For those users running a previous version of Wordpress, please be aware that Wordpress has released an important security fix which will bring your current release level to 2.3.3.

This security release will correct a flaw for those sites that have registration enabled.  A flaw was found in the XML-RPC implementation such that a specially crafted request could allow the hacker to modify users posts.

Also, if you are using the WP-Forum plug-in, an exploit was found in that module as well.

Please visit Wordpress to learn more about these exploits and download the XML-RPC patch or new Wordpress 2.3.3 release level.

I’m looking for a custom Wordpress blog theme and wanted to know if any readers have any suggestions for some sites for me to look at?  Not looking to spend too much money, but need something a little more customizable than the free ones on the Internet.

Would like widget ability and places for ads and video.  I like the double column on the right concept the best, but am willing to look at other ideas.

I have tried searching and found a couple of sites, but figured a post might be a good way to find some gems. 

If you have suggestions, please leave me a comment or e-mail me at darryl@SimplyWebtastic.com.

Thanks!

Let’s face it, most bloggers write to produce some form of supplemental income.  To this effort, they need ways to derive this income and use many common forms of advertisements such as, affiliate links, Google AdSense, Commission Junction Ads, and contextual links ads like Kontera.  These can all be money makers for the publisher, but they are also in some ways intrusive to the blog reader, each in their own way.

Today I would like to discuss contextual ads and use the company Kontera as an example.  I just recently signed up for Kontera but have not yet added the ad code to my blog.  I was utterly amazed at the responses that I read while doing a search for contextual links.  Many viewers find them very intrusive to their viewing pleasure.  You may have noticed going to a website or blog and moving your cursor, whether intentionally or unintentionally, over a double-underline link and having an ad appear on the screen.  These are contextual ad links, of which, Kontera is one of many companies providing such services.

While I only did a small sampling of comments and articles from various websites, it got me thinking as to what is an effective balance between content and advertisement.  At what point do the multitude of ads turn off the reader enough that they just decide to leave the website?  And are they so discouraged from their experience that they decide not to return to the site again believing it is just an ad farm.

I think this type of question is best answered by the viewers and I hope that if any of you are reading this and have the time to express your feelings on this issue that you’ll do so.  I would be curious to see how many viewers are for or against those contextual ads.  Most people by now know what they are, but there are still some viewers who get confused and think they are actual links to other relevant information on the blog.  This is where they may feel deceived or tricked into doing something that they originally did not intend.

As my blog grows and matures, I would like to find and honest balance between income and quality content for my readers.  I know that products like Kontera are configurable, but before I just start dropping various types of ads onto my blog, I would like to know where to draw-the-line.

If you decide to write an online blog, you will need to create a domain name so that others will be able to find you on the Internet.  You have two choices: subscribe to an online blog service like Wordpress.com or Blogger.com, or create your own branded name like mine, SimplyWebtastic.com.

Take the time to consider your blog’s name and how you want people to access it.

If you subscribe to an online blog service, your blog’s domain name will be something like, mysite.blogger.com.  This format is slightly larger than a standard domain name, and it is harder for readers to remember.  However, for casual blogging this is a great method and above all, it’s free and a good, fast way to get started in blogging.

The alternate choice is to register for your own domain name.  You can read my previous article about choosing web hosts to get a better understanding about the costs and benefits of each method.

In this post, I would like to discuss the implications to your readers of choosing one method over the other. Your website name helps you build credibility and a sense of professionalism around your blog.  Having a domain name that reflects your topic, theme, mood, or brand image, helps the reader to associate more with your blog.  Above all, I think that this personalized domain name gives the blogger a truer sense of ownership and pride.  This is your domain!

There are also the more tangible benefits as well.  Your own domain means that you can have e-mail addresses branded with your domain name and depending on the name you chose, you may also get better search engine ranking.

I have been asked many times how I came up with the name SimplyWebtastic.  Honestly, I came up with this name back in 1998 just as the Internet was getting it’s steam.  For some reason, I liked it and decided to register it.  Now, 10 years later, I’m finding a use for it with blogging.  It may be slightly long, but I think it’s a name that is different and may stick in readers heads.  If that happens, then it will have turned out to be a very good name!

So, if you are thinking about blogging, give some (no a lot) of thought into how you want your name to show and what you want it to be.  Let it reflect who you are, and I think you’ll get more enjoyment from the blogging experience.