I have been ever so slightly *MIA* here, I realize. This is due to several reasons – - some personal – - others just involve lots of work and lots of catching up on work! I do have lots going on, though – so let me get right to it!
A few months back, I did a post here about a site that I had launched utilizing the WordPress MU software with a special edition of the brand new BuddyPress integration. It was a challenging site deployment – but a lot of fun! Recently, the gals over at WeHeartThis wrote about their experience, with the added bonus of getting up close and personal with yours truly in a lengthy interview where we talk WordPress, design, sexual discrimination, Metallica, Britney Spears and Makeup – it was a fun and interesting interview – check it out!
I didn’t think I would be able to make it, however, as of today – that has changed and I will be in Austin March 12 – 18th attending the coolest technology and interactive festival on the planet – no lie! I have some exciting announcements coming in a few days about my appearance at SXSW. I am very much looking forward to the panels, parties and hooking up with some friends of mine – like Christina, Charnell (who recently became a GrandMom – Congrats!) and Kevin and other friends from ServerBeach. . . I also have some exciting things packed into that weekend that benefits YOU, if you’re there. Stay tuned..and in the meantime, if you’re going – let me know. We could do coffee…or at the very least, say hey!
WordCamp Chicago is moving right along! I’m getting really excited about this event as Brian and I continue to plot, plan and scheme to bring a fantastic WordCamp event to the Windy City! Checkout the growing list of rockstar speakers that Brian has been working hard to organize for your educational (and entertaining!) pleasure! We also have several great sponsors working with us to help make the event a success – - big thanks to Wiley Publishing, ServerBeach, StudioPress, E.Webscapes and BlogsAbout Hosting for their support. We still need a few more sponsors to help us out with the planning and organization – if you, or your company, is interested – contact WordCamp Chicago for the 411.
My book, WordPress For Dummies, is officially out in stores, as well as several online locations. It’s doing really well so far – having sold over 12,000 copies in its first 2 weeks out! Thank you to everyone who has purchased and checked out the book, I really hope you find it a valuable resource. I found out great news from Wiley Publishing this week – - WordPress For Dummies has also been granted additional licensing for Russian translation and will be available for purchase in Russia soon. 
Neville Hobson (of http://www.nevillehobson.com/), all the way from the UK - shared a picture of his copy once it arrived from Amazon.uk and said: Just arrived from Amazon UK: WordPress for Dummies 2nd Edition. The best how-to book on WP, imo. Thanks, Neville! Want to share your WordPress For Dummies photo? Please do - Ill publish it here!
I published this photo on Matt Mullenwegs Facebook page thanking him for such a FANTASTIC application - and to Automattic for their help and support during the writing of the book!
And speaking of the book – I had posted on this blog previously that I would be giving away 5 autographed copies to visitors of this site Valentine’s Day, a date that I completely missed due to my aforementioned reasons for being MIA. I’d like to rectify that today. The rules of my previous posts were just that you had to leave a comment on that posts – - so, for those of you listed here – hit my contact form and provide me with your name and mailing address and I will be sending these books out asap:
- Austin from ilfilosofo.com (who has some fantastic WordPress Plugins – check ‘em out!)
- Jenny from uncommonhope.wordpress.com (who loves my pink and thinks I’m sassy – bonus!)
- Mike from exit78.com/weblog (who isn’t sure he needs it – but what the heck?)
- Steve Cowell – (who recently purchased the 1st edition, not realizing there was an newer version.)
- Preston from madeinpreston.co.uk (who just started his new blog on Feb 6th – welcome to WordPress!)
There we have it – - get in contact with me and I’ll get the 5 of you hooked up and thank you for your interest!
And finally – I realized yesterday that the contact form on this site was not working correctly. I’m using a plugin to power the contact form (Contact Form 7) and had it set up to hook into Akismet for spam protection. At some point, that Akismet part of that plugin started blocking every single one of the people who were trying to contact me using that form. I’ve abandoned the Akismet protection on that form and opted for a Captcha method, instead. Sorry for any inconvenience!
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3:38 am on February 24th, 2009
Wow! Looks like you’ve got a lot of great things going on. The Austin trip sounds like fun. I wish I could make it!
http://twitter.com/Colorburned
9:11 am on February 24th, 2009
Wow.
That is a surprise! Thanks much in advance!
The first validation box on your contact form will not accept anything. When I try to type the characters, nothing appears. If you’ll send me an e-mail, I’ll provide my address in my reply.
Again, thanks.
Mike
12:00 pm on February 24th, 2009
@Grant – thanks, there is a lot going on lately! That would be very cool if you could make it to Austin, SXSW is great fun. Maybe someday we’ll bump into on another and I can buy you a cuppa joe
12:14 pm on February 24th, 2009
@Mike – strange, I just tested the form and it worked ok on my end. Browser issue, maybe – - what are you on?
At any rate – I’m happy to send the book over to you. If you can drop me a mail at lisa AT lisasabin-wilson DOT com with your info, I’ll get it out! Thanks
12:42 pm on February 24th, 2009
I use FireFox. I tried the contact form using Internet Explorer and it worked. Still doesn’t work in Firefox.
2:46 pm on February 24th, 2009
dang I didnt win a copy of the book, oh well. I’m glad to here wordcamp chicago is moving along, I cant wait
1:32 am on February 25th, 2009
You definately seem to be very busy
But euh.. Excuse me, not a native english speaker, but what does MIA stand for?
4:07 pm on February 25th, 2009
Hi Lisa–I’m starting out on Wordpress and your new edition is very helpful. What is the cool plugin you used to display the quotes on your home page? I’m just formulating a site and would really like to use it. Thanks.
4:12 pm on February 25th, 2009
@Ken – happy to hear you’re finding the book helpful. I’m using the WP Random Quotes plugin to power the random quote display on my site. There are a few other random quote plugins to have a look at in the WP Plugins Directory, too. Good luck!
4:20 pm on February 25th, 2009
Thank you for your help. This is fun.
3:28 am on March 1st, 2009
Wouldn’t you know it? Bought the 2nd edition after the excellent original, especially for the theme development chapters. I got so much on my plate, but I’m aiming to concoct a kick-ass site for my DJ/radioshow/music endeavors. Those chapters will help me put the pieces together quicker, if not better.
Thanks for what you do; keep on with the blog, the web work, and life!
Peace.
9:52 am on March 2nd, 2009
The contact form has problem with Firefox.
11:02 am on March 2nd, 2009
Hey Lisa. Have you ever heard of ’sandbox’? A friend of mine told me about it when I told him I wanted to started designing my own wp themes.