New WordPress stuff to look forward to
I’ve been hard at work these past couple of weeks putting together several new WordPress goodies for everyone. I’m pretty excited about some of the results I’m getting with the work I’ve been doing. Here are some things to look forward to this month:
- Unveiling of a new super image script.
- Structure theme update.
- Options theme update.
- Random quotes plugin.
- Project M.
New image script
I wanted to write about this first because it ties into both of my theme updates.
Traditionally, magazine- or CMS-type blog designs require you to enter image URLs through custom fields. Many users find this difficult or time consuming (I don’t personally think it’s too time consuming, but I’ve probably used custom fields a few thousand times for this).
With this new script, you’ll never have to use custom fields for your thumbnails, feature images, and so on. However, it’s fully compatible with the custom field keys you define.
With one line of code in your theme template files, you’ll have this power at your disposal.
Basically, the code checks to see if you have any custom fields with images defined. If not, it pulls the first image from any images attached to the post. There’ll be more about this in the days to come.
I’ll probably write a full post on this sometime soon and offer it for download. Options and Structure theme users will have this packaged in with their theme.
Structure theme update
It’s long overdue, but I’m finally updating this thing. This is still my most popular theme, and quite a few users have been looking forward to an update. So, I’ll have the update ready within the next couple of days. Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Some Options theme “options” and widgets ported over.
- Rethinking of the way we use widgets in WordPress themes.
- Optimized code.
- Plays nicer with other plugins.
- Use of the new image script mentioned earlier in this post.
- Gravatar-ready.
- Fully WordPress 2.5 compatible.
- Print stylesheet.
Structure is still my favorite theme because it was the first time I felt I had created a masterpiece with theme development. I’ve put a lot of love and care into this update.
Options theme update
I’m always working on this theme, almost every day. I’ve been listening to users and seeing how they use the theme. Here’s a list of some new features of the update:
- Theme template files look like “normal” WordPress themes, so you’ll be able to easily edit them.
- Inclusion of the new image script mentioned earlier in this post, which will make uploading images so much sweeter.
- Works a lot nicer with plugins, especially those using JavaScript.
- Using the new WordPress gallery feature, I’ve implemented a Flickr RSS plugin-like stream of your latest gallery post.
- Category cloud (like the tag cloud).
- Author cloud.
- New sidebar tabs options.
- New options for the Recent widget.
- Print stylesheet.
- And more…
You won’t be disappointed with this upate (for WP 2.5+ users). At last count, I’ve cut out approximately 332 lines of code and 24 useless functions, making the theme faster and and easier to use.
Random quotes plugin
I’ve had about 90% of this plugin finished for weeks now. I just haven’t gotten around to completing it because of all the other work I’ve been doing.
It’ll come with some really nice options, such as the ability to customize how each quote is output and show quotes from different categories/topics.
If you feel like contributing quotes, I’ll be happy to add them and add a link back to you as a contributor. Right now, I have 6 categories of quotes, which are literature, film, individual, art, life, and friendship.
If you really want to help out with this, you can send over a text file with the quotes ready for the plugin by wrapping them in this code:
$quotes[] = array("This is a quote.","Author Name");
$quotes[] = array("This is a quote.","Author Name");
$quotes[] = array("This is a quote.","Author Name");Or, you can just send me any quotes you’d like to see added.
Project M
Some of you may recall in both a January and December post I mentioned Project M.
Originally, the M stood for March. Well, I didn’t quite get around to that. Since it’s still May and there are no other months that begin with M left this year, I’ll have to unveil Project M this month.
Without giving away too many details, here are some things involved with this project.
- More free WordPress themes.
Okay, that’s only one thing, but it sounds good, right?
Basically, it will be my step into monetizing WordPress while giving users the same things I’ve always given with full support.
Don’t ask me how I’ll monetize this thing. However, feel free to make guesses and discuss in the comments. I’ll unveil this project as soon as I finish the aforementioned projects.
That’s a lot of stuff
Yes, I’ve been quite busy, which is why you haven’t seen a lot of new WordPress themes lately. They’ll be coming very soon.
Feel free to comment on any of the projects and share your ideas.
There are also idea threads running in the forums for the Options theme and Structure theme. So, if you have ideas, now’s the time to let me know.
Hi Justin, I love your structure theme so I am very happy to hear that the update is only days away. As you are working on an image script, I was wondering if it would be at all possible to include a “caption” custom field (positioned underneath the image)?
Regards, John
Very much looking forward to your updates, JT! You do some amazing work here, thanks for all your dedication.
The image script is particular sounds awesome. I’ve been using a WP plugin called ‘image extractor’ so far, but it has several problems (most importantly it won’t crop large images correctly). Check it out here if you’re interested.
Amazing news Justin! I cant wait to use the new options theme. The image upload script sounds great, and the gallery is a nice inclusion too.
Thanks!
John
It’s definitely possible to do this. I won’t be adding captions with the script itself, but if you stop by the forums, I can help you put this together. It’s actually pretty simple. The hard part is getting the CSS correct.
Bryan
That image extractor looks like it does quite a bit more than we need. There’s a 49kb PHP file in the download. The file I’m working with is less than 6kb and takes advantage of WordPress’ built-in image sizes (full, medium, thumbnail).
My script won’t crop your images, but I don’t see a need for that considering WordPress does that for you.
guillofar
My favorite new thing is the gallery section. I’m not a big Flickr user because I like to have control over my own content, so that feature was kind of born from that need and seeing how well the Flickr RSS plugin worked with the theme.
oh man, you are the coolest. These are the posts here I eagerly anticipate - waiting.., waiting…, some nice informative post…, waiting…, then blammo - the goods from JT. Woohoo! Looking forward to it all, Structure update especially. Project M, with the disclaimer of not having seen it, has my support as well. Here’s to your continued success and inspiration!
The same error in 1.1.2…
David
Thanks. I’m ready to go ahead and get these theme updates out of the way. They’ve been fun working on, but I’m ready to show off my ideas for Project M because I’ve got some new WordPress themes in the works for that.
The work I’m doing with Options and Structure will be carried over to that project, so it’s important I get the code down solid before I open it up to the public.
Mid
Please read Upgrading in the theme documentation.
If you’re still having problems, stop by the support forums.
Any of Your ideas - upgrading doesn’t work. When i delete old files, and upload new, i have the same errors.
I fixed it, but have still one problem - http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4247/clipboard02be4.jpg - screenshot
Mid
This isn’t the place for support questions. Please stop by the support forums for problems with the theme.
Two guesses:
Project M = a “premium” plugin/add-on that extends the capabilities of your free themes.
Project M = install and setup of complicated themes at a flat rate.
Hi Justin,
So glad to hear update of Options. Can I know where the changes (the removal of 332 lines of code and 24 functions took place), did you update the change log?
Justin - Waiting anxiously for the Structure update. I’m so glad I made the move a few months ago and I’m looking forward to the optimized code.
I’m starting from scratch a new blog with your theme option! I love photography and this theme is really perfect for me! I want to thank you for your work and for the updates coming! These seem awesome!
Ian
If that’s not the plan, then you’ve definitely given me some good ideas.
I will say that my complicated themes will be much easier to install with these updates. Maybe I should start making them even more complicated to take advantage of users.
J Mehmett
Most of the lines of code and functions I’ve removed are from the “app” folder. So, it’s mostly stuff users don’t typically touch.
I’ve cleaned up the template files now too. I’ve written a few extra functions to stick into them, which makes them pretty easy to edit. So, most of the config file options are gone in favor of allowing users the ability to easily customize their own template files.
Right now, the zipped file is 30kb smaller, yet there is much more packaged. I’m not sure how big the final release size will be, but it’s at 212kb.
Robert
It should be out tonight (my tonight in South Korea). I’ve added so much extra, so I wanted to do a bit more testing before releasing it publicly.
Anthony
Thanks. Look out for the update this week.