Smashing WordPress by Thord Daniel Hedengren Summary
Overview of Smashing WordPress
Transform WordPress from simple blog to powerful web platform with "Smashing WordPress" - the industry bible that's helped countless developers create stunning custom sites. Praised for its practical code examples that solve real-world problems developers face daily.
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Key takeaways
When a Blogging Tool Became the Internet's Operating System
WordPress now powers over 40% of all websites on the internet. Let that sink in-nearly half the web runs on software that started as a simple blogging platform in 2003. From personal journals to The New York Times, from small business sites to Fortune 500 corporate portals, WordPress has become the great equalizer of web publishing. What makes this remarkable isn't just the numbers-it's that something designed for writing diary entries evolved into the backbone of digital commerce, media empires, and everything in between. The famous "five-minute install" isn't marketing hype; you genuinely can go from zero to published content faster than it takes to make coffee. This accessibility, combined with near-infinite extensibility, transformed web publishing from an exclusive club requiring technical expertise into something anyone with an internet connection can master. Getting WordPress running requires surprisingly little: PHP 5.2.4+, MySQL 5.0+, and optionally mod_rewrite for cleaner URLs. The installation process walks you through database configuration with a user-friendly interface, though manual setup remains available for those who prefer direct control. The real power lies in the wp-config.php file-your installation's control center. Beyond basic database credentials, this file lets you override site URLs, relocate content directories, control post revisions, adjust autosave intervals, and activate multisite functionality, all bypassing the admin interface when needed.
Foundation, Security, and Survival Strategies
The Loop: WordPress's Beating Heart
Crafting Themes That Breathe and Child Themes That Protect Your Work
Advanced Features: WordPress as a True Content Management System
Pushing Boundaries: WordPress Beyond Its Comfort Zone
Your Platform, Your Rules
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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