BNS Theme Add-Ins v0.2
Several updates and tweaks were made to this plugin based on recent readings and other ideas that came to mind. Here is the changelog for version 0.2:
* Released Oct 22, 2011
* Change $bns_textdomain to $bns_lower_case
* Remove `BNS Child-Theme TextDomain` and i18n (translation) support
* Add `BNS Plugin TextDomain` and i18n (translation) support specifically for ‘bns-theme-add-ins’
* Correct `textdomain` issues and re-work the `BNS Child-Theme TextDomain` into `BNS Plugin TextDomain`
* i18n improvements in ‘Readme Menu’ and ‘Changelog Menu’ as well as change CSS containers from `id` to `class`
* Change `BNS Child-Theme Version Control` to `BNS Theme Support`; added functionality to read and display a `support.txt` file similar to the `readme` and `changelog` menu items.
* Minor inline documentation edits
Also to note this entire update was done using a local installation (WampServer) as the primary test environment; the PhpStorm application as the primary IDE; and GitHub for version control.
I would have to say, doing the development across three PC’s was interesting but as I described my “new” workflow previously it was actually a lot easier to adapt to than I expected.
My next release will be the NoNa theme which is being developed under the same conditions; and with a few more tests it too should be ready for the public.
Enjoy!
Site Changes
I’ve been looking at the general layout of the site for the last little while thinking it needs some tidying up … and yes I see the irony in using the Desk Mess Mirrored theme and wanting to tidy things up.
I will mostly be working on the theme related pages. The plan is to make that whole section of the site more easily read and cleaner to look at. I am tempted to change to one of my more minimalist themes but Desk Mess Mirrored is my first and still a favorite for many people …
I would like to thank you in advance for your patience as I do some minor renovations. Please feel free to leave comments with any ideas, too.
Plugin: BNS Theme Add-Ins
This was an interesting week for coding. I really hadn’t planned to write a new plugin and get it released into the WordPress Extend repository, it just sort of worked out that way.
I started with the premise of putting into practice the ideas behind one of the core trac tickets I have submitted (#16395). This one deals with the Parent-Theme version and the “Template Version” a Child-Theme is created and maintained for.
The idea actually started from a post by Justin Tadlock at DevPress that follows very closely the idea I presented in the core trac ticket.
This brought about these add-ins:
- `BNS Extra Theme Headers`
- `BNS Child-Theme Version Control`
My involvement with the WordPress Theme Review Team and the idea of presenting the recommended documentation provided the ideas for the following items:
- `BNS Readme Menu Item`
- `BNS Changelog Menu Item`
This naturally led to the last Add-In function, as generally Child-Themes do not be default support internationalization:
- `BNS Child-Theme TextDomain` and i18n (translation) support
… and so we have a new plugin that covers these items and does not require editing to add a `textdomain`; or menu items; or even a Child-Theme version versus Parent-Theme version test.
As I think of more “generic” functionality, or suitable suggestions, I will update this plugin; in the meantime, please use the plugin and feel free to provide any constructive feedback.
As a closing remark and a bit more back-story, this code was first written to be called with an `include` statement; then re-written to be a mu-plugin; and, finally, as a general WordPress plugin.
I suspect there will be at least some code optimizations to be made; let me know what you think … and, enjoy!
Shades 1.7
When I started working on the update for Shades I was completely surprised by how long it had been since I actually released the last version … one (1) year, to the day!!
Remarkable, and also very unusual. Although I must say, as I use a Child-Theme of Shades on my personal website, there really did not seem to be a great deal that needed updating … well, the changelog will bare witness that was not the case.
Aside from the addition of some post-formats (aside, quote, and status) that I thought would lend themselves well to the theme the rest of the updates were based in code improvements that have been brought to light or realized over the last year, especially with my involvement with the WordPress Theme Review Team.
= Public =
- released September 11, 2011
- published September 13, 2011
= CODE Changes =
- added support for post formats: aside, quote, status
- added the `shades` loop template
- added theme page for support and a contextual-help readme
- NB: adding the loop template and support for post formats affected the following template files: archive, author, index, page, single
- added `shades_used_posted` function to provide a link to the single view of posts without titles
- updated `BNS_Dynamic_Copyright` function
- updated `BNS_Theme_Version` function
- updated WordPress Required Version to 3.1 to implement post-formats (NB: Theme may still function correctly down to version 3.0)
- removed featured image thumbnail from the single view
- removed direct IE6 support
- removed `show_avatar` function
- removed `shades_page_number` function
= CSS Changes =
- reduced vertical distance between posts by half
- modified style for tag elements; add bottom-right border to help define the post they are attached to
- set base font-size to 100%; updated most other font-sizes to use percentages creating an over-all easier to read text
- addressed image thumbnail sizes used by gallery shortcode to handle up to 10 columns
- changed ‘widgettitle’ to ‘widget-title’ (NB: not currently used by the theme)
= CODE & CSS Changes =
- updated menu code to better handle parent-child-grandchild etc. structures (NB: menu is no longer centered.)
- moved the “Comments” to be inline with the post title and made minor style changes
- changed #main-blog to #the-loop for more code clarity
I have really enjoyed the modifications I have made with the Child-Theme I use at EdwardCaissie.com and truly enjoy using the Shades theme for my own purposes. I hope others find it as useful and interesting. Enjoy the new Shades!
Ground Floor 1.8
The latest version of my Ground Floor theme for self-hosted WordPress installations went live in the Extend repository a couple of days ago.
The “common” functions I use in my themes that were updated with the last version of Desk Mess Mirrored were also updated in this theme. Some minor code modifications were made to other functions making them more theme specific.
The menu CSS (style) was re-written to better handle deeper structures. Please note, this may cause issues with older Child-Themes.
The Shelter Child-Theme is now scheduled to be updated in the very near future but may not be immediately available in the WordPress Extend repository until the powers-that-be give their approval to (officially) include Child-Themes.
Look for a future announcement regarding the release of Shelter and where to download the most current copy.
- released September 3, 2011
- general code clean-up
- modified bns-login function to gf-login
- modified drop-down menu styles and added rounded corners to menu elements
- add conditional to not display comment(s) if post is password protected
- update bns_dynamic_copyright function
- update bns_theme_version function
- modified the site title creation code
Also to note, the current update order for BuyNowShop Themes is:
- Shades
- Shelter
- Nona
If there is a specific issue in a theme not listed above, please let me know (via the Contact Us page, preferably) so I can add the item to the theme’s TO-DO list and address it accordingly. Thank you … and enjoy!
Keeping It Simple
I am a strong proponent of keeping things simple, especially with the Themes I develop and release to the WordPress Extend repository.
One things that is common amongst all of my themes is the lack of an options page. I believe that any functionality that requires an options page either can be managed by a plugin … or another theme. You could say this philosophy may be a gamble on my part but I do not think so.
If my end-users want to gamble, I imagine they could find a more appropriate place at an online casino playing poker than they will ever find using one of my themes.
Some end-users of my themes may really want that extra customization added via an options page, I choose not to create them for the repository versions of the themes. A theme, in my opinion, is all about the look and feel of a web site … let a plugin do the heavy lifting of changing a web site’s functionality.
Although I am always willing to listen to suggestions and requests for added features, an options page for any of my themes will most likely always be handled via the additional WordPress Services we offer.
Desk Mess Mirrored Most Popular WordPress Theme
OK, so maybe it’s not THE most popular theme but it is on the first page today! Have a look:
Here’s a link to a screenshot of the full page, too (expand and scroll to the bottom of the image).
Desk Mess Mirrored 1.9
This version of Desk Mess Mirrored should correct the issues found in previous versions with the use of Custom Menus. All of the changes and modifications that were introduced in version 1.8.7 are also included. If you use the Child-Theme Multi, please update to its current version 1.9 as well. The changes made in Desk Mess Mirrored version 1.9 have a direct impact on Multi’s functionality.
Edit: Please insure you are using the current version of Multi (2452), version 1.9. EAC
Desk Mess Mirrored 1.8.7 and Custom Menus
Due to recent changes to the menu styles “Custom Menus” may not be displaying correctly or at all. Thank you to everyone that has emailed or commented reporting this issue. I will address it as soon as possible and release an update as soon as it is ready. Also to note, users of the Child-Theme Multi may also be experiencing a different but related issue. Please update your version of Multi to the latest release, version 1.8.7 … you can download it here: Multi (2452)
Edit: A reversion to 1.8.6.1 has been submitted to the WordPress Extend Theme repository, see version 1.8.7.1. This is a temporary fix until the menu issue can be properly addressed. EAC
Edit: Version 1.8.7.1 is live and virtually identical to version 1.8.6.1 … please “update” and thank you in advance for your patience and perseverance while I sort through this issue and find the most functional and correct solution. EAC
Desk Mess Mirrored 1.8.7
I just released a new version of Desk Mess Mirrored. It needed a few corrections as shown via the latest Theme Unit Test data being used by the WordPress Theme Review Team. Coincidentally, WordPress version 3.2.1 was also released today so it is safe to say the most recent version of Desk Mess Mirrored has been tested with the most recent stable release of WordPress … and all is good!
Here is the recent changelog for those that want to have a read before installing and/or updating to the current version:
Changelog as of July 12, 2011:
-- Version 1.8.7
- tested compatible up to WordPress 3.2.1
- removed inline styles affecting `the_tags()` in index, single, category, author, and 404 templates
- chronologically arranged the 'Basic FAQ' in the readme file (most recent addition first).
- hide comment "balloon" if post is password protected
- miscellaneous clean-up in the style.css file
- re-worked dropdown menu CSS to better handle multiple child menu items from one parent menu item
- re-worked "sticky note" image to handle longer menu item names before repeating the image
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* Internet Browsers Reviewed *
* ========================== *
* *
* Apple Safari v5.0.5 (Mac) *
* Apple Safari v5.0.5 (PC) *
* Firefox v5.0 (Mac) *
* Firefox v5.0 (PC) *
* Google Chrome v12.0 *
* Internet Explorer v9.0 *
* Opera v11.11 *
* *
******************************
Enjoy!
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