Tim Walther and Erick Erickson are rock climbers, leadership coaches, and co-authors of the new book Seeking True North: The Pathway to Freedom, Beauty and Success. Walther is the President of Grand Dynamics, and Erickson is Founder of Erickson International, both companies that do extensive corporate training and retreats around the world. In conjunction with their new book launch, we worked hard to build a community-focused site at SeekingTrueNorth.com that would showcase their book and their adventures, but also give their past and future clients a place to share their own experience with the leadership tools the two guides talk about in Seeking True North. We created a WordPress theme based on Grand Dynamics’ existing design, created customized graphics to tie in with the book (a gorgeous shot of the Grand Tetons), and integrated WordPress with bbPress—another software platform by the makers of WP that enables us to create robust user discussion boards, or forums. After several weeks of development, the STN site was running two CMS’ on the back end to power both a blog and a reader forum, but seamlessly integrated for visitors on the front end!

Client: Tim Walther & Erick Erickson

Location: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Site: SeekingTrueNorth.com

Responsibilities:

» Project Management & Content Development

» Photoshop Header Design/Custom Graphics

» Custom XHTML & CSS Design for WordPress (based on GrandDynamics.com)

» Theme Ported to bbPress, Forum Development (XHTML, PHP)

» Random Excerpt Script for Book Endorsements

» Seamless Integration with bbPress (MySQL, PHP)

» Dynamic Rollover Navigation

» Fully-Customized Contact Form

» Blog Coaching

» PayPal Support

» Cross-Browser Testing

The folks at WordPress just released the 2.6.2 security update, that protects from a susceptibility in all PHP programs, SQL Column Truncation, which could allow malicious hackers to reset other users’ accounts. If you allow open user registration on your WordPress-powered blog, then this is a mandatory upgrade. If registration is closed, then you don’t need to worry about this one. From Ryan Boren:

Stefan Esser recently warned developers of the dangers of SQL Column Truncation and the weakness of mt_rand().  With his help we worked around these problems and are now releasing WordPress 2.6.2.  If you allow open registration on your blog, you should definitely upgrade.  With open registration enabled, it is possible in WordPress versions 2.6.1 and earlier to craft a username such that it will allow resetting another user’s password to a randomly generated password.  The randomly generated password is not disclosed to the attacker, so this problem by itself is annoying but not a security exploit.  However, this attack coupled with a weakness in the random number seeding in mt_rand() could be used to predict the randomly generated password.  Stefan Esser will release details of the complete attack shortly.  The attack is difficult to accomplish,  but its mere possibility means we recommend upgrading to 2.6.2.

Special Offer for Urgent Security Upgrades

Need help upgrading your core software? The normal cost for a core software update is $45, but to help you get your blog secure again, if you get in touch before midnight PST Saturday, September 13, I’ll offer a special discounted upgrade of your core files for just $25.

[source: WordPress 2.6.2 on the WordPress Development Blog]

Building on Vladimir Prevolac’s GPL-licensed Amazing Grace theme, I developed codymckibben.com as a personal blog, but it now serves simply as a static location for my social media resume. The entire site is powered by WordPress, and although the content on the site is very minimal (a short bio, contact information, links, and resume), it showcases several fun things you can do with WordPress.

Site: CodyMcKibben.com

Responsibilities:

» Customized Header Titles & Navigation

» Random Photo Script (top right corner)

» Implements Google Custom Search Bar

» Third-Party Integrations (dynamic content from Flickr photostream, Twitter updates, etc.)

» Pulls in Updated Content from Several RSS Feeds

St. Claire Falls is a teen drama show that takes place at a high school. Cody worked with Johnny Boston, co-founder of New York indie film company Raw Films, to help put the finishing touches on St. Claire Falls High School’s blogs. We gave the site a clickable header image, integrated unique graphics for each category page, and helped organize the site structure so that it works as if it’s three different blogs within one.

Client: Johnny Boston/Raw Films

Location: New York, NY

Site: StClaireFalls.com

Responsibilities:

» Content Organization & Management

» Integrated Unique Custom Graphics for each Category Page

» Navigational Restructuring of Theme Files (PHP)

» Refined Existing CSS Styles

» Cross-Browser Testing

Boomer411’s stated goal is to provide a noise-free environment for reflections on today’s Baby Boomer issues (e.g., aging, retirement, finance, etc.). Cody McKibben consulted with Guru Yellapur to improve the Boomer411 blog’s usability, increase reader retention and search engine optimization (SEO). We incorporated Related Posts, gave them custom email subscription forms, text size controls, helped them include sponsor advertising, and more.

Client: Guru Yellapur/Suggestica, Inc.

Location: Grand Prairie, TX

Site: blog.Boomer411.com

Responsibilities:

» Improved Usability (including Text-Size Controls, etc.)

» Implemented Related Posts Functionality

» Improved Reader Retention Rates with Subscription Forms after Single Posts

» Full WordPress SEO Package

» Incorporated Ad Banners & Custom Sidebar Content