• So glad HootSuite lets us add comments to RTs! RT @bgardner: Looks like the Twitterrific RT function mocks the Twitter one. Can't add… #
• Great collection! RT @smashingmag: For the new month: Desktop Wallpaper Calendar: September 2010 – http://su.pr/6d3cVf #
• RT @smashingmag: We're giving away 5 lifetime memberships of icon sets from @iconeden (http://bit.ly/c2aLv2). To win one, just RT this msg! #
• Tweet-stimonials: great new #wordpress plugin displays your "favorite" tweets, great for any business site #wp http://ow.ly/2yTyf #
• RT @mashable: 35 Entertaining 404 Error Pages – http://mash.to/2zDTi #

While performing my normal web site maintenance on my client’s sites earlier this week, I came across a situation that brought me to a screeching halt. I was uploading photos into a new gallery, and during the upload process, noticed that the thumbnail creation was producing an unfamiliar error message.

Warning: imagecreatefromjpeg() [function.imagecreatefromjpeg]: gd-jpeg: JPEG library reports unrecoverable error: in /public_html/wp-content/plugins/nextgen-gallery/lib/gd.thumbnail.inc.php on line 176

Fatal error: Out of memory (allocated 32505856) (tried to allocate 11264 bytes) in /wp-content/plugins/nextgen-gallery/lib/gd.thumbnail.inc.php on line 176

Having to troubleshoot issues like this is a part of my daily life, considering the number of sites that I maintain for my clients. I always start with the most common issues; verify that file permissions are correct, check .php code for issues due to recent updates, etc. When I get stuck, I move on to Google. Usually, searching for something like in this case, “gd.thumbnail.inc.php on line 176″, will bring up any discussion by people who have experienced similar issues. I found that this was a common enough issue, with not many solutions.

Note: In this case, you may think that your host should increase your memory limit due to the second error generated… some hosts don’t allow this, some may already have your limit set pretty high. Make sure you send your host ALL of the error messages you receive so they can help you more effectively. In this case, the memory limit message was a result of the first error and less relevant to finding the solution.

Once I read all the posts in the WordPress.org forums, I realized that the solutions that made the most sense to me all pointed to the host, rather than the scripts. After talking to my server guys for a short time, it was determined that rebuilding GD, it’s dependencies, and PHP was the only solution. [What is GD library?] Since this is not something I could do from my end of things, I waited patiently while staring at the “could not reach server” responses on my sites (apparently, rebuilding these code libraries requires taking the server down for a very short period of time) .

In this instance, rebuilding GD, it’s dependencies, and PHP did the trick. NextGEN Gallery started working the way it was supposed to, and all was right with the world. If you’re seeing similar issues with your WordPress plugins, you may want to consider skipping all the alterations to your core code as suggested in forums, and check with your host first.

Problems like this one are bound to happen occasionally, such is life on the Internet… this is only one reason that your relationship with your host is so important! I host all my client’s sites, and have a seven year strong relationship with the people that run my servers. If you’re not happy with your current host, and would like to stop worrying about issues as described above, contact me … maybe I can help make this one part of your work day run a little smoother. Remember that I’m only a phone call away using my consultation line!

• Anyone with WP experience that's worked with the WP e-commerce plugin by getshopped.com wanna help me trouble shoot an issue? #
• FREE SSL image hosting service http://www.sslpic.com/ (If you want to customize your PayPal checkout pages, this will help!) #
• Been waiting a long time for this! RT @mashable: Gmail Introduces Rich Text Signatures – http://ow.ly/29aDh #

• Enjoy the holiday weekend! I check my mail often & remain available via mobile. Stay safe #

• Updating client sites to WP 3.0 … no problems so far, no plug-in conflicts. It should stay this way! Long day ahead. #
• Shopping for shopping cart software to integrate with WP. Opinions and experiences welcome! #

• It rained the entire ride home from Lake George but was still a great day at Americade! #

• Great couple of days riding, visting waterfalls, and hangin` with friends. Great weather! #
• Another beautiful day for riding… wonder where we`ll wind up today? #
• WordPress 3.0 is coming. All client sites will be updated as soon as it's released. http://codex.wordpress.org/Version_3.0 #
• Top 15+ WordPress Plugins http://bit.ly/bKj4IO #
• Note to self: don't RT anything from your cell phone, it just doesn't work right lol #

• Long day ahead updating client web sites. Worked an event all weekend for http://www.FullTangCutlery.com #
• Attn: WordPress experts – I need to integrate a shopping cart with StudioPress customized theme… recommendations from experience welcome! #
• Updated 20 WP plugins. Seems NextGen Gallery no longer needs thumbnail fix! WoOt! IE used to "fold" gallery thumbs. Whew. #
• "Like" GingerWench.com on Facebook – http://www.gingerwench.com/FaceBook #
• GingerWench.com is now Mobile friendly! Will surfers be able to navigate YOUR site on phones and other wireless devices? http://ow.ly/1QziZ #
• With the return of the ability to customize FB landing tabs http://ow.ly/1QCoe you may want to consider SEO for Facebook http://ow.ly/1QCqg #
• Beautiful riding weather… coffee`s great tonight #
• Here's hoping that "scattered thunder showers" don't ruin today's plans! Have a great Memorial Day weekend #

As I was sorting through my closet, storing winter clothes and breaking out the summer outfits… I had to laugh. Small Business owners should feel the same way about their site design as I do about the clothes in my closet. Out with the over-sized, heavy stuff… in with the minimalistic, lighter things in preparation for a HOT summer.

While the clothes I wear have everything to do with the seasonal weather, in a lot of ways, so does the design of a successful small business web site. There are a lot of hand held devices being used more this time of year, as people come out of hibernation and bring their internet connections with them! The popularity of the iPad, iPod Touch, and cell phones with web access should be considered when designing your site. (Remember that I’m in Upstate NY, so good weather is something we wait a long time for!)

A quick loading site is always important for visitor satisfaction, obviously… but when your site is being accessed through WiFi on a beach, it’s absolutely necessary! Consider dumping the bloated graphics, updating your scripts, and actually using a wireless device to view your site. Will summer surfers be able to find what they need on your site quickly, or will they leave your site in frustration? What provisions have you made for WAP surfers?

If you’ve never heard of “WAP“, or haven’t even considered what today’s tech savvy surfers are seeing when surfing your site on their wireless devices, contact me for a consultation… or check out some of the links below for more information. I’ll be concentrating on updating current client sites when I’m not out on our Harley-Davidson enjoying some of the long awaited warm weather… in all my re-discovered summer clothes, of course!

WAP and WordPress related links:

• WordPress Mobile Edition – a plugin that shows an interface designed for a mobile device when visitors come to your site on a mobile device. Mobile browsers are automatically detected, the list of mobile browsers can be customized on the settings page.
• WordPress Mobile Pack – The WordPress Mobile Pack is a complete toolkit to help mobilize your WordPress site and blog. It includes a mobile switcher to select themes based on the type of user that is visiting the site, a selection of mobile themes, extra widgets, device adaptation and a mobile administration panel to allow users to edit the site or write new posts when out and about.

Let me know if you’re interested in redesigning your site for summer… lighter graphics, minimalistic design and updated scripts and plug-ins including WAP integration. If there’s interest, perhaps I’ll run a customized design sale

• was rudely reminded that working with graphics is always better when you make friends with the "save" button. Grr. #winxpfail #
• [New Post] New sites launch! http://toast.tw/100ojr #
• #IMVU Go GREEN for St. Patrick's Day! Check out my complete outfits and stickers for the holiday, hair to shoes! http://bit.ly/djy3Ww #