This is both a list of recommendations, and also a reminder for me, because I tend to lose track of these things across all the various web properties.

I use and trust the following WordPress Plugins:

• Akismet – Number one with a bullet, used on every single one of my WordPress installations to control comment spam.
• Blubrry PowerPress – Turns WordPress into a podcasting machine.
• MobilePress – Like WPtouch (below) but works for a broader selection of mobile web devices.
• Add To Any – Automatically add links on your posts, pages and RSS feed to your favorite social bookmarking sites.  Replaced Sociable (below) as my social bookmarking plugin of choice.
• Sociable – Automatically add links on your posts, pages and RSS feed to your favorite social bookmarking sites.
• µAudio Player – Allows people to play MP3 media directly from the browser.
• WordTwit – The rather unfortunately named “WordTwit” keeps track of when you publish new posts, and automatically informs all followers by pushing out a Twitter tweet. All links are automatically converted to tiny URLs to save space. Most users see a substantial increase in blog traffic after tweeting their posts on a frequent basis.
• WP Easy Uploader – Easily upload any type of content without the need for FTP. You can even upload plugin and theme archives and have the files automatically extract into the plugin or theme folder.  [This is now obsolete with newer versions of WordPress]
• WPtouch iPhone Theme – Turns any WordPress site into iPhone app when viewed by an iPhone.
• SI CAPTCHA – A CAPTCHA to protect comment posts and or registrations in WordPress.  Between this and Akismet I’ve been able to turn off the requirement for people to register before commenting.

Tip for long-time WordPress users…

If, after you’ve updated your WordPress installation and you suddenly notice a lot of strange characters (such as ‘Â’ etc.) scattered through your text, here’s a fix that might help.  At least, it helped for me.

On your website, find the file called wp-config.php and make a backup copy of it.  What I do is make a copy and name it wp-config.php.bak.

Bring wp-config.php up in a text editor and delete the line that reads:

define(‘DB_CHARSET’, ‘utf8′);

Save the file, put it back on your website, and view your pages.  With any luck at all, all those strange characters disappear from your posts.

If it doesn’t work, put your original copy back and start searching the WordPress help forums.

Good luck!

Look at me, I’m doing it.  And if I can do it, you can do it.  You just have to want to do it.

Mine sprang from several things:

• I’m a writer and I’m endlessly writing.
• I have a lot of interests.
• One of my interests and passions is putting together websites.

Mix those three and what you get is what you see here.  I created a website for everything I have a passionate interest in, and so when I suddenly feel inspiration to write about one of these interests, I have a place to publish it.

Each domain name costs less than $10 a year.  The website hosting, through Zz Hosting, costs $8.50 a month and houses all the domains, all the websites, and gives me unmetered bandwidth.  Google Adsense ads on some of the websites generates enough income that it covers all the expenses and then some.

That’s all there is to it.