Using WordPress
SMU will be hosting a multi-user instance of WordPress, a basic, open-source Content Management System that is commonly used by small and midsize organizations to maintain their web presence.
WordPress is one of the most commonly used CMS systems on the market, and documentation, examples, and other forms of online help are readily available online.
WordPress can be as complex or as simple as you need it to be. Using a pre-created theme and populating it with information is very simple. Customizing, tweaking, and arranging your theme to present your information in the exact way you want it can be very involved and time consuming - but ultimately rewarding, when your site represents you to your satisfaction!
Getting Help
WordPress resources to help you get started:
Issues with the system - login issues, unexpected behavior, and other apparent bugs should be reported to the SMU OIT Help Desk at help@smu.edu.
For general and theming support, please contact Meadows Tech Effect.
The web is also filled with wonderful WordPress resources. Google your issue, and you might be surprised by what comes up!
Getting Started - Make Your First Blog Post on SMU's WordPress Service
Once you've logged into the WordPress system for the first time at people.smu.edu/blog, you'll need to register your site within the system. This is a quick process - you'll be up and posting in under 5 minutes!
When you first log in, you'll see the below screen. Select Dashboard -> My Sites.
Next, you'll need to follow the link to "Create New Site."
Enter your site information. Please note that your "Site Name" becomes your URL and is permanent - it cannot be changed! Your "Site Title" can be changed later on, however. Please note that the system does not currently check for duplicate names - so please visit people.smu.edu/YourDesiredURL and make sure that no one has taken it first! (You can later point your domain name to your URL from your domain registrar.)
Your blog now exists on SMU's servers! Time for your first post!
Select My Sites -> Your Site Name -> New Post.
Write your post - and if you're entering real content, be sure to select "Save Draft" regularly. Web browsers tend to crash, and you don't want to lose your work! Many people write their posts in a text editor and then copy and paste later. Once you're ready to publish it live, hit the blue "Publish" button.
Once you publish, your post is live! View it on the web.
Have problems? See the above "Getting Help" section. Good luck, and publish on!