WordPress updates and stuff of interest
I think some of you have already noticed that I didn’t release the latest version of the Options theme by the end of the week.
Don’t fret. I’ve been hard at work. Really, really hard. Now, that should excuse me from releasing this thing, right?
When will I release it? Very soon.
My official plan is to have it out in two days. Basically, I’ve just got to do some stylesheet tweaking and testing. I could probably release it at this moment (aside from some stylesheet things that need updating) and be okay, but I’d rather hold it back a day or two to make sure everything is running smoothly.
I’ve been working very hard, so if I’ve missed any emails lately or forum support questions, I’ll try to get to you. I haven’t even checked my inbox in the last three days. My feed reader has 292 unread posts.
Look on the bright side — this way, I’ll squash a few more bugs before putting it in the hands of the users. That means less work for you all.
I figured I’d at least update you a little on the development.
Win an iTheme
Before I move on with the rest of the post, I’d like to add that a friend is holding a contest over at his website. If you haven’t checked it out yet, there’s still a little time to join in.
Ian Stewart has gotten his hands on seven themes from iThemes and is giving them away. Okay, not “giving.” You do have to work for a prize by answering a simple/not-so-simple question — “What should we look for in a WordPress default theme?”
I’m a few days late on posting this, and there’s still a day left. So, hurry over there and put in your opinion.
New config file for the Options theme
Since I haven’t released the theme, I’ll write about a few of the differences that you might see in the upcoming release. I think one of the more noticeable things other than the admin features I showed last time is a new config.php file. This file will let you control several elements of the theme without having to mess with the core files.
Let’s take a look at some sample code from this file:
/* Single Posts (single.php)
***********************************************************/
function op_single() {
$arr = array(
// Edit here
'default_img' => false,
'custom_fields_display' => true,
'custom_fields' => array('Video','Image','Feature Image','Thumbnail Large','Thumbnail'),
'author_box_display' => true,
'author_box_title' => __('About the Author','options'),
'navigation_links' => true,
'breadcrumb' => true,
'byline_display' => true,
'meta_display' => true,
// Stop editing
);
return $arr;
}There are several things you can edit here. Almost every file that displays something is controllable through this one config file. For example, you can turn off the breadcrumb menu for single posts by inputting this code.
'breadcrumb' => false,Or, you can set an image to display if you’re not using custom fields by setting this.
'default_img' => '/wp-content/uploads/example-image.jpg',Of course, this is all stuff that you never have to touch. I just wanted to give users that like to tinker some easier stuff to work with. Other than that, it’s totally useless.
There’s also a file named config-advanced.php. Can you guess what and who that’s for?
Version 1.1 for CSS masters
I’ve seen many different customizations of the theme thus far. Some much better than the original. Some others…well…
I wanted to go ahead and give those of you that like to do customizations a heads up on some of the changes because these are major CSS changes.
Here’s some of the classes and IDs that’ve changed.
#category-tabs
// Changed to:
#post-sections
#category-list-tabs
// Changed to:
#post-list-tabs
#category-thumbnail-tabs
// Changed to:
#post-thumbnail-tabs
#category-sections
// Changed to:
#post-sections
#category-blocks
// Changed to:
#post-blocks
img.feature
// Changed to:
img.feature-image
// Added for Gravatar functionality
#comments-template ol li img.avatarWhy so many major changes? Because I didn’t think far enough ahead. Plus, it’s better to change them early on. It’ll save a load of trouble in the long run.
The biggest thing you’ll notice is that category has been changed to post. This is because many of the previous features were category-controlled only. Some of them are now controlled by category, tag, or author. So, I’d rather not go on calling something Category Tabs if they can display posts in many different ways.
There’s also the Gravatar functionality, which is built into WordPress 2.5. Don’t worry though. It’s completely backwards-compatible with the Gravatar plugin for older WP versions and works for users that don’t use Gravatars at all.
Maybe this will help prepare some of you for the coming release.
Give me my theme already!
It’s coming. I want to work out a few things before the release though. Most of the work has been on the backend, but it’ll make controlling the theme much easier. It’ll also make updates run smoother.
This release is all about preparing for much greater “options” than what we have now. I want to be able to easily extend it with stylesheets and new goodies.
One cool feature I want to mention before going to bed is that users can now upload new stylesheets to their styles folder. This will make sharing styles much easier. So, anyone can just drop a new style in and switch it from the admin panel.
This is a much longer post than I had planned for, and I’ve got to get a few hours of sleep. I promise the theme will be released soon.
[...] Read it at the source [...]
Hey Justin, thanks a lot for the update!
I’m going to be installing this on a new blog, so I’m excited to see it released. In the meantime, should I install WP 2.5 on my server, or just the current stable version?
I went to the wordpress site and didn’t see version 2.5 out right now as the stable version.
I do have some experience with WP, but it’s been a while, so I just want to install the best version for this new “Options” theme.
Thanks again!
I’ll try.thanks
joshmv
Only install the latest stable version on your live site unless you’re looking for trouble.
If you’re running a local copy, feel free to try it out. I always update from the WordPress trunk every few days to see if I can catch problems early. The only major difference with using 2.5 is using the built-in Gravatar functionality. As mentioned, this is backwards-compatible anyway.
I do suggest using 2.5 when it’s released for the better widget panel. It’s much easier to play around with to me.
ahh, ok, thats exactly what I was looking for, thanks a lot.
I really appreciate all of your hard work on the theme, I hope to contribute my experience with it once I get it put up.
Keep up the good work Justin and don’t release until you’re happy with it. You’ll only regret it and probably have 300 more comments to wade through!
Can’t wait, you’re awesome.
i’ve been using your theme for a little while now. looking forward to the update. thanks for all your work!
I am desperately waitin for the updated theme and gonna test out all thye new features.
Justin, about feature gallery
It will be just cool, if you give an opportunity tj scroll articles in gallery (back/forward buttons) like in original script.
Hi Justin …. thanks for the update - I am so looking forward to the final release of your Options template and also Wordpress 2.5 (which may be around the same time).
Keep up the good work and I hope you didn’t work too hard over Easter.
lol. I was a beta adopter, and upon seeing this I have two thoughts:
(1) Way cool.
(2) There goes my weekend.
Looking forward to the new release. I’ll try my best to share any advice I might have for porting beta-changes over to the upgraded Options install.
Do whatever you need to do. I can wait an extra few days for a solid theme. Especially a free one. Thanks for the hard work.
Justin,
Hope you got some sleep. I am looking forward to the new release!
Thanks for posting about the contest!
Justin,
I am new to WordPress and really know very little about CSS or coding, etc. But I am looking forward to seeing the update and integrating it into my site. Thank you for the work that you are putting into the theme and the information you provide about its features.
Justin, you’re doing a great job.
I also think you should not refrain from asking for a small donation for your theme, it’s a killer!
Justin ,
I can wait, if necessary, but I am too impatient to see the work !!!
Merci beaucoup !!!
You have to come out with the new release soon, or else i’m gonna die!! I’m so excited.. Just like a little kid :p
Justin,
My fingers are itching to get started mangling..I mean using your new theme. I can’t wait any longer…..I’ve got someone here you know….You remember your invisible friend Timmy from when you were three? Timmy’s going to have problems walking if I don’t see a new theme release soon. I’ve emailed you his left ear….as motivation.
To everyone
The release is definitely, 100%, without a doubt (barring some major disaster), coming out today. I just have to run a few IE, Opera, and Safari tests before putting it up when I get home from work.
joshmv
Definitely contribute once you get it running. I could use all the help I can get.
Giacomo
You’re definitely right about 300 more comments. I’d rather get some of the kinks worked out because this is the version I want to continue building upon. If you’ve tinkered with the code, then you probably won’t even think it’s the same theme when you look through the files this time around. So, a lot has changed.
Tan The Man
Thanks.
Jen
I’m looking forward to finishing the update. I’ve got other projects I’ve got to work on.
TechieZone
I know. I’m moving as fast as I can. Looking forward to more support questions from you on the forums.
brainsolid
The back/foward buttons are working in the new version, so you can scroll through the articles.
John Scott
“Final release”? There’s nothing final about this. There’ll be plenty more updates, and I hope you continue getting them because I plan to continue adding new styles and features. This release is mostly about cleaning some stuff up.
wideaperture
My weekend too. There’ll probably be mass confusion on the forums about the two versions. I can definitely use your help with porting beta changes. Most of custom styles should work “out-of-the-box” aside from the changes mentioned in this post.
Tapeleg
It’s coming very, very soon. Thanks for the support.
Rebecca
I plan on sleeping sometime after I release this thing.
Joe
You’re welcome. The new stylesheet has a lot more comments and is structured in a way that will make it easier for users to base their own work upon.
stejoh
There’s a donation link on the theme’s page. Users, feel free to donate.
Dreamer
You won’t have to wait much longer.
Jokka
I hope you don’t die. That’s how I feel about each new release of WordPress.
HornyMelon
Poor Timmy.
AWESOME, I can’t wait, I’ll definitely post it up once I get it the way I like, I plan on doing some major design mods with it.
Re: mass confusion, a friendly suggestion - you might want to rename the existing Options forum “Options Beta”and start a new forum for the official release. If there are topics from the old forum that are still applicable, you can move them over as needed or blockquote appropriate text from them in new posts.
Josh Braun
It’s a good suggestion, but I don’t want to split up the forums. I like to keep it simple. I could potentially have users posting in the wrong forum if I split them up, which could be more chaos. Plus, wading through 180+ topics for applicable ones would drive me somewhere past insane.
I think I’m just going to post a big message at the top of the forums for a few days, letting people know that there are different versions.
Is it up yet?
HornyMelon
It’s up.