The short version: I’m working on the new book as quickly as I can.  I’m hoping to complete it — and the videos that will go with it — on or before February 10th. (So far, so good!)

In the meantime, I won’t be replying to emails or comments.  They’re slowing me down. The most common answers are below.

FAQs:

1. I am working on the new edition as quickly as I can. I said that it would be available “around the end of January 2009,”  not “before the end of January.”  I’m still on schedule.

2. The new edition will include tips for installing Branford Magazine, new and old versions, and my own version that includes my recommended changes, already in the code.   The screenshots are from WordPress 2.7.

3. I’m planning to price it at $17, the same as the previous edition.

4. The new product will be a fully revised book with far more pages and screenshots.  It will include illustrated tips for:

- Auto-installing WordPress,

- Installing and customizing Branford Magazine,

- Installing and customizing several of the most useful plugins,

- Using the WordPress 2.7 dashboard to create and modify posts and webpages, and

- Troubleshooting the most common image problems, including MySQL issues… with screenshots.

You’ll be able to buy just the book, or the book plus videos for a slightly higher price.

5. If you’re on my mailing list — sign up in the right column on this page — you will receive a coupon (good for just three days) to save 50% off the price of either product.

(When I deleted the old books from E-Junkie, the customer list vanished as well.  So, please sign up for the coupon!)

6. After the first three days, my products (book, and the book-plus-video)  will have an affiliate program (50% commission) through E-Junkie and through Commission Junction.

7. My version of the Branford Magazine theme will be free. I will also post free copies of all past versions of Branford Magazine theme that I’ve used. (To be very clear: The book will not be free.  It never has been.)

8. I don’t know any other free theme that’s as useful as Branford Magazine.  That said, the two themes most like it are Mimbo, which is available in a free version, and Revolution, which is a premium ($59. and up) theme.

That said, if you’re struggling to work with the Branford Magazine theme, Mimbo won’t be much easier.  In fact, Mimbo was one of the main inspirations for Branford Magazine.  Revolution comes will support to help you, but… well, I like Branford Magazine better.

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The backstory on my schedule: I got a late start, when I saw the scope of the work involved. It took me a couple of weeks to decide whether or not to commit to this project.   It’s huge.

Then, I spent too much time replying to comments and emails from people asking why they can’t buy the book, if the new one is ready yet, etc.

That’s why I’m no longer replying to them:  I want to complete the book ASAP.

To get a general idea of where I am in the process, you can check BranfordMagazine.com.  I’m installing it from scratch and creating screenshots during the process.  The more complete that site is, the more complete the book is, too.

The installation and customizing take me a couple of hours.  The screenshots and text are what take time.