DUE Sunday, Feb 21 – 2 points
(Monday NOON deadline)

• Gradebook Declaration: I have a registered domain name. I have a hosting account with a web server that can run WordPress, and I have FTP access to that web server. I have updated the web address field on my profile on the course web site to reference that domain name.

Hosting Account

It is now time to register your domain and sign up for a hosting account. You must have FTP access to your account, and you must be able to run the WordPress software. You can use any host that you like that meets these criteria, but I would strongly recommend you get one of these. (I have worked with all three of these and can help you out of any jam.) I have mentioned all three of these resources in class already, but here are links to them:

• ICDSoft: This is a great hosting company with excellent support. I hosted my personal site with them for years, but they only let you host one domain on your account. I eventually moved to a different host when I needed to host multiple domains. (They provide a good discount when you renew, which makes them even cheaper in the future.) $6/month + $5 for a new domain

• Bluehost: This is a very popular hosting company, especially in the WordPress community; I recommend this host for almost all of my small-business clients. They’re support is not as great as ICDSoft, but they do allow you to host multiple domains on one account. $6.95/month with free domain

• MediaTemple: This is a very popular hosting company, especially in the web design community. I host the course web site here. It’s more expensive, but they have a great infrastructure in place for when your site gets flooded with traffic. (This is probably not something any of you need to worry about yet, but I would consider this the next step beyond Bluehost. You’ll need this host if you plan to get to the front page of Digg.) $20/month + $5 for a new domain

Updating Your Profile

This video shows you how to update your profile on WordPress.com. Since we aren’t actually using WordPress.com, only the first forty seconds apply to us — but follow those same steps after logging in to your Dashboard to update you profile for the course.

(I will eventually be using that web site field to provide a link to your final project on the Students page.)

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Once you have completed this assignment, make your gradebook declaration.

DUE Sunday, Feb 21 – 2 points
(Monday NOON deadline)