I really liked Jessamyn’s list of extensions on her “Pimp My Firefox” e-handout. It made me think of all of the things I’ve done to our WordPress blogs at SJCPL.

Code wise

• changed the default link to selection in the uploads section to none. You can do this in upload-js.php, line 118. This is the only change I’ve needed to make for the 2.+ version.

Plugins

• Bad Behavior – spambot thwarter
• bdp-comments – displays recent comments where you put the code. This has helped a lot with encouraging comments.
• Comment Timeout – automatically closes comments on old posts. You set the timeframe. While this isn’t the best solution, it’s been the best defense for spam.
• Event Calendar – intended as a post to blog event thingy, but we use it for a calendar display for archives.
• Sidebar Widgets – necessary for bdp-comments. Adds a drag and drop interface for arranging your sidebars.
• Themed Login and Register – keeps the look and feel of your blog template when you log in. Also allows the option to return to the home page after log in, instead of going into the Dashboard.
• Gravatars – adds avatars to comments. Kind of complicated if your users are set to limited access. The kids don’t seem to mind though.
• QuickTime Posting – creates custom quicktime embed tags for posts.

Misc

• Feed2js – a javascript generator to put your feed where ever you like. If you’re not using this, you’re missing out! I use it on the library homepage to display the 5 most recent blog posts. I also have a feed pulled from our event calendar displaying the next 7 days of teen programs in the TeenNet sidebar.
• the WP Code tab – not really an add on, but it’s making life MUCH easier for embedding video and slideshows.

In other blog news, I’m really digging Vox. I started using it for Project 365, but quickly started adding other posts. From a personal blog stand point, I really enjoy the question of the day, and Vox Hunt dailies. It just gives you a little nudge for content, or when you’re bored on a Saturday night. I’m a fan of the “neighborhood” aspect. I have used LiveJournal for while now, and was always impressed with their friends page aggregator.* But the best part has to be the easy media integration. They’ve made it easy to post from your phone, add Amazon, YouTube, iFilm, and sound with just the click of a button. Case in point, I posted this while typing this post. Other case in point, the first two episodes of The Tudors are posted over on their Vox. For someone without cable, this is awesome!

*LiveJournal and Vox are both owned by SixApart.