Upgraded Blogs and Podcasts
Does the blogs or podcast system look newer to you? Over the Easter break this year we upgraded the software behind Blogs and Podcasts (WordPress) to the latest version. A few changes you may notice are:
- Feature Pointer – there are now popup boxes explaining any changes that may have happened since the upgrade. You can easily dismiss these messages.
- Consolidated Admin Bar – the dark grey admin bar at the top of you screen has been made simpler. Now there is one easy place to go to if you want to add new: users; posts; podcasts; pages; and the list continues. You can also use the My Sites section to swap between all your sites
- Drag and Drop Uploader – sick of clicking Select Files to upload a new media item? Now you can drag and drop the files into the browser.
- Random Header Images – can’t decide which image you’d like to use for your site’s header? Now you can have a random image from the collection show up each time you reload a page. You can find this option in the Header section within the Appearance menu.
Blogs go mobile
As mobile devices get smarter and increasingly popular our blogs system has to keep up. While it has always been possible to look at your blog site on a mobile device it hasn’t been optimized for those devices.
For the last couple of months we have been working on a solution for this, in conjunction with WPtouch Pro we’re now able to provide mobile friendly blog and podcast sites. You can change what menu icons are used (there is even an Otago set of icons) and lots of the other settings. Don’t worry though, if you don’t want to change anything it will work just fine.
Supported mobile devices:
- iPhone
- iPod Touch
- iPad
- Google Android
- Blackberry OS6 devices like the Torch and new Bold
- Most Samsung touch devices
- Many other smart phones will also see the mobile version of your site
More information: https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/help/mobile-theme-wptouch/
Go have a play with your new mobile settings and keep your eyes peeled for the next blogs and podcast update – Media Embedding on mobile devices.
New clothes for blogs and podcasts
Over the last few weeks we have been working on new themes which gives you more power and functionality on your blog or podcast site. The themes come with a couple of new features, like personalised banner images, 4 layouts, improved menu creation and a new look for quotes.
Personalised banners
Sick of picking between the default banner images? 
Now you can upload your own banner image to suit your site. You can do this in the new Header section under the Appearance menu. If you don’t like your new banner, you can always change back to one of the default ones, or get rid of the images altogether.
Switching layouts
In the past to change the layout of your site from 2 columns to 3, or 3 to 2 you had to select a whole new theme. Now you can change from within the Otago theme. Layouts can be changed from the Theme Options section of the Appearance menu. Here you can also change the content of your footer bar.
If you haven’t got the new theme on your site yet, you can turn it on in the Themes section of the Appearance menu. You will notice that the old themes are no longer available – but don’t worry, you can still find the default banner images in the new theme. If you already have a personalised banner already make sure you have a copy of it before you change themes.
