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Shades 1.7

Edward Caissie — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:11:08 +0000

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.

To see the changelog for version 1.7, click here.To hide the changelog click here.

– Version 1.7
= 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!

Shades 1.6

Edward Caissie — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:28:59 +0000

This version of Shades sees many updates and improvements including the first fully supported drop-down menu theme from BuyNowShop.com. More complete implementation of post thumbnails has also been added as well as some other minor tweaks. Following is the most recent changelog:

Changelog as of Sept 9, 2010:
-- Version 1.6
  - released: Sept 13, 2010
  - added license slug and URI to style.css header block
  - added unique prefix to themes functions where appropriate
  - added full wp_nav_menu support
  - added additional WordPress 3.0 core functionality features i.e.: post thumbnails
  - added full drop-down menu functionality with credits to http://matthewjamestaylor.com/blog/centered-dropdown-menus
  - added 'the_shortlink()' based on this post: http://wpfirstaid.com/2010/07/add-the_shortlink/
  - additional code clean-up
  - CSS: adjusted background and font size on allowed tags for comments
  - CSS: minor clean up  

  ******************************
  * Internet Browsers Reviewed *
  * ========================== *
  *                            *
  * Apple Safari v5.0.1 (Mac)  *
  * Apple Safari v5.0.1 (PC)   *
  * Firefox v3.6.9             *
  * Google Chrome v5.0         *
  * Internet Explorer v8.0     *
  * Opera v10.10               *
  *                            *
  ******************************

Please note, child-themes of Shades may not be working correctly with their current versions. Updated version will be available soon on the Shades theme page.

Shades 1.5.1

Edward Caissie — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:44:29 +0000

Shades version 1.5.1 has passed through the current WordPress.org Theme Review process and is now available for downloading or upgrading as the case may be. Here is the most recent changelog.txt excerpt:

Changelog as of June 19, 2010:
-- Version 1.5.1
  - released: June 19, 2010
  - published on WordPress.org: ...
  - corrections to sidebar.php to remove "second" id=searchform
  - WP: changed `the_time( 'M j, Y' )` to `the_time( get_option( 'date_format' ) );`

-- Version 1.5
  - released: June 15, 2010
  - cleaned up code in functions.php
  - clean up code to meet WP Standards
  - WP: updated comments.php to use comment_form() function; old comment form will be removed with next theme revision (post WordPress v3.0)

  ******************************
  * Internet Browsers Reviewed *
  * ========================== *
  *                            *
  * Apple Safari v5.0 (Mac)    *
  * Apple Safari v5.0 (PC)     *
  * Firefox v3.6.3             *
  * Google Chrome v5.0         *
  * Internet Explorer v8.0     *
  * Opera v10.10               *
  *                            *
  ******************************

-- Version 1.4
  - released: Apr 24, 2010
  - published on WordPress.org: Apr 28, 2010
  - Shades of Darkness child theme is no longer included
  - add revision details to each file
  - updated bns_dynamic_copyright() function
  - add class and ID to function widget definition
  - added WordPress version 3.0 Navigation Menu core widget style elements

  - additional modifications to meet current guidelines as found at: http://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Development_Checklist.

Also, as a follow-up to the June 2010 Updates post, I have personally seen to verifying all themes that have been recently submitted are confirmed in the review queue, each with its own Trac ticket; and, Shades would have been approved earlier but I felt I would have been in conflict approving my own theme(s).

June 2010 Updates

Edward Caissie — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:48:55 +0000

Obviously there is a great deal of activity in the WordPress community with the release of version 3.0.

Theme designers and plugin developers have been very busy updating and improving their respective works, myself included. I made updates to a few of the BNS series of plugins … WP_DEBUG is your friend! Although I still have a small issue with a plugin I am currently reviewing. The plugin code works as it is expected to, but therein lies its issue. At this time it is of little significance, but I will likely need to rewrite a large part of the code to eliminate this last little issue.

Also, currently the Desk Mess Mirrored and Shades themes are in the theme review queue, which itself is undergoing some potentially significant changes.

Recently, Ian Stewart wrote a tweet calling out to individuals interested in helping out with the theme review process. Interestingly I was the first to respond. There are actually several qualified individuals that are now helping Joseph Scott sort through and review new and existing themes. This process unfortunately has added a noticeable delay in the process but the expectation is it will only be a temporary as the theme review process moves into the hands of more than one or two individuals; and, these new reviewers catch up on the learning curve.

I look at this as yet another way to contribute back to the community and so do several of the other theme reviewers. This is a work in progress and I look for it to be one of constant improvement as well; and, it has given me a whole new insight into the theme review process. It is a lot more involved than you would first imagine.

Shades 1.4

Edward Caissie — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 16:46:33 +0000

Hot on the heels of the Ground Floor theme update, I have just uploaded the latest version of the free WordPress theme Shades. This version, 1.4, also concentrates on cleaning up the code and preparing for the upcoming release of the WordPress 3.0 – see the latest changelog for more details:

Changelog as of Apr 24, 2010:
-- Version 1.4
  - release: Apr 24, 2010
  - Shades of Darkness child theme is no longer included
  - add revision details to each file
  - updated bns_dynamic_copyright() function
  - add class and ID to function widget definition
  - added WordPress version 3.0 Navigation Menu core widget style elements

  - additional modifications to meet current guidelines as found at: http://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Development_Checklist.

    ******************************
    * Internet Browsers Reviewed *
    * ========================== *
    *                            *
    * Apple Safari v4.0.5 (Mac)  *
    * Apple Safari v4.0.5 (PC)   *
    * Firefox v3.6.3             *
    * Google Chrome v4.1         *
    * Internet Explorer v8.0     *
    * Opera v10.10               *
    *                            *
    * IE 6 - basic functionality *
    ******************************

As noted, the Shades of Darkness child theme is no longer included with this parent theme but it is still freely available for download on the Shades theme page.

Artists and Albums

Edward Caissie — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:44:37 +0000

One of my great pleasures in seeing how my themes are being enjoyed by others. Today I would like to share two more web sites in my series of “showcase” posts.

The first web site is using a modified version of the Desk Mess Mirrored theme. This design has a completely new header section that enhances the theme character for this author’s content and direction. Here is a screen snippet from The DigiScrap Quality Guide:

Digital Scrapbooking Quality Control Guide and Information

The next web site was quite a pleasant surprise; not for its theme modification but simply for its content. I am quite honored to have my theme, Shades, chosen to display Kayla and Orion’s online wedding album. Thank you very much. Here is a snippet of their web site with their special day clearly marked.

Kayla and Orion - May 30, 2010

Please accept my best wishes for a prosperous and joyous future together.

Shades 1.3.3

Edward Caissie — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:55:24 +0000

The latest version (1.3.3) of the free WordPress theme Shades has just been uploaded for approval by the Themes Team at WordPress.org. Here is the recent changelog for this version:

Changelog as of Feb 22, 2010:

-- Version 1.3.3
  - WP: added "GPL2" license statement to style.css
  - WP: added 'posted' to page author by-line, now reads 'posted by'
  - WP: added bns_dynamic_copyright() to functions.php; replaced 'copyright' code in footer.php
  - WP: added bns_theme_version() to functions.php; replaced 'version' code in footer.php
  - WP: moved wp_footer into its own 'div'
  - CSS: removed most empty elements
  - NB: Shades of Darkness will no longer be included with Shades to reduce theme size after version 1.3.3
  - NB: Shades of Darkness will be available to download at http://buynowshop.com/themes/shades

    ******************************
    * Internet Browsers Reviewed *
    * ========================== *
    *                            *
    * Apple Safari v4.0.4 (Mac)  *
    * Apple Safari v4.0.4 (PC)   *
    * Firefox v3.6               *
    * Google Chrome v3.0         *
    * Internet Explorer v8.0     *
    * Opera v10.10               *
    *                            *
    * IE 6 - basic functionality *
    ******************************

Version 1.3.3 of Shades is now live at <http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/shades>.
The WordPress.org Themes Team

Themes at Work and Play

Edward Caissie — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:52:15 +0000

Today we have a modified version of the Shades theme by the good folk at The Ninja Review. I have been to their site numerous times in the past but this time when I opened their blog I had to scroll to the bottom of the page before I recognized the Shades theme.

The Ninja Review was born out of one ninja’s frustration at being unable to find clear-headed, detailed reviews of places he wanted to go to. Add an undying passion for noodles and a lack of outstanding contracts, and you get The Ninja Review.
… from Way of the Ninja | The Ninja Review

The Ninja Review using Shades v1.3.2

Another showcase site uses an older version of the Desk Mess Mirrored theme to host “The Official Quest Atlantis Blog“. An interesting concept dealing with education and online gaming.

Quest Atlantis (QA) is an international learning and teaching project that uses a 3D multi-user environment to immerse children, ages 9-16, in educational tasks (visit QuestAtlantis.Org to learn more. QA combines strategies used in the commercial gaming environment with lessons from educational research on learning and motivation …
… from About QA | Voices of QA

Voices of QA using Desk Mess Mirrored v1.1.1

Stop by and have a read, both sites contain some very interesting information.

Shades 1.3

Edward Caissie — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:36:10 +0000

The latest version (1.3) of the free WordPress theme Shades has been uploaded to WordPress.org for review. Here is the latest changelog entry:

Changelog as of Nov 24, 2009:

-- Version 1.3
  - CSS (new): added "YUI Reset"
  - CSS (new): added '.page ol', '.page ul', and '.page li'
  - CSS (edit): removed #author 'width' property
  - CSS (edit): removed #comments-main 'width' property
  - CSS (edit): removed #comments-main code 'width' property
  - added comments to the page.php template file
  - added support for posts that have multiple pages
  - pt_BR language files added - thanks to Hábner Costa habnertc {at} msn {dot} com

I have added the required support for comments on pages and support for posts with multiple pages. I have also incorporated the language files Hábner Costa was kind enough to submit. If you have translated the Shades theme into our own language and would like it included in future versions please feel free to contact us with the appropriate details. Thank You!

Also, it would seem the automated process used during the upload of the theme has been improved to recognize missing functionality, even in previously approved themes. These features needed to be added, and it was a nice yellow box reminder to do so. Thanks to the good people with the WordPress Themes Team.

(NB: Shades version 1.3 is live at WordPress.org as of Nov 24, 2009.)

Discovering My Themes

Edward Caissie — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:09:07 +0000

I often click through my Blog Stats referrer links and marvel at the people, and the content of their blogs, that have chosen to use one of my themes. Today I would like to share a couple of web sites I particularly enjoyed.

真功夫: http://kungfu.hiiir.com/ – an interesting modified version of the Desk Mess Mirrored theme

Σnergiak: http://roxtaz.homeip.net/blog/ – beautiful, phenomenal, thought provoking collection of digital artistry

An honorable mention goes to fad常丽人: http://ce.yi-zhe.cn/ – a fashion blog and long time user of the Shades theme.

I am positive I will find and be able to share more wonderful and interesting sites, and equally certain I will be honored, amazed, awed … and inspired.

Thank You!