What is WordPress?

WordPress is a software program used to allow individuals and businesses to establish and manage blogs on a web hosting service.

WordPress was founded by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little after they decided to develop the source code of b2/cafelog in a direction independent of the original project. WordPress as a uniquely developed free software application was released on May 27, 2003. At the time of this writing, the most current program released to users is version 3.6. WordPress is the preferred content management tool for Internet blogs.

This versatile software program has been incorporated by over 1.89 million top websites. It is also in use by over 60 million web hosting sites in total. The content has been tracked at over 6 million downloads at the time of its most recent release. This program is highly preferred for both its easy accessibility and its user friendly functionality.

WordPress Foundation is well supported because of its active development status. The software runs on a cross platform operating system and the blog software can be launched using another freeware program called PHP. The current license held for the software is classified as GNU GPLv2 and its home development website is WordPress.org.

WordPress is highly customizable to individual business needs. The software program is coded to allow for plug-in architecture and offers users a template system. Features of this software application include thematic components for changing up the appearance and the functionality of a website. The code for the program is written so as not to alter the information content or the structure implemented in the development of website.

Even though the WordPress software is freeware, there are thousands of variations of its themes in existence on the web. Free themes can be found as well as purchasable content depending on where a business looks for theme content or a business could even customize its own theme using the original software.

The core installation of WordPress, while very useful, is enhanced immeasurably by the numerous plug-ins available to expand upon the software's functions. There exist on the Internet libraries of over 26,000 plug-in components for customization of websites and blog management capabilities. Components developed for users include widgets, Search Engine Optimization boosters and navigation bars.

In the event that a business would like to run multiple blogs there is an alternate program called the WordPress Multi-User, a fork divergent of the WordPress software. Companies may prefer to run one blog or multiple blogs but in either case the dashboard offered by the software makes it simple to control the content and user moderation. As of version 3.0, the multi user fork of the original software has been merged with WordPress.

WordPress is not only a source of easy blog management for the Internet web sites. There are also applications developed to allow limited accessibility to functionality executed by users from mobile phones.

This useful application is versatile across a wide variety of function and forms used for all types of businesses. The code design implemented for blog development allows integrated link management content; easy-to-use simple permalink structure; options for nested tagging and categorizing of content. Filtering is also a component included for standard users which allows for personalized formatting and text styling.

WordPress software will support other standards used by alternate programs as well. This function allows users to see who have linked back to the posted communications of a business or individual.

Because of its versatility and its user friendly simplistic controls, WordPress garnered the greatest brand strength among comparisons to other open source freeware used for managing web content. The program has won multiple awards in acknowledgement of its outstanding application development and functionality.

The majority of security issues with WordPress exist because site operators use unsupported, outdated releases of the program. Plug-in installation and customizations should come from trusted sources. Security updates are offered by the developers at WordPress.org. Proper program set up which includes routine maintenance and updates will showcase the high degree of secure, easy functionality offered by the software application.

Users need to implement the correct precautions to deny SQL injection attacks as well as provide a barrier to unauthorized access of sensitive files. Renaming the admin account which starts at a default level of access will also do much to prevent hackers and criminals from authorizing the administrative level of privileges.

Finally, WordPress users may attend many gatherings devoted to the development and use of the software program at informal or professional conferences. Because the program is an open source freeware, the functionality and support of WordPress is a shared responsibility amongst its peer users. This means there are multiple sources of trouble shooting capability and support widely available to any users with access to the Internet.