WordPress stores your database details (database name, user name, password and host name) in the “wp-config.php” file found in the root directory of the WordPress installation. Along with all other files, this file also resides in the public directory (~/home/user/public_html) of your Cpanel. Keeping the file in the public folder makes it easier for hackers to inject malware or delete your site by compromising your configuration settings.

You can protect your configuration file by using a little trick. WordPress automatically knows to look for your “wp-config.php” file one directory level up than the installation folder. So, by taking out your file  from public_html directory and  moving it to the private user directory will make it more secure.

Note: This trick will not work if your blog is installed in a sub-directory (domain.com/blog) or as a add-on domain (add-on.domain.com).

Source: Flickr Link

How it works

WPDB makes use of the $wpdb object in wordpress which can store an array of queries along with the time it takes to execute them. To enable this, you must add the followig code in the wp-config.php file (this should generally be updated by default).

define( 'SAVEQUERIES', true );

WPDB displays the total number of queries made to render each page along with execution time taken by each database query at the end of each wordpress page/post. It also list down the individual SQL statements and function call used to execute the queries.

If you see a plugin/theme with high number of similar queries or small number of really slow queries (consuming high amount of times), then you should consider disabling and replacing the plugin/theme.

Installation and Usage

1. Install WPDB Profiling from WordPress plugin directory and activate it

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wpdb-profiling/

2. Database profiling can be setup to display auto or by using “?show_queries=yes” in the parameter URL. You can activate the service for your wordpress users based on their permission level.

3. Additionally, the settings page allows you to disable “Auto Saving” and “Post Revisions”.

Download

WPDB Profiler plugin

WordPress Smush.it is a free plugin which uses the Smush.it API and help reduce file size of images you upload on your blog. Smush.it seamlessly integrates with WordPress and optimize images by JPG compression, convert GIFs into PNGs, stripping unused colors and meta data.

Installation and Uses

It’s a silent plugin, meaning you install it and forget about it. It keeps optimizing all your images in the background, every time you upload one. If you want, you can re-smush the images from your wordpress backend. Just go to “Media > Library”, select the image and click “Re-smush” link against it.

Download

Smush.it Plugin

ALT attribute is important part of search engine optimization. It describes your images to search engine and is a key determining factor when a user searches for a certain image. TITLE attribute is little less important from SEO perspective but helps users as it serves as the tooltip text on mouse over.

SEO Friendly Images

SEO Friendly Images helps you automatically add ATL and TITLE attributes to your website images. It can also override default WordPress ALT and TITLE attributes. You can select one or a combination of the following placeholders as an automated action.

%title – replaces post title
%name – replaces image file name (without extension)
%category – replaces post category
%tags – replaces post tags

You can play up with the combinations but I feel the following combination should work the best.

Download

SEO Friendly Images

By default WordPress adds “topics” or “tags” to the Category and Tags permalinks. You can change the default values as per your choice but you can’t disable it. That is were you can use the following two plugins to change the permalink structure.

Before the plugins are installed

wpluv.com/topics/category-name

wpluv.com/tags/tag-name

After the plugins are installed

wpluv.com/category-name

wpluv.com/tag-name

Essential reasons to use the plugins

1. Better and logical permalinks

2. Better SEO management. Shorter, more meaningful blog permalinks

Features

1. Simple plug-in. Very little overhead on Webserver resources. No dependency on any other plug-ins.

2. Silent plug-in. No options or anything required. Activate it and forget it.

3. Compatible with sitemaps and hierarchical categories (tags).

4. Rewrite old category (tag) permalinks to new one using 301 (permanent) redirect.

Download the Plug-ins

WP No Category Base

WP No Tags Base

We will quickly discuss the Hybrid theme framework and present 15 free WordPress themes based on it. All are free, rock solid and provide a plethora of features.

Theme Frameworks, Parent and Child themes

Before we move on, let’s have a quick word on Theme frameworks, Parent and Child themes. WordPress allows the creation of child themes. In simple words, it allows creation of themes which can copy another theme and change the look of it by using just a simple CSS file. It’s a great way for designers to quickly build new themes (called Child themes) based on a solid base theme (called Parent theme).

As you guessed it, Parent themes are more general in nature, packed with loads of features and are generally not made to be used as standalone themes (although you can use it as one). Child themes on the other hand contains nothing but CSS files, images and typically a functions.php file which decides what options from Parent theme it should display.

A theme framework is a special parent theme, which unlike Parent theme can’t be used on its own and is more high level in nature (although this is not a strict definition, but we can use it in the context of the article). Hybrid Theme originally started as a Parent theme, but recently a Framework have been released.

How to install a WordPress Theme

If you are new to WordPress themes, don’t fear as it is not rocket science. Just remember the following steps and you will be all set.

Step 1. Copy the Hybrid Parent theme in the wp-content/themes directory

Step 2. Copy the Child theme in the wp-content/themes directory

Step 3. In the WordPress Admin area, go to Appearance > Themes and choose the Child theme as your current theme

Only for Prototype Theme, you do not have to perform Step 1. Also, in case you are installing theme directly from WordPress site, install both the Parent theme and Child theme.

1. Hybrid Parent Theme

This is the Parent theme for all Hybrid based Child themes. Install this theme in your WordPress themes folder, along with any other Child theme you want to use. If you want, you can use it as your current theme without any Child themes.

2. Outline Theme

Outline theme has been specially developed based on Hybrid 0.8 and WordPress 3.0 and features custom background and navigation menus.

3. Prototype Theme

Prototype is a special parent theme, multiple nav menus, several widget areas, and per-post layouts. It is made to be used by web designers for creating beautiful Child Themes. Although you can use it without any Child themes.

4. Hybrid News Theme

Hybrid News has a magazine type layout, double navigation menus and special widget areas. The main purpose of the theme is to be used as a News site.

5. Structure Theme

Structure is a visually stunning theme through its pixel-perfect layout and beautiful typography.

6. Original Hybrid Layout Theme

Hybrid 0.6 has a new default layout. This Child theme was developed for people who liked the old layout.

7. Old School Theme

Old School is a stylish blue design with a custom page type scroll and cool animations.

8. Bliss Theme

Bliss is a very simple, very minimalistic in appearance. Great for people looking out for a minimal wordpress theme.

9. Critical Theme

Designed specially for a Movie database site, this theme is great for writing reviews and building a community of people around a single topic.

10. Leviathan Theme

Leviathan gives focus to your content and giving clutter free design. This theme works well with large images and long posts.

11. Life Collage Theme

Life Collage theme is meant to allow you to share your thoughts with the world. It’s purely about blogging and having a little fun while you do it.

12. Skeleton Theme

Skeleton is a blank child theme created for web designer in mind. If you’ve ever wanted to create your own custom child theme, then this is the place to start. Everything is laid out and ready for you.

13. WP Full Site Theme

WP Full Site theme built for small businesses that that is tailored towards the basics of gaining customers.

14. Malleable Theme

Malleable is another theme which can be used for sites seeking a magazine style layout.

15. Boxpulse Theme

Boxpulse theme offers a certain elegance and includes a template made specifically for the included slider.

What Next..??

I tried to generalize the process you need to follow for installing Hybrid based themes. Check out getting started tutorial incase you decide to use them. Hope you enjoyed the article. Let me know your views using the comments section.