via Use wp_trim_words to limit words in WordPress.

function js_youtube_embed($width,$height) {
	global $wp_query;
	$big_video = get_post_custom_values('Big_Video');
?>
<iframe width="<?php echo $width; ?>" height="<?php echo $height; ?>" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/<?php echo $big_video[0]; ?>?showinfo=0&hd=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<?php } ?>

Example, if this is your YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1p6A7X64Qg, you would use C1p6A7X64Qg as the value.

In you template, the function would look like this:

js_youtube_embed('940', '528');

The two values are the size of the video that you want embedded. So, in this case 940×528.

One of my favorite things about WordPress is its extensibility. We’re on the same platform today as yesterday, but have built new tools for writers and editors. Featured and pinned articles get expiration dates, so editors don’t have to go back and manually un-feature things. Selecting a post layout is as simple as clicking a button. Automated resizing of images means faster load times and fewer distorted photos. And choosing which articles go on the home page is a single-click affair.

Really loving the new design of TechCrunch. It is getting a lot of heat, but I like the change. Looks nice. Would love to steer Make in a similar direction.

via: Redesigning TechCrunch: We Picked This Logo Just to Piss You Off

WE’VE ALL BEEN HERE BEFORE…

You’re sitting at your desk, coding up a 500 page site, knee-deep in Extreme Cheddar Doritos sipping on a liter of Code Red Mountain Dew when you realize…this page would be som much more awesome with a VELOCIRAPTOR. You immediately scramble home to grab your Jurassic Park DVDs so can screencap a Velociraptor attack, but then you realize how hard it would be to make an awesome raptor run across the site you were coding. Plus, how are you going to get that trademark velociraptor screech? How about we let you in on a little secret?

We already did it.

Well, the guys at Zurb.com did it. And I made it into a WordPress plugin.

The Options

What’s that? You want to be able to control the entrance handler? You can! Raptorize can be activated on a click event (that is the default and what we have hooked up above), a timer which just fires after the page is loaded, or the legendary Konami-Code. Our personal favorite is the Konami-Code (but it only works once per page load).

Go ahead, try the Konami Code (↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A)

Works when you give a class of button to anything that can be clicked. i.e. <a href=”#” class=”button”>Button</a>

Download here

Try me…

This trip was a lot of fun. The conference was great, lots of really good, relevant talks. Highlights included Brandon Dove of PixalJar.net gave a great presentation about Child Themes vs. Theme Framworks. Having built a bunch of custom themes and child themes, personally I have stayed away from frameworks, but after hearing him, I kind of want to dig into Thematic and see what else there is to learn. Also really like when we looked into a site and he said, “This filter applies to all the single ladies.” Kind of a WordPress joke…

I had the opportunity to present myself, and was really happy when John Hawkins invited me to come down at WordCamp Utah. I spoke on the Loop, on how to build custom queries, template tags, and working with custom post types. My slides, similar to the WordCamp Utah ones below:

I also enjoyed hearing the flamboyant Eric Marden and hearing him speak on DevCraft: Best Practices for WordPress Teams. I never worked professionally as part of a dev shop, so his comments were interesting on a lot of levels. Taking a lot of his critique and commentary to heart, hoping to become a better developer as a result.

I guess this brings me to the crux. No one is a perfect developer.  For all of the WordCamps that I have been to, (been to eight now in the last two years) there is always something to learn. For the $20-$30 that they normally cost, there is no better way to spend a Saturday learning from everyone around you on how to be a better developer, better blogger, or better designer.

Hope to see you at the next one!

Thanks for all that were in attendance for your great conversation. Also, download all of the source code here: Schtuff.txt

Just getting started or looking for a little help with your WordPress questions? We’ll have a Genius Bar where you get some help. Already a WordPress whiz? Come volunteer at Genius Bar! Contact us and we’ll put you on the list.

And finally, at WordCamp Utah 2010 we’ll get an answer to that question you’ve always wondered about, Will WordPress Blend?

If you are interested in sponsoring, presenting, or helping make everything run smoothly please let us know –  we are still looking for help with video recording in both rooms so if you know someone who can help in that area we’d really like to hear from you.

The vital details:

• URL: http://2010.utah.wordcamp.org/
• Registration: http://wordcamputah2010.eventbrite.com/ ($20 + Eventbrite fee)
• Twitter: @wordcamputah
• Hash Tag: #wcut

Just wanted to let you all know about the Cameron Moll Colosseo iPad Martian Giveaway.

Cameron Moll is one of my favorite designers, creating the prominent typeset edition of LDS Temple that I am proud to hang in my home. In addition to hanging this in my home, it has also made the rounds at Stevens-Henager college to all of my classes, all the while sharing the video of the creation at the same time. (embedded below)

I first met Cameron two years ago at a dinner for speakers and sponsors of the WordCamp Utah. I had been following the blog NorthTemple.com for a while and new some of the names of the authors. After doing a little bit of digging around, I stumbled on to Cameron’s site, Authentic Boredom and became an active reader. It was exciting to get the chance to have dinner with him that night.

I didn’t think that our paths would cross again, but I was excited to see that he needed some help done a WordPress site last October. I jumped at the chance to help. I was chosen, and as a result, I can claim that I did the WordPress theme for AuthenticJobs.com/blog/. It was a fun project, one of the coolest designs that I have ever done.

So, now that the pitch is over, I wanted to mention colosseotype.com. This is the new letterpress poster of the Roman Coliseum. It was modeled from a photograph that was taken while on a trip there with his wife. I don’t own this yet, bet already have a spot reserved above my desk for it.

On a slightly nerdy note, I love the design of colosseotype.com. It is built using HTML5 and some kewl things using CSS3.

Love it…

So, if you looking for a smashing gift that will really leave an impression, check out Cameron’s fantastic letterpress posters. You will be amazed at the craftsmanship.

During my presentation, I mentioned my secret weapon in WordPress theme design, and that is the WordPress Cheat Sheet. Great tool for designing, lots easier then digging through the WordPress codex.

Thanks to Ash Buckles and Thom Allen for also presenting and for all those that attended!

When you are building around the WordPress platform, you get the benefit of the thousands of beautiful themes, robust plugins, and dedicated community of the platform, but WordPressMU, sometimes you need a little more, and that is where WPMU.org fits in. WPMU.org, and its premium version Premium.WPMUDEV.org which I am happily paying member are priceless tools when developing around the WPMU platform. Here are some of the essential tools for building a WordPressMU community.

• The Support Forums – Great place to get help when you need. They are always quick with a response, and happy to help.
• Training Videos – When creating a blogging network, some people are going to need some help. These videos were such a help when people needed help on Petomundo!.
• Google Analytics for WordPressMU – Able to be used for site-wide analytics, and for individual blogs. Great tool.
• MailChimp Newsletter Integration – For a project that I haven’t announced yet… Able to rapidly manage users and create email marketing campaigns.
• Rebranding WordPressMU – Remove and modify all of the images and links to WordPress. Sometime you want it to be your own! Part of the beauty of using Open Source Software…
• Terms of Service – Simply shows a terms of service box during signup that must be agreed to during signup. Great simple plugin.
• WordPressMU Affiliate – Create your own affiliate tools via this great plugin. Have your users help you in developing membership.
• The Premium Themes – Beautiful WordPress and BuddyPress themes with enough customization options to keep anyone happy. The themes alone are worth the price of the membership alone.

If you are developing around WordPressMU, membership to this site shouldn’t even be question. Every tool in the box is worth an annual membership, especially considering the robust support given.