As some of you folks out there know WP2.7 is getting closer. (im not sure how close, I haven’t been keeping up on the news) There’s a lot of new stuff and a fresh new admin section. I’ve been following the updates through the nightly builds, testing out some new theme options that come with this 2.7. New Comment Features which you should check out. here, here, & here. oh yeah and a Demo.
My Big Excitement!!! :cool:
WP 2.7 has a some new features for their Parent Child Theme operations, the biggest of which to me is the use of template pages in your child theme that override the Parent Theme. (what are Parent Child Thems??? read here & here)
This is a big deal because now Designers can concentrate their efforts on a master Parent Theme that can handle multiple layouts, better functions, admin options, special template pages && special loops. Every thing can be controlled from the child theme functions page and css. (im not talking about distributed work here, this is all in-house stuff)
What Have I Done 8-O
What I did was build a house without putting it together. Using actions you can put anything anywhere from the functions page. You can even create special loop(s); give it a query, format the loop contents and insert it into any available action. (i freaking wet my pants when i figured that one out)
Why does this matter?
If your HTML and CSS frame work are solid and you don’t plan on changing it anytime soon. Than all you’re adding are Functions, Usability and New Features. You can continually be adding and adding to your Parent Theme’s capabilities with out having to worry about what it looks like.
And!!! if you have three different sites all using the same Parent Theme but different Child Themes you can Update all three at once vs going into each one and messing with core stuff that’s irritating and tedious.
Things to Remember!!!
Don’t jump on this train to quick and start blindly into the tunnel. Do a little research first see what others have done and try and figure out why they did it.
For me the Best Example of a great Parent Theme is Thematic by Ian Stewart… ;-) The biggest help I found was that after seeing what was under the hood I realized I already had everything I needed I just had to organize it and simplify it.
Do your homework… and no this theme is not a child… this theme was a one night stand with an iStock photo… mmmm yummy iStock…
In side your reader some where there is an “A” list, the people you’re sure to read every time you actually go ‘to’ or ‘through’ your reader. I’ll admit I don’t read every post I see, which is why I guess titles are important. Heck if I read the titles I wrote, I wouldn’t read my own blog:(
All joking aside here are my top two Informational sites and a guy that knows some stuff about wordpress.
#1 
If you’re ever in need of a plugin review or some free themes to hi-jack this is your place. Not to mention their is a crap load of good info streaming through this place. They actually come with the standard WordPress install down at the bottom of your dashboard. Check them out if you haven’t already…
#2 
Here you’ll find just about everything under the dark shroud of the interwebnet and maybe even an ebay or two. It would seem their isn’t any secret their not willing to give out. And when I mean give out, they actually offer the scripts for download…
#3 
Adii
I’m not exactly sure what to say about this guy, although I guarantee you’ve seen his work. It’s hard to say what it is that he talks about specifically. I thinks it’s more of the fact that over the last 6mo he’s joined forces with some other well respected guys and I like what their doing. Be sure to go by Woo Themes and browse a little. I think you’ll like it.
So that’s it, go and have fun… I know, I know, you don’t really have space in your reader for more… We’ll if you’re not into WordPress than this post isn’t for you and go here instead….
This is just a quicky, I’ll save all the good stuff for Web App Wed… But in the mean time here is a little info for you WordPress self-hosted users.
I would suggest checking out this plugin before you go and download and upload a crap load of files manually. Don’t forget!!! Always do your homework on a plugin before you use it, and if possible test it on someone else first. no I’m not testing it on you…I already tested it on some of my theme sites and this one as well.
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