You already know that you can choose from over 130 awesome themes here at WordPress.com, but did you know that you can create a theme that’s entirely unique to you with the Custom Design upgrade?

Adding the Custom Design upgrade, which is compatible with all WordPress.com themes, takes personalization to the next level by allowing you to choose from over 50 gorgeous Typekit fonts to use for your site’s title, headings, and body text.

Additionally, if you’re familiar with CSS, Custom Design enables you to customize your colors, borders, backgrounds, and even the layout of your blog.

Best of all, you can try before you buy. Head to Appearance → Custom Design in your dashboard to test out Custom Design right now.

Find details and CSS resources in the Custom Design support document.

One thing WordPress.org users should do is to check out Google Fonts. All fonts in the Google font directory are available for use on your website under an open source license and are served by Google servers. The service is very much like Typekit, except that it’s free and unbranded. No wonder they’re teaming up. There are currently approximately 20 fonts of varying styles in the directory, but expect this number to grow in the coming days. As will be the plug-ins to make the use of Google Fonts easier.

Google+ is one social network you don’t want to ignore.

You can also incorporate the widget into your template with only a few lines of PHP code, giving you the flexibility to place it anywhere within your layout.

You can learn more about the widget in the official blog post or jump straight to the code on GitHub.

Unofficial Google+ user tracking site SocialStatistics.com also offers an embeddable Google+ widget. Simply add your profile to their database and grab the widget code from your page on their site.

Well, Google+ is certainly here to stay, so you'd better jump on to the train right now.

So, What Is Google+..?

Google+ is far from perfect, for example, you can’t search posts on its site

"Today, the connections between people increasingly happen online. Yet the subtlety and substance of real-world interactions are lost in the rigidness of our online tools.

"In this basic, human way, online sharing is awkward. Even broken. And we aim to fix it."

Google+ Main Feed

The idea is to topple Facebook from its throne by making every existing Google product socially compatible. The company certainly has a lot to work with, including Picasa, Gmail and Google Maps and information and functions from all of these will be integrated into the Google+ experience so that you don't have to sign into different services to share your photos and let your mates know what you're up to.

You can add anyone into a circle, even though they are not Google+ users

Google wants to make sharing online more like sharing in real life - different things with different people. For example, you might want to catch up with your pals about your drunken Saturday night out, but you don't necessarily want your parents in your chat. You can keep your conversations separate by putting your contacts into 'circles' such as 'Work crew', 'Uni mates', 'Photo Buddies' and 'Parents'. You may create as many new circles that you wish.

To put your nearest and dearest in neat little online compartments all you have to do is click and drag them into the relevant circle and then they'll only get the information that is meant for them. If only real life were that simple.

100+ Tips To Improve Your Google+ Experience

1. You can get an invite by leaving a comment in this post.

Circles

Google+ Circles

1. You can add anyone into a circle, even though they are not Google+ users.
2. You can add up to 5000 people into a circle.
3. You can create as many circles as you like, and you can also add a same user into multiple circles.
4. One people in multiple circles counts one, and you can’t have more than 5000 people in all your circles.
5. You can remove or block anyone in your circles.
6. People in your circle do not have to add you in their circles.
7. You can add all your Gmail contacts into your circles.
8. You can export your Facebook friends to Yahoo Mail, and then import them to your Gmail.
9. To bookmark a post, you can create an empty circle, and share the post to it.

Extensions

1. Facebook Friend Exporter: To export your Facebook friends and add them to your Google+ circles.
2. Extended Share for Google Plus: To share your Google+ Public messages on Twitter and Facebook.
3. Replies and more for Google+: To reply to a post or its comments in one click.
4. Surplus: To get Google+ notifications everywhere.
5. Native Gmail For Google+: To display Gmail notifications in the Google+ top black bar and show you the titles of the new mails.
6. +Photo Zoom: To zoom photos on Google+.
7. Notification Count for Google Plus™: To check your Google+ notifications every one munite and show them on your browser’s toolbar.
8. +Comment Toggle: To hide the comments on Google+.
9. Color Plus: To change the color of the top black bar to green, pink or blue.
10. Helper For Google+: To share your Google+ posts on Twitter and to translate your posts.
11. G+ Count in Title: To add a notification count in the current page tab.
12. G+ Extended: To add more shortcuts.
13. GPlus Search: To search Google+ public stream posts.
14. Move Your Photos: To export your Facebook photos to Google’s Picasa.
15. Start G +: To show unread Gmail numbers and to sync with Twitter and Facebook.
16. Google+ Ultimate: To float the top black bar and to adjust the page design.
17. Share + Social Buttons: To share to Twitter、Facebook、LinkedIn and more.
18. Usability Boost for Google Plus™: To make Google+ look more sex.
19. Google+ Tweaks: To customize Google+ web design.
20. Google+Tweet: To update Twitter on Google+. (Workable for Chrome, Firefox and IE)
21. Google+Facebook: To update Facebook on Google+.(Workable for Chrome, Firefox and IE)
22. Google+ Safari extension: To show G+ notification counts in the toolbar.(Workable for Safari)

Except the last 3, all the other extensions are workable for Chrome only.

Scripts

1. Google plus reply+: To add reply buttons to Google+ posts as well as their comments.
2. Google+ Enhancer: To make the Google top black bar display notifications for Gmail, Reader and Calendar, no matter what Google-website you’re on.
3. Hide G+ notification box in all Google sites except Google+: To show the notification button on the Google+ site only.
4. Gplus_fixed_panel: To make the Google+ top black bar float on the top of the page when you scroll down or up.
5. Fixed Google+ Notification Bar (for Google Plus & Google Search): To make the Google+ notification bar float on Google+ and Google Search.

1. Google + Commander: To use hotkey to play with Google+.
2. Google+ -> Contrast, Denser, More Features: To change the design of the Google+ site.
3. Google+ : Facebook: To make the Google+ site look like Facebook.
4. Google+ Tweaks: Same as the Chrome extension of the same name.

+1

(You can add "+1" buttons in the browsers with the following extensions or bookmarklets:)

1. +1 Plus One Extension(Chrome extension)
2. +1 Button – Plus One Button(Chrome extension)
3. Plus One(+1)Button(Chrome extension)
4. Google +1 Button Extension (Firefox add-on)
5. The Google Plus One Bookmarklet(Bookmarklet)

Posts

Google+ Photos

1. You can add photos, videos or webpages to your posts by dragging their links directly to the share box.
2. You can drag photos into the share box.
3. For your Google+ photos, you can tag them, rotate them, select effects for them, etc.
4. You can upload multiple photos and videos at a time.
5. You can click on the “Limited” link to see who else can see the post.
6. You can reshare the posts on Google+, unless the authors disable that.
7. You can reply to or mention Google+ users by adding "+" or "@" in front of their names in the message.
8. You can send private messages to people by only sharing your post with them.
9. Clicking the timestamp on a post, you can see its permalink.
10. Clicking the "+1" button on a post to like it, clicking again to undo.
11. You can click the Google+ photos to enlarge them, to view their comments, and to add comments.
12. You can edit or even delete the posts you published, you can forbid others to comment on your posts, you can mute the posts that are boring, and you can also prevent people from sharing your post.

Hot Keys

1. Space or J = scroll down
2. Shift + Space or K = scroll up
3. J = move to next post
4. K = move to previous post
5. Q = jump to chat
6. Return = start comment
7. Tab + Return = end your comment
8. Tab + Tab + Return = cancel writing a comment

Text

1. *Word* = Word
2. _Word_ = Word
3. -Word- = Word
4. _*Word*_ = Word

Websites:

1. PlusFeed: To subscribe to any Google+ user’s public stream.
2. GPlus: To get a shortened URL of your Google+ profile page.
3. Google Plus Widget: To add a Google+ widget on your blog or website for people to follow you.
4. SocialStatistics.com: To find out the top 100 most popular Google+ users.
5. GPhangouts: To share your hangout or to view others’ hangouts.
6. Gplus.sagg.im: To sync Google+ to Twitter、Facebook & Identi.ca.
7. You can make a Google+ desktop app according to Mashable’s instructions.
8. You can upload iPhone photos to Google+ according to Mashable’s way.
9. You can finish this form and get Google+ API notification once available.
10. You can export and back up your +1 sites with Google Takeout.

Mobile Phones:

1. You can use Google+ in mobile phone browsers, but can’t add photos or videos.
2. There is an official Google+ app for Android.
3. There is an official Google+ app for iPhone.
4. You can upload videos and pictures from your Android app to Google+, but not the iPhone app yet.
5. You can post to Google+ in your iPhone using the app DoAT.
6. You can send Huddle messages to a group with the Google+ mobile app.

Other features:

1. You can invite anyone with an email address (except Google APP’s) to join Google+.
2. You can create a search engine in Chrome to search the posts on Google+ with the following URL:

{google:baseURL}search?q=site:plus.google.com inurl:posts/* %s

1. You can create a search engine in Chrome to search Google+ profiles with the following URL:

{google:baseURL}search?q=%s&tbs=prfl:e

1. You can video-chat with up to 10 people at a time via the Hangout function.
2. You can add and track your interesting news in the Sparks page.
3. You can play with GTalk and chat with your friends in the Google+ site.
4. You can resize chat window in Google+ by dragging it from corners.
5. Don’t run Google+ ads on Facebook, which may ban you.
6. You can’t use Google+ if you are under 13.

Settings

1. You can choose what kinds of notifications to receive by email.
2. You can show photo geo location information in newly uploaded albums and photos.
3. You can select your favorite language.
4. You can back up your photos, profile information, contacts, circles, stream posts, and Buzz posts to your computer from the Data liberation page.
5. You can choose who can send you an email and what personal information to display on the Profile and privacy settings page.
6. On the Account overview page, you can delete your Google+ account.

By the way, Google+ is far from perfect, for example, you can’t search posts on its site, you can’t filter the posts you +1ed, the check-in service sucks, etc., so there will be more and more tips in the future, especially when the Google+ API is released.

As the iPhone photo-sharing application Instagram continues it's rapid rise, more and more people are taking notice -- including some serious photographers.

Today, Silicon valley startup Keepsy announces the first curated online "gallery" of Instagram photo albums.

It's a revolution in photography.

"We've heard people describe Instagram as 'Twitter for photos' but that is really doesn't do the application justice. It is so much more than that," said co-founder Blake Williams. "We've been closely watching the photos coming through our system and the quality is often stunning. Our aim is to create and curate a space that showcases this creative potential for mobile photography."

The list for the first installation is impressive, including Instagram heavy-weights such Richard Koci Hernandez, Carli Kiene, Kristen Rodriguez (@koci, @inkedfingers, and @poeticaesthetic) as well as many other top Instagram users, representing over 10 countries.

Williams points out, however, the photographers in the gallery come from all walks of life -- including not just artists and graphic designers, but students and homemakers as well. "The level playing-field that Instagram supports is truly one of its great features," said Williams, "Your photo feed is as equally accessible as anyone else's." One such newcomer to mobile photography is Christina Noerdam Andersen of Copenhagen, Denmark.

"When I signed up for Instagram last autumn I had no idea that it would change my life. Before Instagram I had no idea that I even had a creative bone in my body and the past year has been an eye opening personal journey. And I do not want it to stop. I find the world a much more interesting place seen through my tiny iPhone lens and enjoy finding the subtle beauty in everyday life," said Andersen.

Another ambition of the gallery is to share some of the life story behind each photographer by giving each artist their own profile page. Some, such as Koji Yokoyama of Tokyo, Japan, relate poignant and heartfelt personal episodes in which the Instagram community played an integral part in their lives.

"I started using Instagram a while back when Japan was hit with the earthquake in March and everyone was very fearful and uneasy. At that time I took a peek at the Instagram popular feed and saw a photo of the Japanese national flag and the words "Pray for Japan". Seeing this, I remember feeling deeply moved and at peace. I felt happiness knowing the world was tied together as one. At that time, more than words, I truly felt the magnificence of 'Photo Communication,'" said Yokoyama.

Gallery visitors can view some of each photographer's most popular photos, as well as purchase photo books of each artist's work. Keepsy shares the revenue of each album sold with the photographer.

"This is just the beginning," said Williams. "It's a revolution in photography."

The gallery is a permanent feature of the site, and can be viewed at:
http://www.keepsy.com/gallery

The site is also accepting nominations for additional photographer entries to the gallery on the site – so go ahead and nominate me! (CannonballX on IG).

I was reading about the new WordPress partial update feature and stumbled upon this article on TheNextWeb.com, I quote:

Image via CrunchBase

WordPress.org introduced a new delta updates system in WordPress 3.2 that downloads only files that have changed when updates are released, and with the release of 3.2.1 it has saved WordPress around 1 terabyte in bandwidth according to WPCandy.

As the code necessary for the partial updates was one of the new features in WordPress 3.2 (released earlier this month) it’s only now we’re hearing word of the impact it has had on WordPress.org’s costs.

The system is similar to that introduced in iOS 5, where new updates to the operating system include only changes — reducing the size of the download from between 600 and 700 megabytes to between 100 and 200 megabytes.

This system saves time for the user and bandwidth costs for the software developer. While the time-saving benefits are less applicable as WordPress updates take only seconds, saving a terabyte in bandwidth costs is a significant improvement.

I really like the way the WordPress team approached the updating process. Now only the relevant files are being updated and that saves both time and bandwidth.

Even if you have Facebook turned off in the Instagram app, your photo will still upload to Facebook.

To set up this free service, visit the instafb website and sync your Facebook account with your Instagram account. Then, instafb will automatically import all the Instagram photos that are currently in your Facebook profile.

Image via CrunchBase

The next time you visit Facebook, you should see the album you set up for your photos. From now on, all your Instagram photos will be uploaded into this album. You can tag the photos, edit the captions or make changes, just like your other photos and albums.

This is a nice way to manage Instagram photos. However, there are a couple of drawbacks. The album will only hold 50 of your photos, so if you are an Instagram nut, you may have to continually clear some out.

Also, even if you have Facebook turned off in the Instagram app, your photo will still upload to Facebook. If you decide to use this service, make sure you are willing to put all of your Instagram photos on Facebook.

Another way to put your Instagram photos into an album is to manually upload the photo directly from your camera roll. This is done within the Facebook app or the browser.  However instafb will automatically put your Instagram shots into the designated folder, which saves a couple of steps.

Overall, instafb is a step up from how Instagram interfaces with Facebook. With a couple of tweaks, this service could be a nice add-on to the Instagram app.

Currently, the creators of instafb are also working on a Google+ application, so all you early adopters to this new social media service will be in luck soon!

Writing guest posts is a good way to reach out to new readers, and to potentially get experience of writing for a bigger audience.  I’m opening this up to all readers, so you don’t have to be a successful blogger to participate.  You might not even have your own blog; you just fancy submitting a post or two and seeing your name on the web.

If you’re a blogger or website owner, this is a perfect opportunity to reach a new audience. I'm especialy looking for guest posts on WordPress, iPhone, Instagram, New and Social Media, Photography and Hosting.

The Requirements:

• Must be an original article, published only on WP-magazine.se
• Article can not be overly promotional and must provide value to WP-Magazine.se readers.
• Each article must be at least 300+ words.
• I reserve the right to accept or refuse any articles and make any edits before publishing.

If you’re interested in submitting a guest post, then please contact me via the Contact Page.

Says Sarah Goodnig over at WPMU.org:

They have added BuddyPress support to the Xi theme, which runs on HTML5 and CSS3 and is built to respond to your browser’s size and capabilities.

Interesting indeed.

Here's a screenshot of the the Xi theme:

Check out a demo of the Xi theme with BuddyPress. You can resize your browser to simulate how your site should respond for various devices.

Tim Hyde, the creator of the Xi theme, has kindly offered WPMU.org readers a discount if you purchase this month. Use discount code WPMUDISCOUNTJULY11 at checkout you will get the theme for $35 instead of $50. The code will be valid until end of August. Grab your copy and let the folks over at WPMU.org know what you think.

Best ever Tilt Shift feature I have seen

The main interface is easy to understand and you have all important features just one tap away. The app also feels a lot more stable now and uploading is faster. In one sentence; the new StreamZoo is one excellent app.

Adding filters (and other effects) to your pictures is a breeze. The filters are of good quality and really enhances your images (as opposed to destroying them as the case is with many other apps), the border effects are cool and the Tilt Shift feature the best there is – and I have tried 99% of them all.

I think that the StreamZoo developers have taken this app, not one, but several giant leaps ahead.

If you did not have the opportunity to try StreamZoo before, now is the time. You will love the experience.

The StreamZoo website is here.

It's easy to get started. Just login using your Instagram credentials and then choose your export destination. Unfortunately the Social Media feature has not yet been implemented but you still can download a zip-file containing all (or as many you like) of your pictures to your harddisk for safe-keeping.

The export process itself takes a little while (depending on how many images you chose to backup – I wanted a backup of all my 2500+ images just to test the service out) and you are being prompted to come back later to retrieve your zipped file.

The process of exporting my 2500+ images to a downloadable zipped file took about 7 minutes – not bad at all. I downloaded and unzipped the file and the pictures looked just great. Oh yes, the file-size was 158 MB – so you'd better be on a good stable connection before attempting to export thousands of images.

I really can recommend the Instaport service – go try it out today!

Here's the link to the Instaport website.