1. Presented by Suzette Franck
WordPress Pasadena
August 28, 2012

2. What Is BuddyPress?
Social Networking Plugin for WordPress
Features Similar to Facebook
Released in May of 2009
Open Source
Built Upon MySQL and PHP technologies
Latest Version 1.6.1

3. Requirements
A working installation of WordPress version 3.2.1 or
greater.
PHP version 5.3 or greater
MySQL 4.1 or greater
The mod_rewrite Apache module enabled
A good backup of all files in root directory (SFTP)
An SQL Dump (Backup of your database)

4. Features
Activity Streams and Status Updates
User Self-Registration
Extended Profiles
Friend Connections
Private Messaging
Blogging & Static Pages
Discussion Groups & Forums
Member Listing

5. BuddyPress installation
Enable Components
Setup Pages for BuddyPress: Activity, Forums,
Groups, Members, Activate, Register
Update Permalinks
Activate BuddyPress Enabled Theme or Use
BuddyPress Template Pack
Finish & Activate
Public Access (Settings → General)

6. Upgrading and Backing Up
Backup all files through sFTP or Plugin of choice
Backup Database
http://codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Backups
Test on Demo Site When Possible
Consider Subdomain for Established Sites
Troubleshooting:
http://codex.buddypress.org/troubleshooting/blank-pages/
Before Upgrading: Backup Backup Backup!

7. BuddyPress Administration
Settings → BuddyPress
Enable Components
Setup Pages
General Settings
Forums Setup: Groups or Site Wide Forums
User Profile Fields Users → Profile Fields

8. Forum Installation
bbPress 2.1.2
Group Forums Limited to Group Members Only
(More Private)
Sitewide Forums Open to Everyone (Harder to
Setup)
http://codex.buddypress.org/getting-
started/installing-group-and-sitewide-forums/

9. EXTENDED USER
PROFILES
Users → Profile Fields
Add Fields Relevant to Your Audience
Text Box, Multi-Line Text Box
Date Selector
Radio Buttons, Checkboxes
Drop-down Select Box, Multi-Select Box
Privacy Recently Added

10. Parent/Child Themes
BuddyPress default theme files are at:
/wp-content/plugins/buddypress/bp-themes/bp-default
NEVER EDIT BP-DEFAULT THEME OR CORE FILES
DIRECTLY!!! KITTENS MAY DIE!
Create a new folder under
/wp-content/themes/
Copy bp-default theme files to new folder
Replace style.css, delete content of functions.php in
new folder
Use BuddyPress Template Pack for existing
Themes

11. style.css
/*
Theme Name: BuddyPress Custom Theme
Theme URI: http://location.com
Description: Modified theme for BuddyPress.
Version: 1.0
Author: Suzette Franck
Author URI: http://location.com/
Template: bp-default
Tags: buddypress, two-column, light, white
*/
/* Inherit the default theme styles */
@import url( ../../plugins/buddypress/bp-themes/bp-
default/_inc/css/default.css );
/* Inherit the default theme adminbar styles */
@import url( ../../plugins/buddypress/bp-themes/bp-
default/_inc/css/adminbar.css );

12. BuddyPress Plugins
Over 435 BuddyPress Plugins
Many WordPress Plugins Work with BuddyPress
Listed in WordPress or BuddyPress Plugin Directory
Good Star Rating
Number of Votes
Reputation in Support Forums
Updated Regularly
Good Documentation with Screen Shots

13. BuddyPress Plugins
examples
BuddyPress Template Pack
BuddyPress Private Community
Configure SMTP (works well with Google Apps)
S2member (monetize memberships)
AdRotate & Advertising Manager
BuddyMobile & BP Extended Settings
Search Plugins for BP

14. BuddyPress Resources
BuddyPress: http://buddypress.org
Support
 Forums: http://buddypress.org/support/topics/
 Documentation: http://codex.buddypress.org/home/
WPMU Dev & WPMU.org
● http://premium.wpmudev.org/
●
http://wpmu.org/

15. BuddyPress EXAMPLES
http://tastykitchen.com/
Http://rideoregonride.com/
https://over60exchange.com/
http://students.sosdp.org/
http://helloecoliving.com/
http://culturadigital.br/
Http://iepgoals.net/

16. QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Http://Suzettefranck.com
Http://slideshare.net/bdollproject
Twitter: @suzettework
Email: suzette@kussner.com