Maybe you always wanted a feature that hasn’t been available in the latest release of WordPress. What you can do is either install a 3rd party plugin or write your own custom code to extend the features of WordPress.
WordPress plugins are programming code that enhance the features of a standard
installation of WordPress. A well written plugin will be basically “drag and drop”
without modifying the core code of WordPress. As WordPress has been designed in
a modular way, plugins allow you to customize your site to your specific needs
without modifying the core of WordPress.
Ever since Wordress version 1.2 plugins have been available. WordPress plugins can
be categorized according to the feature it provides. Here a list of various features
that you can implement for your web site through WordPress plugins.
Administration: Install WordPress plugins to customize features like Admin Tools,
Anti-spam, Comments, Meta, Restriction, Statistics, Syntax Highlighting,
Syndication, Tweaking, etc.
Design, Layout and Styles: Change the look and feel of your blog by implementing
plugins that modify Archive, Calendar – Event, Navigation, Randomness, Styles.
Graphics, Video, and Sound: Add plugins that create Audio – Mood and Images for
your blog.
Posts: Implement plugins for Editing Posts, Formatting Posts, and other
Miscellaneous Post related issues.
Links: Setup WordPress plugins that change the default behavior of linking.
Miscellaneous: You can install miscellaneous plugins that shows weather
information or other outside information from external websites.
Installing a plugin for WordPress is not difficult. Here are the list of steps that you
need to take to install most plugins. Some plugins may require additional steps.
1. Upload your plugin to the wp-content/plugins folder
2. Go to your WordPress site using a browser and login
3. Click on the Plugins link from the main menu at top
4. Scroll down the list of available plugins to find the plugin you just uploaded
5. Click “Activate” to make your plugin active
WordPress Plugin Sites
We found the following sites with a comprehensive list of WordPress Plugins:
WordPress Wiki – Plugins: http://wiki.wordpress.org/?pagename=Plugin
WordPress Plugin Repository: http://dev.wp-plugins.org/
WP-Plugins Download Interface: http://redalt.com/external/plugins.php
WordPress Plugin Database: http://www.wp-plugins.net/
