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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!

Shades 1.2

Edward Caissie — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 04:26:38 +0000

Hot on the release of Desk Mess Mirrored with threaded comments and sticky post support comes Shades version 1.2 which also has threaded comments and supports sticky posts, too!

Here is the latest changelog for the free WordPress theme Shades version 1.2:

Changelog as of Sep 26, 2009:

-- Version 1.2
	- Added Threaded Comments and related CSS elements and properties
	- Added support for Sticky Posts - see changes in template files (archive, author, index) -> post="class" to post_class();
	- Cleanup code for better readability
	- Separated "navigation" links at end of page(s)
	- CSS (new): added navigation class
	- CSS (new): added sticky class element with example properties

I am looking forward to this update going live in the next day or two. Once it does you will be able click this link and then click on download. Give it a try! You can even download the current version then check under Appearance in your dashboard. Then just click on the automatic update when it becomes available!
(NB: Shades version 1.2 is live on WordPress.org as of Sept 28, 2009.)

Minor Update to All Themes

Edward Caissie — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:35:21 +0000

A minor update was recently implemented in all of our themes; one that fixes the issue with fopen() errors in the footer. The code that causes these errors is identical in all our themes. This issue has been corrected and can be found in the following theme versions:

Desk Mess Mirrored version 1.3 of Aug 26, 2009
Shades version 1.1.1 of Sep 6, 2009
Ground Floor version 1.1.2 of Sep 6, 2009
Pinup Meets Grunge version 1.0.4 of Sep 6, 2009

The code in the footer is a check if the theme being used is a child theme. If it is a child theme: the code will display the child theme name with its version; and, the parent theme name with its version. The functions previously being used were incorrect.

If you are experiencing errors in the footer starting with text similar to:

Warning:file()[function.file]...

… then these latest versions of the themes will likely correct this issue. If you are not experiencing these footer issues the update will still have its benefits as noted in the changelog posted on each theme’s individual page.

(NB: The latest versions of Ground Floor and Pinup Meets Grunge are now live at WordPress.org as of Sep 8, 2009.)