mention well deserved.
Twitter: barry_wells
May 30th, 2011 on 6:33 pm
Hi Julie, thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment
Thank you also for the mention in your post, it’s very much appreciated.
I use a lot of plugins on my site but am very mindfull of the fact they can slow down our loading times, which if to long can see our visitors leave early.
How i test them is to time the loading of the home page after installing any new plugins and if it takes to long I simply deactivate the plugin and test the loading again. If the loading improves i look for an alternative plugin.
As i said I use a few and have written detailed posts about my 5 essential ones:
barry-wells.com/my-top-five-essential-wordpress-plugins/
and a further 10 that help me and my blog:
barry-wells.com/a-further-10-plugins-used-on-my-wordpress-blog/
I hope that helps Julie,
Back soon,
Barry
Barry@The Newbies Guide recently posted..Journey to success part 2- Develop specific goals to attain your dreams
Twitter: jmd164
May 30th, 2011 on 7:03 pm
@Barry@The Newbies Guide,
Hi Barry,
Thank you for popping by and the mention is my pleasure. I will take a look at your posts that you’ve metioned there tomorrow – need to get the ‘starving’ creatures here fed now.
Thanks again
Cheers
Julie
Twitter: nitroinfo1
May 31st, 2011 on 10:14 pm
Hi Julie
Thanks for the mention in your post, it’s much appreciated.
I am quite selective with the plugins I use and I have them listed under seperate headings:
- SEO
- Security & Backup
- Speed
- Functionality
- Membership
- Social Networking
- Monetization
- Media – Videos, Images
There are numerous plugins that fits into each criteria but when selecting plugins
apart from the one’s that have been recommended to me (like Barry’s and Randy’s)
I look for ones that are simple, effective and reliable and as Barry say’s does not slow down my blog.
Good Post Julie
Catch up soon
Ian
Twitter: jmd164
June 1st, 2011 on 1:26 pm
@Ian Ieba,
Ian, one must give credit where it’s due. I appreciate the recommendations and ideas you pass on.
Thanks again for dropping by and commenting. Oh and the GASP, for two days now – no spam! Nice
Julie
Twitter: deeannrice
December 22nd, 2011 on 4:06 am
Julie,
If you can not tell I am reading your 7 links post. I missed this post as well.
Think I was just starting my blog when this post was posted.
I am using GSAP and have never used Highlighter. I really like the GSAP and if it worked Highlighter sounds like a great plugin.
Thanks for the great info.
Dee Ann
Dee Ann Rice recently posted..My Pet Peeves About Commenting
December 22nd, 2011 on 7:55 pm
Hey Dee Ann,
I think the GASP is great as well. It made a huge difference to my spam box, pratically put it at a zero, there’s the odd time one or two which gets through. Highlighter is not an important plugin but a good little one. The problem there started when WP done an update and around the same time Highlighter also done one.
You’re welcome for the info. and thanks Dee Ann for your comment
Julie