I would love to hear if these changes have solved the mysterious blank page problem, so, please post your feedback on the comment thread at the WP-Testimonials page and let me know.

Figuring it wouldn’t be any different for the 3G iPhones, I started the download in iTunes and went on to other tasks.  Once the OS was ready for install, I grabbed my daughter’s phone and plugged it in.  I pressed the magic “update” button and expected she would have the app folders, multitasking and other new features in a few hours.  Five hours goes by and iTunes is still showing a backup is in progress, but there is only 1 progress bar.  At this point, I’m very tired (I started the upgrade just after dinner) so I head to Google for some assistance from the virtual community.

The majority of threads I found related to long updates said doing a “restore” rather than an “update” on the 3G model seemed to work better.  As I had just done a complete backup on her iPhone the day before, I figured I had nothing to lose by canceling the in-progress update and attempting the restore.  So, that’s exactly what I did.

After canceling the update I unplugged her phone and restarted my machine just for good measure.  After plugging her phone back in and launching iTunes I then selected the “restore” option.  I selected her backup from the drop down list and crossed my fingers.  Within 2 hours her phone had been restored to factory settings, iOS4 was installed and her backup file was loaded back to the device with everything intact.

The next day I proceeded to use the same method to update my 3G.  I did a fresh sync before starting and as an added precaution I copied the photos from my iPhone to a folder on my computer in case anything went wrong.  The restore method worked flawlessly and I was running the new OS within a few hours.

We have a friend who used the “update” method on their iPhone 3G and had to let it run overnight.  He said the total time for the update was just over 10 hours!

If you choose to go with restore rather than update, do so at your own risk as it has not been listed as an official method for getting iOS4 on your device.

Oh… and after getting the new OS installed don’t expect to use multitasking and voice control on your 3G.  Those features aren’t available on this model.  Folders for apps and threaded email are a big improvement, though.

The most notable change is the option to open a client website in a new window has been removed.  This change was made in order to make the public pages created by the plugin HTML5 compatible.  Opening a new window/tab on a client browser is not only no longer supported in HTML coding standards, it is also considered bad programming design as it forces an unsolicited new window upon a visitor.

Other changes were minor bug updates for compatibility with WordPress 3.0 and a fix to the shortcode.

Download the beta version: wp-testimonials-RC4

If you test this update, please post your feedback so I can address any outstanding bugs before the final release.  Thanks!

The image field is designed to be populated with a URL.  A link to the WP Media page in the dashboard (opening in a new window) has been included on the testimonial management page to make it easy to grab the URL from any graphic you have uploaded in your WordPress system.  You may also use a URL from elsewhere on the Internet.

Settings are available to have the image align left or right within the testimonial text.  There is also an option to set the maximum height for the images, giving you more control over how much space they consume.

Download the latest version

Blogging under your own domain

Branding, branding, branding.  This is the biggest advantage to running a blog software on your own domain rather than using a third party service.  Select a domain name that well represents you, your business or your service and will be easy for visitors to remember.  (Tips for selecting a domain name)

You will also need a hosting account for your blog.  The blogging engine requires PHP and mySQL (which is pretty standard for hosting accounts nowadays).

Ready to lock in your domain?  Check out Tiger Technologies.  For a low rate of $7.95/month, you can have your own domain, a hosting account with ample storage space, as many email addresses as you could possibly need and peace of mind knowing top notch tech support is always on call for you.

Setting up your blogsite

You can be blogging away in just a few minutes if you are comfortable with FTP and making a few edits to a PHP file.  To get your blog online download the current version of the WordPress publishing platform and follow the  instructions for self-install at the WordPress Codex.

Check out my blogsite services if you need assistance getting your blog up and running.

Staying under budget

WordPress is released under Open Source, which means it is free to download and use (although I strongly encourage a donation to the developers). Because all of the content is controlled through a dashboard with a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor, you can add/edit pages whenever you want without needing to know any HTML or programming.  This means you no longer need to pay that web designer for minor updates to your site.

Versatile and professional

Many different business models have successful blogs or even full business websites utilizing a content management system.  Here are a few sites I’ve worked with that are running WordPress:

• Sunfrog Services LLC
• Home Business Network
• Writer By Nature
• Alpha Homes
• Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida
• Change Through Giving
• Westside Center for Community and Self Development
• Performing Arts Of Maitland

Let’s get blogging

If you are ready to move forward and need my help – hop over to blog installation page for prices and more information.  Or contact me directly.

This update includes these changes:

• Modified HTML to use blockquote and cite for formatting
• Added option to set number of random testimonials in sidebar
• Added ability to give access to non-administrators
• Added option to sort page by user defined sort order

Download the latest version

I wanted to create a place where everyone facing these challenges could meet and share, socialize and laugh, support and assist each other.  Voila – Home Business Network was imagined.

Membership in HBN is absolutely free.  Anyone with a home business is welcome to join at no charge.  All members have access to the forums to interact with other members on topics of family, work and more.  Premium Membership is available for a nominal fee for members interested in a public profile and access to the Job Board section of the forums.  Premium Members also enjoy private messaging options and spam bypass on the forums for quicker posting.

There are no member graphics or silly requirements that you link from your site to HBN.  You don’t need to offer testimonials on what a great person you are to gain entrance.  If you own a home business – you’re invited.  Simple.

My goal is to see HBN flourish by members for members.  You know best what information you need and what advice you can offer others.  By creating a brain trust among our members we can all be a bit more successful and open some wonderful doors to networking previously unavailable through groups focusing only on one type of business.

WP-Testimonials 2.0 can be upgraded directly within your dashboard or you may download the new version from this site.  You may also choose to install the plugin through your dashboard by choosing “add new” under the plugins header and searching for “testimonials”.

For support, please visit the WP-Testimonials Support Page.

Here are the changes made to this release:

• Compatibility with WP2.5 through WP2.8.3
• Random block now pulls testimonial via “ORDER BY RAND” for true random order
• Removed obsolete field in table “views”
• Pages/posts can now be created using shortcode (eliminates the need for a custom theme page)
• Added “read more” link to random sidebar block
• Added configuration options to show/hide “read more” link in sidebar with customizable text
• Added options to delete table upon deactivation