Review of Atahualpa Wordpress Blogging Software
Building Your Own Website with Open Source Content Management System
Nov 16, 2009
Is it possible for the novice programmer to build a professional-appearing website using free, open-source blogging software? Widely used Wordpress software, when couple with a flexible theme such as Atahualpa, and a plethora of plug ins offers the novice all the tools to build a professional-grade blog or website.
Though initially the purview of hobbyists, blogging has moved broadly into nearly every sphere of organizational life. From self-employed professionals to CEO's of major corporations and political giants, bloggers are able to connect with their audiences easily, inexpensively, and quickly.
With the availability of free, open-source, professionally-designed templates, anyone with a modicum of computer comfort can design a professional-appearing blogging or organizational website.
Atahualpa is a free, open source Wordpress theme that has evolved into a flexible content management system with enough style options to support a wide array of blogging and website needs.
Traditionally, blogging software offered minimal color and style options geared to displaying short text musings in chronological order.
Recent Wordpress releases, when paired with newer blogging templates such as Atahualpa, and enhanced by a wide array of available plug-ins are flexible enough to be used as content management systems. Consider using these templates to build a custom website without paid professional help.
Atahualpa Free Blogging Software
Atahualpa, the free, open-source blogging software theme in one of the most popular Wordpress themes. It is highly rated by users, with a 4.5 out of 5.0 average rating. With exceptional flexibility and strong forum support, this theme is an excellent choice for the do-it-yourself website or blog designer.
Flexible Website Layout
Atalhualpa's flexibility begins with its overall layout—from one to five columns, fixed or fluid widths. With this flexibility a website designer can create a wide variety of site layouts. Adding further flexibility, Atahualpa permits user-selected options for nearly every aspect of a site's appearance and functionality.
The nearly two-dozen pages of options can be daunting initially, but once the structure is understood, it becomes very easy to make site-wide appearance and structure changes without editing php theme pages.
The option selection pages contain many examples to help the new user select appropriate options. Selected options are stored in database files, eliminating the need to re-introduce them when upgrading to newer theme releases.
Blogging Software Plug-ins
Atahualpa's appearance and structural flexibility are enhanced by the additional functionality available with a wide array of free plug-ins. This ability to add functionality through plug-ins isn't limited to Atahualpa, but is a Wordpress function. If at some time in the future the blogger decides to utilize a different theme, it is highly likely that the plug-ins in use with Atahualpa will continue to function correctly with the new theme.
Backup to Protect Websites
Novice bloggers and professional designers alike have experienced the frightening and disheartening shock of computer crashes which destroy precious data. Backing up blogging databases religiously is the solution that takes little time in relation to the effort to totally reconstruct one's blog or website.
Caution for Open Source Software Users
Free, open-source software programs such as Wordpress and the Atahualpa theme offer attractive options to hiring outside professional designers. The downside to open-source, free blogging software is that technical support can be inconsistent or even unavailable. In the case of both Wordpress and Atahualpa, however, active and helpful support forums offset the absence of dedicated support available with purchased products.
Custom Websites with Wordpress and Atahualpa
With free, open-source blogging and content management software from Wordpress and Atahualpa, nearly anyone can create a professional-appearing, unique website.
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