WordPress is an unbelievably powerful system that can do just about anything you need it to, but using more than a fraction of its capabilities, or getting under the hood to modify certain things can be a daunting task for some.
While the WordPress support forums boast an active and thriving community, sometimes you just can’t find the answer you need when you need it, which costs you time, money and most of all, sanity. Fortunately, Chris Coyier and Jeff Starr have solved that problem by releasing an updated and expanded version 3.0 of their book, of Digging into WordPress.
There is a lot to learn about the World’s most popular web publishing platform. Starting with your first steps of learning the basics of WordPress all the way through maintaining and modifying your site throughout the years, this book is packed with truly practical information. Coming in at nearly 450 pages and loaded with answers and solutions to any question or scenario you could ever imagine, Digging into WordPress is the proverbial WordPress bible.
If you share my borderline compulsion for buying books every time the wind blows, you’ll love the print version with glossy full-color pages and easy to navigate, color-coded chapters. The text is large, clear and easy to read, which is a godsend for anyone who stares at a computer screen all day, and rather than the traditional binding Digging into WordPress is spiral bound so that it can sit (and stay) flat on your desk while you work.
All printed copies of the book also include a PDF version (or you can buy the PDF version alone) which is great for three reasons:
- Hyperlinked. All the URL’s in the book can be clicked on, taking you to the web page referenced. There is also internal linking – you can click links in the table of contents to jump to those sections.
- Copy & Paste code. It’s much easier to copy & paste code than retyping it from scratch. Of course the page numbers in the book and PDF match, so if you are reading the book you can jump over to the PDF and go to that page to copy and paste. You’ll always know exactly where that code is.
- Search. The book has an appendix, but that’s never quite as easy as just using your PDF readers search feature to find exactly what you’re looking for.
The best part?
When you buy this book, you will instantly get the most current version. But also, you are getting a lifetime subscription to all updated (PDF) copies of the book, which are automatically emailed to you as they are released. If you’ve ever bought a book about a software application, you know how important this is; a single update can make a traditional book useless, but since Digging into WordPress is constantly updated and you’ll receive the updates for life, you’ll never have to worry about that.
If you want my advice, pick up a copy of Digging into WordPress today. The only real decision you have to make is whether to order the print or electronic version.
