That’s right. I said “new groove.” I thought it’d at least be a catchy post title.
So, what’s this all about?
The Options WordPress theme is almost out of beta. I’ve foregone some of the planned smaller releases and am jumping ahead to the official release this week.
With over 6,000 downloads of the beta version, I’ve gotten quite a lot of feedback from users about what works, what doesn’t, and what the theme needs. The forums have been buzzing lately, and I want to thank everyone that’s helped out thus far.
A new stylesheet
Yes, the new version will come with an extra stylesheet. Just click on the image below to see it in full view. It’s not quite finished yet, but I thought I’d get a little feedback on it and have you help me decide on a name. All I’ve got right now is “Soothing” or “Soothing Blue.”
New administration options
I’ve been completely reworking a lot of the things that go on behind the scenes with this theme. I finally learned how to work with widget controls, which will give users a much easier interface to work with. I’ve also solved some of the category tab issues by just putting together drop-down lists of the user’s categories to choose from.
Check out some of the new admin things by clicking on the image below. The widgets might look a little different in the image because I’m running on WordPress 2.5 on my local copy of the theme.
New features
There are many features that’ll be in this update. I’m sure you noticed some with the admin and widgets screenshot. My main goal with this project has been to take the coding out of the user’s hands, and that’s what I’m working toward. Here are some of the things you can expect:
- Config file
For those of you that like to tinker with code and change things up a bit, I’ve put together a file that controls all the other files. You won’t have to touch the other code. Just open this file and edit it easily. This will also make updates easier because you won’t have to worry with correcting things that have been changed. - Features gallery
The features gallery has definitely been updated. It now works completely with all browsers, including IE. I think you’ll find its update much better than the one out now. - Widgets
You’ll have easier control over displaying ads, your tabs (which now include more options), and other things. - Stylesheets
You can now upload new stylesheet folders, and they will be automatically added to the list of available styles. This will make upgrading to new stylesheets easier. It’ll also allow me to release stylesheets without updating the entire theme. - Gravatars
I’m adding Gravatar functionality in the next couple of days. So, it’ll definitely be part of this release.
Are you ready?
I’m looking forward to this release. I’ve been working on it every spare moment I could find since the initial release of the theme. I’m excited about it and look forward to another 600+ posts on the Options theme forum.
Let me know what you think. You still have a few days before the release of this thing to give me some feedback.
Can you give us a preview of a few styles?
Its looking good so far.
I’d like to see, either in a help file or readme or whatever, some screenshots of what the various “Home Sections” look like.
‘Features Gallery’, ‘Category Thumbnail Tabs’ these phrases are a little hard to understand without screenshots or a better visual description.
It looks terrific. I like the new style sheet and the admin interface.
I’ve been trying out several of your themes, each one builds on the last, they’re just great – you are really transforming Wordpress.
I’m loving the config file since I’m guilty of code-tinkering. It’ll be nice to have it all in one place instead of trying (and failing!) to remember all the code changes I’ve made to this current version.
And am I dreaming or do I really see a Random Quote option there? I’ve been using a quote plugin on my site for a while now and would be thrilled to have it integrated in the theme.
All in all Justin, the improvements are fantastic.
I’m really looking forward to this. Thanks Justin. I will do what I can to promote your work.
I have to say it, the new template looks great. I love it. I will put some color difference between the title/description section and the pages section. But that is just my opinion.
Probably is not very easy to implement, but I will suggest an option to exclude a category or tag from the usual list of post.
Maybe I’m not clear. It will be great if the post in the feature section, does not appear in the others sections (Category blocks, excerpts,etc). If the last post is a feature one, and is in some sections, will appear repeated many times.
I can wait to use that theme!!!
Amazing work Justin
Anto
You can view the original Dark style on the current live demo. There’s also the link to the newest style above.
Bryan
It’s a work in progress right now. I kind of held back a bit with some of the documentation for the beta release because I wasn’t sure which direction I was taking some things. I’ll definitely update it when I release this though. You can read about some of the things in the documentation now.
Schamess
Thanks. I hope to update some of the older ones at some point. I especially have big plans for the Structure theme once things settle down a bit with this theme.
Raimy
The reason there’s the config file is because I’ve put together a sort of “super loop,” which processes any variables for the loop. So, “single.php” has several different variables. You’ll be able to input commands like this (in any order) for each file that runs this loop:
Of course, there’ll be full instructions for what all this means for “code tinkerers.”
You are not dreaming about the random quotes. It’s actually not theme-specific though. I have a small collection of quotes and a script I still use in a couple of places on this site that I always wanted to make a plugin out of. I’ve been learning how to manipulate widget controls with it for practice. It’ll be released very soon, so you’ll be able to use it along with the theme. I’m also building in functionality to display different categories of quotes, any number, and a few other things.
Burke
Thanks. Please do promote my work.
Guilermo
I’m currently working on a solution for having posts repeated, but there’s a bit of problem with that right now. Since there are multiple loops and some run off very specific queries, it makes it hard to do this.
For example, let’s say you’ve created a new feature post while using the Feature Single home option. Below the Feature Single option, you’re using Category Thumbnail Tabs. The new feature post you’ve just written also goes into one of these categories.
If you decide not to duplicate the feature post, then you end up with no post because the Category Thumbnail Tabs option only queries for one post.
I could tell it to query for an extra post and only display one, but that’s about the only solution I have right now. It doesn’t seem like the best option though.
Can’t wait too…
Tadlock, you’re badass…that’s the bottom line.
Whoa, i can’t believe you have come out with the Gold version of Bets when on the other hand i am still exploring Options Beta.
Too good for me Justin.
Great work
A great theme. I am using it for my online literature magazine.
One humble thought … Given that this theme carries multiple styles … it would be great to give the user a choice to choose from lets say 2 or 3 themes … It could give the publisher a chace to cater to the visitors with slower internet connections to opt for a lighter and faster version of the site …
Just a thought
Once again … love this theme
I am considering to use this theme for one of the sites I administer. My only concern is how to re-educate the blog authors who may not be as tech or code savvy. But certainly looking forward to it.
Hallo, Justin,
your theme is fantastic (excuse my english, I am Italian…)
I put it in my new blog in english language, for my partner in New York… But many things don’t work… I hope in new release… When can you publish that?
I don’t arrive to have correct visualization of video with custom fields… (video tabbed), the features gallery dont’works… but I try to start this theme, it’s realy nice… terrific.
Tank you for your effort and your support!
Ines
Yes, not have repeated post is a little tricky. I was thinking, what about use, for example, a tag to select what post is a feature one? So you can exclude all post with that tag from all sections but the feature ones. Then, in your Category Thumbnail Tab you can do something like “select xxx from xxx where category=xxxx and tags!=’feature’”. Je, yes, I know that is not correct, I don’t know how to ask in wordpress is a certain post have a certain tag.
That not involve too much extra work to mantain at all, and anyway, it could be an optional behaviour.
Well, I don’t know if I was very clear, my english is far from perfect.
I espect I’m not adding extra difficulties too you.
Thanks for your attention.
I am planning to use this one as well, already started but figured I’d wait for the new release, hopefully that happens soon and fixes some of the problems I’ve been having with the current. Keep up the good work!
Tan The Man
Just a few more days…
CodeRed
It’s been a while since anyone’s called me Tadlock. It brings back memories of the good ol’ days playing high school football. My coach always called me by my last name, so it kind of stuck for a while.
sdfaheem
I wanted to go ahead and prepare the theme for future updates. The beta version’s files are a bit messy, so I wanted to go ahead and get the change in. Plus, I’ve seriously wanted to release a new style. I’m a bit tired of seeing all the Dark styles everywhere.
Amir
I think publishers that have a lot of users with slow Internet connections should opt for some of the options that use less visuals and JavaScript because these things are only loaded if the user chooses to do so. There are quite a few “lighter” options with this theme.
Ines Angelino
The new release is coming sometime later this week. Definitely by the end of the weekend. Don’t hold me too that if something goes wrong though.
Everything works with the beta version; it’s just some things are a little harder to control than what they should be. If you’re having problems, you can stop by the forums. There are plenty of people helping out there.
Guillermo
Not repeating posts is generally a little easier if we simply had one feature article and just the most recent articles following. I’m trying to get something working before this release. If I don’t, it’ll be the first thing on my list of things to do for the next update.
Excluding posts with a certain tag would have to be a user-defined option because it would exclude all posts from that tag or category. I’ll see if I can add the option to exclude before the release.
devnl
If you’re not currently using the beta version, then I say just wait for this release. A few bugs have been fixed and the code is much easier to maintain, so updating for minor glitches, new options, and stylesheets will be easier.
wow, this is going to be a great theme. I look forward to the full release! the new admin looks a lot better.
The looks is awesome justin..
Did option reloaded support a tab to separate comment list and pinglist? I thought it can make the comment section becomes more readable
It will be only for WP 2.5 ?
m
I think this release will allow for a lot more options in the future, which is what I’m working toward. I want users to just be able to “plug-n-play” with this theme. So, this release is a lot more about taking the code out of their hands.
I like the widget options. WordPress 2.5 also has a much better widget admin panel too, which is some of what you see in the admin screenshot.
Hning
This release won’t have that option. It’s more about making things simpler for the user and cleaning a few things up. You can always put in a request for it on the forums, and I’ll see if I can get to it sometime. There’s a thread running over there where users tell me what they want to see in future releases.
Mid
This theme is for WordPress 2.3+ as mentioned on the theme’s download page. I imagine it’ll stay that way for quite some time. I think there are going to be a few extra functions that I’d like to use from 2.5, but we’ll have to wait and see on those.
hey justin… you are a genious. have someone said that to you before?? genious! lol great theme, great css style! looking foward for more css releases
Wow.. what a fantastic & beautiful great Option theme! Justin, you created the greatest WordPress themes ever and i really(really) appreciate you for them. And i wish , i’d like to create WP themes like you. If you don’t mind i’d like to request you one more things, it’s about to share the secrets of creation great magazine style WP themes! I think its will really helpful and useful for beginners like me.
Always 5 Stars for you!
Regards,
Hugo Santos
I try to tell myself the same thing several times throughout the day.
MhawSayar
Thanks for the compliments.
About creating magazine-styled themes — I want to first say that this is not a magazine theme. It’s a theme that let’s your blog be anything you want it to be.
Next, how do I create these things? Start learning the basics — XHTML, CSS, and PHP. Work hard. Put together a few crappy designs and release them to the public. Work hard. Continue learning the basics. Repeat.
There’s no secret.
Hi Justin, I was visiting your site daily waiting for updates to come over the Beta release.
I loved the preview of the upcoming release, I was searching for WP random quotes plugin, however I couldn’t find it, this theme looks as it has built in one.
In the previous “Options Theme” release, I wrote down CSS and copied it in one of the Custom CSS folders, like this example preview which is not complete yet, I was waiting for the new release to complete it and Because the upcoming release will have the option to upload even more Stylesheets, I may give a name with my own CSS. Even the users can share their own CSS files to make “OPTIONS THEME” even better.
Justin, your work really inspires me to dare to make more things, though I have two times more spare time, I’m real lazy. Thanx your works inspire, advice and activate me…
I plan to upgrade to WP 2.5 then modify the options theme to suit my site. I think that’ll make me a repeat customer of sorts. Well done! It’s been a few days… the full release should be out anytime.
I can’t wait for this, actually I am waiting for this
Wow like this one better… may be i like it cuz of blue n white… great work… am trying to start my blog soon – modifying structure theme…THANKS A LOT FOR ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL THEMES
Justin you are the best, i project to make a site with your options theme in France and downloaded the beta last week, but i’ve seen that the release soon come out so i will wait.
Thanks again for your great job and support and all free.
ArthurGogol
Nice theme its great that you haven all the features in the theme.thats way we want.
Maybe also a popup screen voor video?
Hi Justin…. in the past I have tended to use Joomla for my CMS websites, but I have always liked the simplicity of Wordpress and the plethora of plugins available. As I tend to create niche sites, the usual blog themes are not particularly appropriate so I have tended towards the non-blog style themes such as Mimbo. However, I must say that your Options theme is the best “non-blog” theme that I have seen – bar-none… well done and keep up the great work!
I also recommend that you set up a website for your premium themes along the lines of Joomlart, which I already belong to and can highly recommend.
This is a beauty. Really well thought out.
Name idea – Blue Danube – not sure if that’s been used. Will try to think of others.
I’ve stalled development on my new site until this is done.
Speaking of options, have you considered an options page in the backend for color selection and the like?
m
Well, thus far, I don’t see anything broken with 2.5 and Options, so everything should work great. I’ve been running it locally.
rebel
I need to hurry up and get it done then!
Dhaval
I like the change of the colors too. I’ve always wanted to do a dark layout that looks decent. That’s why I started with the Dark stylesheet.
arthurgogol
It’s almost finished. I’ve just got to clean up some files at this point and do the final testing.
Rick Hollander
We’ll see about adding new features in future releases. There’s actually a thread running on this at the moment in the forums if you want to go throw your 2 cents in.
John Scott
I’m seriously considering something like Joomlart. Thanks for mentioning it. It looks great. Most of the Joomla stuff I’ve seen has been Rocket Theme.
Barbara
Blue Danube?
“A river of south-central Europe rising in southwest Germany and flowing about 2,848 km (1,770 mi) southeast through Austria, Hungary, Serbia, and Romania to the Black Sea. It has been a major trade route since the Middle Ages.”
It’s definitely interesting. You’re actually the first person to give a name suggestion, so thanks.
Tapeleg
I considered a color selection for the backend but think it would defeat the purpose of releasing new styles for the theme. So, I don’t think this will be an option that’s added in the future. This might be something for a different theme project though. Plus, I’m trying to stay away from making the theme too bloated.
Hi Justin…. would it be possible at this late stage to include a “list” option for video with a thumbnails similar to that used on http://www.news.com.au/ in their video module half-way down their home page?
I have played around with and used Rocket Theme templates but I found the Joomlart templates to be superior in all aspects, and that equates with your premium themes – superior in all aspects n’est pas?
John Scott
This release is mostly about cleaning some stuff up, fixing some major errors, and making things a bit easier. So, right now, I’m trying not to add too many extra features.
However, the plan for future releases is to continue building different modules or sections to go along with the theme.
That particular video section looks more suited to my Structure theme, which uses more of a 3-column approach and will be getting a major update in the coming weeks. Maybe something similar could be implemented for the Options theme because I do plan on adding new video options.
Justin, it seems a plugin has eaten up my comments, coz I comment but cannot see my comments here…
Anyways, I cannot wait Options new release… May be it’s something big in WordPress world…
J Mehmett
It seems you got caught up in Akismet’s wrath!
Sorry about that.
To answer your question about the random quotes plugin — it won’t be built into the theme. However, I do plan on releasing it sometime in the near future as a standalone plugin.
Your CSS file looks good. I am actually implementing a way to upload new stylesheets without changing any functions. Just drop them into the styles folder. I’ve still got to test this a bit though.
Justin, I ask you to pay attention for this plugin. Becouse of Options theme have 3 different column for widgets, some people (i think not only I) wish to have a dublicate of some widgets (NGG, Ajax-login, etc.) that must be on the all pages.
Justin,
I’m a huge fan of the Option theme. It’s beautiful and very very well developed. I can’t wait for the new version to come out, it looks like it’s going to be incredible.
War Eagle!
I’m actually going to be starting a new blog based on the options theme once it comes out. Since it’s new, should I just go ahead and install WP 2.5 while I’m waiting for the completed options theme to come out?
Hi,Justin
I really like your thema, but there is one question.
Most of visitors come frome the single post by google, not top page. Making single post satisfactory is very important to attract new visitor.
Options has very nice top page, I also want to customise single post like top, for example, to put customised area(advertisement,custom field,etc) between post and author on single post.
Of course user can edit single.php but some difficulties for beginner.(sidebar is OK)
I wish you create the control panel like “options thema settings” for single post, or guidance to customise layout single post, especially the left side(browse,post,author..)
how can I insert new area ?
I have no idea..
brainsolid
One thing that’s slowed down the release of this version is that I’m making many of the widgets “multi-widgets.” So, you can reuse them multiple times.
Joey Bacon
I can’t wait to get this version out. It’ll be very soon.
joshmv
I answered your questions on my latest post, so go check that out.
Marie Yuzuki
More single post and archive/category page options are at the top of my priority list for the next major release after Version 1.1.
Right now, I’m just trying to refine the system. I’ll try to give some style instructions at some point on how to customize the layout a bit, like moving things to the left side of the post. I just wanted to get the official release out before setting some of these things in stone, such as class and ID names.
I want things to be easily customizable through CSS, so both users and I can create new styles for it.
You are the Man !! Looks pretty good…
More name ideas;
Blue Velvet (or something else that represents “soothing”)
Blue Silk
Got the Blues?
I’m interested in Guillermo’s comment about not repeating posts. If your intention is to use the theme as a news magazine, it would be useful to have tabbed sections to use for other purposes. Or maybe you already can…
Sucharith Menon
Thanks. I hope to release it pretty soon.
Barbara
Though I haven’t officially announced it, I think I’m going with Blue Danube. It’s kind of caught on, at least for me. I want to give a credit link back to you for the name, but I don’t know your website URL.
The repeating posts thing is tricky. It’s easy to do if you only have one feature post, then a list of full posts or excerpts by just skipping the feature article. The problem with doing it with this theme is that most sections run off very specific queries. So, if we use the “do not duplicate” variable that one would normally use, the post would be skipped, but another post wouldn’t be there to take its place.
You’ll be able to use the tabs/sections/blocks for categories, tags, or authors this time around. The only thing I haven’t done is make it where you can use multiple uses of these things without using the same categories, tags, or authors. That’ll have to be for the next release or so.
I do want to stress, as I have many times before, that this isn’t exactly a news/magazine theme. It’s a multi-purpose theme. Average Joe could use it on his blog without using any of the extra features. My goal is to continue focusing on that.
With all that said, there’ll be a lot more options for users with a config file to change some things up. I think you’ll like the new release.
Justin,
I’m thrilled to have contributed something to your work. I’m still off-line – if I ever get this baby on-line, I’d love the nod (will let you know when it happens!)
I’m sure I will like the final product. Again, your design and attention to everyone’s concerns are much appreciated.
Hi, Justin
Thank you for reply very much. You are so kind
Now I understand how to edit single.php to arrange style and put new area on the left side single post by your latest post.
Understanding story of your theme is so intersting like mental gymnastics.
It’s struggle, but a thrill of joy
Barbara
Just let me know when you get the site up. I’ll throw a credit link back your way. Maybe help drive a little traffic to your site.
Marie Yuzuki
No problem. Just stop by the forums and add your input on future features and things you’d like to see changed or updated.
Some of the stuff, like moving things to the left of the post, can be done through CSS. There’s no need to edit
single.phpI think I’m going to wait for this version before I upgrade from my old one… Looking forward to it!
semjaza
This version has been released already.
Accidentally mistyped my email.
a sample of what am getting if i use it is on this site
http://www.getawayhookups.com
il leave it hopefully you will be able to assist me in what
am doing wrong.
The intentions is to install it in http://www.blackmedley.com
let me know.
Thanks for the theme.
I want to use your blog theme features. I can not plug in your theme. can you help me to use your features.
my domain. http://www.shekosh.com
thank you
Black Medley
Feel free to stop by the forums if you need help.
bisharo dool
Stop by the forums if you need help.