A couple weeks ago, I received an email from Chris Coyier, of CSS-Tricks, containing a review copy of his recently released “Digging into WordPress” e-book. Expecting it to be more of a mini-book, I nonchalantly told him that I’d post a review that Friday; little did I know that this was a full-fledged book, packed full of knowledge.
Update: Winners Announced
Congratulations to the following three readers who were randomly selected!
If your name is listed above, please contact nettuts@tutsplus.com to claim your prize!
“Written by WordPress veterans Chris Coyier and Jeff Starr, Digging into WordPress is 400+ jam-packed pages of everything you need to get the most out of WordPress. WordPress is great right out of the box, but unless you want an ordinary vanilla blog, it is essential to understand the full potential of WordPress and have the right tools to get the job done.”
Those of you who read CSS-Tricks will be well aware that Chris writes in a very easy-to-understand fashion. Rather than flooding each article with high-level jargon that only the most knowledgeable of us can understand, he instead dumbs each article down to the fundamentals – even to the point of being honest enough to convey when he doesn’t quite understand the reasoning behind some line of code.
As a result, he’s built a wonderful community and reputation for himself in the last few years. This book, co-written with Jeff Starr, is no different: straight-forward, easy-to-understand, and simple.
Simple Learning
Thanks to the use of fun, and helpful illustrations, even those who are brand new to WordPress will be able to dig their heals in — with minimal confusion.
The 400 page ebook covers everything from navigating the admin panel, to creating a comments form, to even more advanced topics like plugin development. And though it’s generally good practice to point out a few negatives in one’s review, it’s difficult to do so when a book is such a pleasure to read.
Heart of a Teacher
Chris and Jeff, in this book, have proven that they have the hearts of teachers. Even for intermediate to advanced WordPressers, there’s something to be learned — and at $27, the purchase is a no-brainer!
“Digging into WordPress is perfect for WordPress users in the beginner to intermediate range, but contains plenty of great information for the advanced user as well. If you have any level of experience working with web design or WordPress, this book is written to help you take WordPress to the next level.”
400 Pages of Practical Information
“There is much to learn about the World’s most popular publishing platform.
From your first steps of learning about WordPress all the way through
maintaining a site throughout the years, this book is packed with truly
practical information.”
Lots of Code Samples
“We go into depth about the anatomy of a WordPress theme. How they work, and how
to write the code you need to do the things you want. This means real code that
you can sink your teeth into, as well as copy and paste. Beyond theme
building, we introduce many tricks your functions.php file can pull off and show
you ways to increase performance and security through HTAccess.”
What About the Free Copies!?
Chris has generously offered to give away a few copies to our community. To enter, simply leave a comment, and be sure to check back on Friday to see if you were randomly chosen!
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Both Chris and Jeff are masters at what they do. Whenever I’m starting a new project, one of the first places I go is to CSS-Tricks and Script & Style, if only to to jump start the wheels in my head.
And whenever I think … I wonder if I can do this … I go back and there’s usually an answer.
Gimme egimme gimme… please :)
Wow, so many replies Chrome locked up rendering this page a few times.
I could really use that ebook right now.
Wow.. sounds good..!!! would love to have it! When it comes to WordPress No match Chris is the best!
I would love to have this book!!
I’d love a copy of this. I’ve been making attempts to work with WordPress for some time but seem to have missed somethings. Cant seem to get it to work how I want it.
I’d love a copy of this book. I’ve been a long-time fan of CSS-Tricks.
Oh, ya! Don’t forget about me Jeff, maybe this time I will win smth ;(
I’ve been following Chris’s blog for some time, love his writing and would love to read this book! I’ll probably end up buying it as it looks like my odds are pretty slim to win.
I want to win!
It would be a sweet pre-christmas present
I would love to win this book, However if I don’t I think I’d get one anyways. Looks like a great book Chris!
I have seriously had a good look for this book, and may I add that it is very hard to find. The blog Digging into WP is very good as well and has lots of valuable information on it, the book will definatley be worth the money as when you discover how to do the ‘widgetize it up in here’ bit . you will soon be reaping the benefits of reading such quality knowledge.
I think i’d like to read this book, you have been going on about it for long enough.
Thanks Chris
Don’t mind me, I’m just here for the free booze.. I mean book.
Would love the book! Good Luck all
You’ve already helped me out so much. This book would push it to the limit.
I want a Copy!
Looks like a very useful book.
Ya, I’m up for it!
Count me in
cheers!
I like CSS Tricks, a lot of code tips came handy while modifying WordPress. His book looks promising and I would love to win a copy!
A copy of this book would be great. A definite needed resource with all the craze around WordPress development these days.
Downloaded it and hoping to dig into it this week. Looking forward to learning something new!
As a college student learning wordpress I would LOVE a copy. thanks :)
This is a great tool
Hook it up! This book looks really good.
This would be great and so useful!
Chris is a knowledge beast and knows how to write great tuts. Would be ace to read this!
I would love to have a copy of this book.
I’ve been reading css-tricks.com for some time now and Chris’ writing has never failed to be clear and concise, but most of all practical. I’m currently going through his and Jason Lengstorf’s “Building a Web App From Scratch” series. It’s easy-to-read and going to be insanely beneficial for my future endeavors. I recommend it to everyone who hasn’t taken the time to read it.
even if i don’t win the book, possibly i’ll buy it soon.
I’ve been out of the WordPress loop lately due to long hours with schoolwork, so I think a copy of this would definitely help me get back on track.
If the book’s anything like your site, it should be a good read! :-)
I’m curious to read it – fluent with Textpattern but I often have requests for designs on WordPress.
I would really love to have this book! I’ve been looking for a good wordpress resource.
I have promoted the book on my weblog, so I need to have it myself! :-)
http://www.chantalcoolsma.nl/2009/11/11/digging-into-wordpress/
I love reading CSS Tricks, follow @chriscoyier on Twitter, refer to the Code Snippets all the time, and use ‘Are My Sites Up’ for a couple machines. But I really don’t understand the need for a book that is frozen in time for a moving target (WordPress.) I talked with Lisa Sabin Wilson about the same problem regarding her WordPress for Dummies book and the trouble of starting a book when 2.5 is out, and releasing when 2.7 is out (or similar version jump if not those two exact versions.) She had the help of Jane Wells @janeforshort to keep up with WordPress developments and ensure the book wasn’t hopelessly out of date the moment it hit the shelves.
Maybe the problem is that many people are sharing this information for free already. When something important comes out for WordPress, I’ll read about it in one of the many inevitible “What you need to know about WordPress 2.9″ posts. When Chris figures out how to do something cool on the web, he’s going to post it at CSS Tricks, like he does now.
From Chris’ perspective, I can understand the desire to share this knowledge all in one place, and hopefully make some money doing it, but as a consumer, I can’t see a need for a technical reference like this for software that releases a new version every 3 months. Additionally, I have no desire to read a 400 page PDF online. Maybe I’ll take a look when it’s out in print.
I totally understand where you’re coming from, Chris – WordPress books are out of date almost as soon as they are published. Digging into WordPress is different, however, because Chris and I are in it for the long haul and plan on updating the book with new material, tips and techniques as new versions of WordPress are released. As WordPress grows and evolves, so will the book. And, everyone who buys a copy of Digging into WordPress also gets a lifetime subscription to the PDF, which has already been updated four times, with another major update planned for WordPress 2.9.
Long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, there was a little boy who wanted to grow up and become a wordpress coder. He was an orphan boy, and lived with his master, a slave trader named Joomla, and his only friend, a droid bot named .htaccess. One day, while the boy was working in the master’s old code shop, a mysterious man came in. He looked at the boy, and reached into his robe. Out he pulled a shiny new ebook. The letters inscribed on the birght blue cover read “Digging into WordPress.” The boy stared at the book, as if his gaze were being drawn into it against his will.
The man, as if he knew something about the boy, handed him the book and spoke “In this tome of vast knowledge, find what you are looking for. Master the wordforce young one.” The boy carefully took hold of the book, and lowered it to his chest. He slowly began to peel the front cover away from its adventure packed pages. Then he stopped. He noticed tiny writing on the inside of the front cover. It was a sample. A tempting titbit forged only to make the mind and soul yearn for more. He wanted this book. He wanted its knowledge. He wanted its power.
This book is what is want for Christmas! I know it will be great
CSS-Tricks is a brilliant site, and helped me a lot when i’m stuck. i’m sure this book will take the reader’s wordpress knowledge few more steps ahead.
Omg! I hope I am not late . I’d love to have this book .
Cheers
Thanks Chris and Tuts, cant wait for it :D
really a good book!
Ugh. I guess I can as well enter.
I’m in
thanks
Ok…I really want this book! It would be my honor to have a copy :-D
Would love a copy of this, even if I don’t benefit from your generosity I’ll purchase this anyway. Cheers :)
Would love a copy!
Did you say free? I am in.