Old Timers' Transition Into WordPress

Do a computer course at your local college design for people like you.

Also you could look at wordpress.com might be eaiser.

Also this library will help with the terminology

https://codex.www.ads-software.com/

phillbooth, Thank you for the suggestion about the college class, but I am going to object. Considering the scope of what I have learned without taking a college course to learn it, I am skeptical of why WordPress would be the first technology over a period of 40 years requiring formal education to grasp.

Speaking of the Codex, is there any system besides WordPress using the term Codex in a similar manner? Maybe WordPress would be easier to understand if its documentation was called “documentation” or “guide” instead of “codex.”

I think WordPress is supported as much by cult as software excellence.

I used to run “Silver Surfer” for internet first times courses in the UK but it sounds like your IT skills are well polished.

WordPress has over 100million website anything that you need to know about will be well documented in tutorials, just search “wordpress” + keyword and you problem will have an answer.

I think codex is a more Latin term for documentation use more in European English. I can see where the confusion is.

The impression that I get from your… let’s face it, moaning, is that when you were younger you could learn faster than now. It doesn’t take rocket science to know the name for this: aging. Perhaps time is catching up with you but you shouldn’t just blame it on a CMS that’s the most popular blogging system on the Internet. Sometimes the problem is ours.

By the way, how’s your php/jquery going? Could you build a CMS from scratch? If not you’ll have to open your mind and stick to what there is (which by the way is great). If you do, great for you! Use it.

As for the term codex or codices… yeah, whatever. Just don’t expect the whole world to speak YOUR language.

Considering the scope of what I have learned without taking a college course to learn it, I am skeptical of why WordPress would be the first technology over a period of 40 years requiring formal education to grasp.

Any new system comes with a learning curve. WordPress is no different, in that respect, than any other piece of software.

Maybe WordPress would be easier to understand if its documentation was called “documentation” or “guide” instead of “codex.”

Select the Support link at the top of this or any page. The second item in the dropdown is “Documentation”. Isn’t that straightforward enough?

I think WordPress is supported as much by cult as software excellence.

I think you are confusing “cult” with “community”.

+1 @esmi. Very nicely put. I need +1s! Damn Facebook/G+!

The impression that I get from your… let’s face it, moaning, is that when you were younger you could learn faster than now. It doesn’t take rocket science to know the name for this: aging. Perhaps time is catching up with you but you shouldn’t just blame it on a CMS that’s the most popular blogging system on the Internet. Sometimes the problem is ours.

Why is my problem isolated to WordPress? I use new systems all the time. Only WordPress confounds me. I am not alone, as shown by philbooth’s comments.

I think WordPress sells itself on simplicity, appealing to non programmers. Then, to provide all the features required, WordPress requires plugins and customization. Adding plugins and customizing WordPress is a form of programming, even though you don’t call it that. By the time a person copes with understanding plugins, how to find them, how to make your own if you need them, you are programming in a WordPress world that is no easier than other programming worlds. The difference is the people who understand WordPress programming are in a world of their own, not understanding why programmers from other worlds would be confused by WordPress.

Any new system comes with a learning curve. WordPress is no different, in that respect, than any other piece of software.

WordPress is significantly harder to learn than many systems. I work with new systems all the time, it is how I make a living. WordPress stands out in its difficulty to grasp.

Select the Support link at the top of this or any page. The second item in the dropdown is “Documentation”. Isn’t that straightforward enough?

It would be if it did not lead to a page titled “WordPress Codex”. It should lead to a page titled “WordPress Documentation.” Also, it is common for WordPress people to refer to the “Codex” as if that is a term people should know. This is a great example of mystique creating confusion.

I think you are confusing “cult” with “community”.

All cults are communities. If you have to say your community is not a cult, it is a cult.

Why is my problem isolated to WordPress? I use new systems all the time. Only WordPress confounds me. I am not alone, as shown by philbooth’s comments.

We have no idea but tens of millions of other non-technical users seem to be coping OK.

I think WordPress sells itself on simplicity, appealing to non programmers.

Have you ever used Dupal? Or Joomla? Or any other CMS? Perhaps WordPress is not for you. That’s OK. It’s not for everyone.

All cults are communities.

But not all communities are cults. WordPress is about as open to everyone as any open source project can possibly be. But, then, as I’ve said, perhaps it’s just not for you.

Since this discussion has now gone completely off topic, I’m now closing it. You do, of course, still have your WordPress site that you can use if you wish to elaborate further on your views. Good luck with the site. It’s nice to see a site that is dedicated to helping some of WordPress’ older users.