A friend of mine asked me last week to help her out with a mailing list program called “phplist” — a newsletter/list management software progam (and also the WordPress plugin that she wants to use). So, I found the website for it ( http://www.phplist.com ) and began learning what it is, how it works and so on. After a bit of reading, I decided that the best way to help her was to go ahead and install it myself and begin using it for my own newsletter list. I’ve got the plugin installed, but still tweaking the design, though it seems to be working (I might need to do more testing with it).

I’m posting about my progress and experience (in case any other ladies decide
they also want to start using it *smile*) at the MLM Realms W.I.S.E. Community Forum.

Read my progress posts to date…

p.s. If you use it already and want to share YOUR experiences, please feel free to jump in to the discussion!

Daphne Cochran-Shapiro is an Author & Poet, Designer & Crafter, and Entrepreneur who specializes in working with folks needing design assistance. My goal is to empower you to be the best you can be in ALL your endeavors. I invite you to browse my sites and share your comments on my works!

On DreamPress Templates I wanted to add a feed from Twitter on my main index page, but I didn’t want to use those widgets offered by Twitter (too wide, too typical, too uncustomizable). So, putting on my “Daphne Detective Hat” I scouted around the web pondering what could work and look good at the same time.

As most of you know it takes time to look for that particular widget or tool or code that perfectly suits what you want. I was almost at the point of settling for something that I’d tolerate when I stumbled upon this tutorial by Benjamin Reid.

What his tutorial is about is a way to use a javascript file and css coding to add the Twitter feed on whatever page you want it on. The tutorial is detailed and easy to follow (in case you aren’t a certified coding guru). He’s even got screenshot of what’s what and what goes where. You add the coding for the javascript, the css styles, and the html on the page where you want the feed.

You’ll also have to upload the javascript file to your web server. He explains how to ensure your link to the javascript file works and how to insert the bit of code to pull your Twitter posts.

You can then customize the css style coding to whatever color, size, padding, font, etc. you want to match the look of your site. Just test it locally to view each of the changes you make before uploading that page. One thing I didn’t get right the first time was where I inserted the javascript coding. Initially, I stuck it above the body tag, then when it didn’t work went back to the tutorial and realized it went above the closing body tag. *insert forehead smack*

Here’s a screenshot of what I put together at DreamPress Templates:

Pretty cool, huh?

Give it a whirl and feel free to comment your link so I can visit and see how you’ve customized your very own Twitter feed.

Happy coding!

Daphne Cochran-Shapiro is an Author & Poet, Designer & Crafter, and Entrepreneur who specializes in working with folks needing design assistance. My goal is to empower you to be the best you can be in ALL your endeavors. I invite you to browse my sites and share your comments on my works!