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WordPress Classic Editor To Bite The Dust

When I first created my website, SJKeyChronicles.com, back in 2018, I had to learn a lot of functions to make myself proficient incorporating

When I first created my website, SJKeyChronicles.com, back in 2018, I had to learn a lot of functions to make myself proficient incorporating the WORDPRESS Classic Editor Format. This allowed me to write halfway decent articles that readers would find acceptable. Even though I had help from my mentor, Jim Daniels @ bizweb2000.com, I had to figure out a lot of procedures on my own.

It was a daunting task to say the least, but my perseverance paid off and I eventually morphed into a halfway decent blogger. The current status of the articles I write are a testament to the fact that I mastered most of the basic functions well. Now, 3 years later, WORDPRESS wants me to make a decision. I must learn a whole new system of creating and editing my blogs or face extinction.

Classic Editor Drawbacks

Since I spent a serious amount of time perfecting my knowledge of the CLASSIC EDITOR format, I resisted any sort of change that required my engagement with a whole new learning curve. Now, I have no choice short of installing a plug-in that will allow me the option of staying the course with the old system.

However, it seems like I am always sitting in some sort of classroom studying different techniques that will help improve my writing skills. As for presenting a professional looking product with layouts, media insertions, and control of website matter, I have been limited up until now.

In a nutshell, I have found the old system had controls that required numerous plugins and external programs to create a finished product. For example, the media editing function has been somewhat basic and inserting images into your post required a convoluted process of downloading an image with the hope that the WORDPRESS algorithm found the picture acceptable. Also, placing text alongside an image was impossible without the help of another plug-in. A very convoluted process, I might add.

What The Gutenberg Block Editor Will Accomplish

WORDPRESS has created a new format called THE GUTENBERG BLOCK EDITOR which will replace THE CLASSIC EDITOR that I, as well as many of you bloggers out there, have been using for years. Their notification said that they will not support said CLASSIC EDITOR format in 2022 going forward.

So, I took the new iPad Air that my son, Eric, sent me for Father’s Day and decided a twofer was in order. I would create a new blog using the Block Editor while learning the ins and outs of the new device which had upgraded features over my old iPad Mini. This article is that first blog, and I will take you step by step through my first effort here as I learn while I create.

Before I do that, however, I will point out that I went online and found an article on the WordPress Beginner website called “How To Use The New WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg Tutorial)”. It said that the system was easy to learn and just required your understanding of the use of “Blocks” for each part of your writing process.

The main thing that the article pointed out is that you would have control over each insertion that you make. The Title function would have its own box, the paragraph Heading would have its own box, the same for a Media Image, and the default box ( block) would be automatically created each time you hit the enter key. So, without further adieu, I just jumped in and gave it a go.

The Adventure Begins

Since my default setting for creating blogs was the Classic Editor, I went to the Administrator Settings on the WORDPRESS App on my iPad and found a button which, when tapped, converted my format to the Block Editor program. Then I tapped the + icon on my Dashboard to create a new blog.

When the page opened, the Block Editor showed the first Block which contained the word “TITLE“. So, I typed the title WORDPRESS TRANSITION TO GUTENBERG BLOCK EDITOR inside the block box and the TITLE was automatically created with the correct font, size, and bolded with no further effort on my part.

When I hit the return button, a new paragraph block appeared. Being as this is where I planned the placement of my Media Image, I typed the word image inside the box so that it would let me know I had a place for a picture that I could insert later on.

Then I hit the return and created the next paragraph box which I wanted to use for a Heading. I then tapped the 3 dots at the bottom of the box and several paragraph options popped up. I took a chance and tapped the “Transform Block…” option which then presented more choices. I then chose the Heading option and typed in “WordPress Classic Editor To Bite The Dust“. Once again, that first Heading was automatically created with the correct font, size, and bolded with no further effort on my part.

Start Writing You Fool

When all of this foofaraw was completed, I just started writing this article. While typing away, the Block increased in size until I finished the first paragraph. Then, I sort of foolishly expected the next paragraph to remain inside the same box, but when I hit the return, I was presented with a brand new box.

A little confused at first, I suddenly realized the new box gave me the freedom to exercise complete control over the new paragraph without facing the problem of affecting the other paragraphs when I added special features. I could insert an image, set written matter alongside the image, include a caption, install a graph or table, and so on.

So, I just started typing away, creating new paragraphs in each new block, then transformed a block into the Heading mode where needed. This became a very simple process without setbacks as I moved along.

Wrapping Up

So, that is the synapsis of my initial learning curve as presented here while I worked the keyboard and learned some basics while doing so. As the saying goes, if I could do it, anyone else could as well because it is that simple.

As for this point in time, I am calling it quits until I learn how I can take advantage of more features like copying, dragging, and dropping images into a box, or adding captions, and placing text next to a picture.

Until then, I am asking for comments that will help me and others better understand the intricacies of the GUTENBERG BLOCK EDITOR program. If not, at least let me know if this article was helpful. Until the next time, I bid you adieu!

I am requesting that my readers click on the links provided and download a sample read of each book and give a review on Amazon. You will have free access to the first four chapters of each book. My hope is that you will like the story lines enough to obtain either an eBook version or a paperback copy that you can put on your bookshelf as a masterpiece when you are done. FATE STALKS A HERO I: RESURGENCE, FATE STALKS A HERO II:THE FIJI FULCRUM, and THE SAGA OF HERACLES PENOIT. I will be giving excerpts on these works in upcoming blogs to familiarize you the reader with exciting details about the contents of each one. Thank you!

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