Template Design
Alright. I did some work today and got a basic design up. I plan to tweak it a little, just to make sure everything's perfect, but I like it. It's really simple, but there's nothing wrong with simplicity. I like it. I was originally going for a shadow effect around the gray background, but I couldn't get Fireworks to do that, and it's been done to death. So I tried borders, but I like this specific border. It's... different, I think. The header image is a little taller than the current one, but that's no biggie. It's not THAT much taller anyway. It's also a little wider, but that's because I wanted the header to take up the entire width of the design. The template is the same width as Kubrick, however. It is a VERY good width that works PERFECTLY on 800x600 displays (which should be the lowest common denominator these days). I actually like what I have. Maybe I could tone down the gray just a bit, but... We'll see. If enough people say anything about it.
Sorry for the odd resolution too... I was working in Photoshop, trying to get everything lined up and expanded the canvas to meet my needs without really paying attention to the size (I expanded it by percentages). I wanted to get an idea of what it'd look like with the need for a scrollbar, and the size of the image fit that bill just perfectly, even on my 1280x1024 display.
The header image looked kinda dull and plain at first, but then I added a small drop shadow below it and it helps make the header stand out while not being too intrusive yet cleary separates the header from the content. I am pleased with how it turned out.
As always, comments are welcome and, actually, expected. I want feedback on this. I want to make this theme good. Just beacuse I like something the way it is does not mean it is perfect. It may still have major issues that prevent it from working right. Feedback helps me fix these issues.
I look forward to when this theme is done. It will be a joyous day.
The mass of text in the .jpg can be considered an extention of this post. Some of it talks about the theme specifics (font color and such), but most of it is why, with a little how added in.
I hope you guys like it.
Don't worry, just setting up the PHP for AndrAIa. Gotta get everything almost how I want it before I start the CSS
Alright, I believe I have the PHP and HTML all set up! Time to start on the CSS! First up, getting the backgrounds in place...
Let it be Known…
...that there will be an AndrAIa theme. And it will be good.
The idea came to me as I made the new header, actually. Now if only I could use the eyedropper tool on images in my head...
More Site Work
Messed with the CSS and templates so as to get the sidebar to always display. It annoyed me how it disappeared, especially when it seemed as if it was needed most. 'Twas actually REALLY easy to do so. I love the way WP1.5 handles themes! Every aspect or piece of the theme is contained in a separate php file. Each file is then called through a series of php commands. This makes each theme easily magageable and containable. If something is wrong, you now know exactly where to look. Well, if you know what's wrong, that is, otherwise you can easily find what's wrong by going through the template files. I had something similar to this back when I used to use MovableType. Basically, I took the code that displayed the posts and put it in it's own template file. I did the same with the sidebar. That was the extent of my system, however. This system is MUCH better! Everything from the header to the post data to the comments to the sidebar to the archive template to the main template, and even the search form! are contained within these template files. Sure, this means the theme contains many files, but wouldn't you rather have more, smaller files than one huge-ass file for the entire site? I would.
That's enough to make one wet one's pants. But they went a step further. Instead of just dividing up the files into easily manageable, bitesize bits, they've also added a whole new system for choosing themes! With WP1.2, I had to backup my index.php and all the other files associated with the theme. I then had to put my new theme up in it's place. Hardly a friendly system. Now, with WP1.5, I just drop the files into wp-content/themes/%themename%, add a few lines to the styles.css so that WP sees it as a valid theme, and I'm set! I go into the WP-Admin control panel, click on 'Presentation' and choose the theme I want. It's SO much nicer! I plan to make use of this new system QUITE a bit! Hopefully I can finally make a new theme for this site without too much hassle. I've already got quite a few themes in there: Neuron (one I downloaded, pretty nice), Sato - Blue (this one), Sato -Gray (same as this one, gray instead of blue), Slate (old-school Sato theme!), WordPress Classic (default theme for WP pre1.5), WordPress Default (default WP1.5 theme, based on the Kubrick theme. The demo site is actually running WP1.2).
Changed the single post view as follows:
- Changed the way the categories and time are displayed. Now follows same format as main page.
- Changed the alignment on the post body. Used to be justified, ew, 'tis now left aligned.
- Changed the admin-only edit link and comments link (actually, I removed the comments link, no need for it on the single post page) so that the little pipe doesn't show up when not logged in as admin.
Feedback is Yummy
Just messing with the theme a bit. Made the background blue, edited all of the image files to match. Changed the background on the sidebar to an uber light blue.
Tell me what you think.
Alright
I hereby claim this template in the name of Satoshi! I have left my mark, and it... actually looks pretty good. Nevermind the fact that I don't play World of Warcraft, that's actually my beta character. 'Twas sad to see him go... That was a good picture of him, staring out into the water. Check it out.
So, I guess I've started the long journey of slowly making this site (or at least the theme) mine again. I also took another look at the old theme and realized that it won't take too much work at all to get everything working properly. I think I'm gonna retire that theme, though. It's old, it needs a rest.
LAN Party tomorrow.
I'll update later if I feel the need to do so. Let me just say: I feel as if a big ass burden has been lifted from my chest.
Alright, my old theme works perfectly. w00t. I'm not gonna use it, it's good to know that it's there, though, just so I have something to fall back on to incase my attempts at a new theme screw up horribly.
Moved the archives and the links to their own separate pages, as seen under the heading "Pages" in the side bar. This cleared up the side bar quite a bit and made it much easier to navigate.