WordPress 2.2.3 Released!
Fire up your unzipper and FTP programs, boys and girls … WordPress version 2.2.3 is now available for download!
As far as I know, aside from the obvious bug fixes, “tagging” will be an included feature in the new version. So if your a WP theme developer, be sure to check out the new template tags and update all your WP themes. I’ll be updating RockinBizRed soon to incorporate tagging, in case you were wondering. But don’t forget to do a function check for backward compatibility! :-)
RockinBizRed Updated to 2.0
One of my most popular themes has needed an update for months now, and I’ve finally gotten around to doing it. Well, here it is. Have at it!!!
This theme has been totally rebuilt. I did not modify the old theme at all. I started from the bottom and worked my way up, completely revamping the entire theme. This baby is ready to go on any blog! If you are using the original version of my RockinBizRed3Col theme, you NEED to upgrade to version 2.0.
Probably the most requested bug on version 1.1 was the widget problem. The sidebars are now fully widgetized! No more hanging bullets or funky padding. Your widgets should work like a charm now!
Theme Features:
3 columns, with sidebars on either side of the content
A wide enough content column to fit those youtube videos.
Awesome business look for business and professional blogs.
New fonts for a cleaner, more consistent look throughout the site
Customizable classes
Fully commented template files for added customization
Downloaded a total of 2820 times
For a demo of this theme, CLICK HERE »
Theme Updates
Occasionally, there will be a bug or two in my themes. I want to be sure that if I release a bug fix, you’re going to know that I’ve done so, so that you are able to upgrade as soon as possible. So, if you would either subscribe to my main RSS feed or input your email address in the form below, I can be sure that you’ll know when I release updates. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER YOU SUBMIT THE FORM AND VERIFY YOUR SUBSCRIPTION!
For the time being, please report bugs in the comments below. Eventually, I’m going to set up a forum for support, but for now, the comments will have to do.
Good Design Starts With the Homepage
I know there’s a lot of controversy over which part of your blog is most important. Some people say that because most of your traffic is going to come from links to your individual posts through either search engines or links from other blogs. Others say that because one of the most clicked links on your website is the “home” link, the homepage is the most important detail you should focus on.
While I don’t want to negate the importance of individual post page design, I personally find the homepage to be where you should spend the majority of your time designing.
The reason is simple (at least in my mind). Once the homepage is taken care of, single post pages can be taken care of based on your homepage design.
See, web design is all about structure. A “wireframe” if you will. And if the structure of your homepage is in order, it can be copied (at least partially) for the structure of the single post template.
For instance … if you are designing a blog homepage, chances are you’ll have a header, navigation, a content column, and some sidebars. Work on the homepage … get the layout hammered out … then use that layout as a guide for your single page template. Replace “recent comments” with “popular posts”. You get the idea.
I’m not saying one is more important than the other … I’m just saying to start with the homepage, and let the other page designs follow from the way your homepage flows.
RockinBizRed 2 Column WordPress Theme
RockinBizRed is a 2 column wordpress theme, and is a modification of the original RockinBiz theme. It’s widgetized, has a replaceable header image (although the conference room pic is way cool), and is designed specifically for business sites/blogs. It features plenty of whitespace for you claustrophobic types, has an elegant red/grey color scheme, and large readable fonts.
Download it here
Demo it here
For support, please comment below.
If you would like a custom theme developed from this theme, please send us the details through our contact form. We will get back to you for more details and a quote.
If you liked this theme, you may also want to check out the 3 column version, RockinBizRed 2.0.
Welcome to NathanRice.net
Over the past 10 months or so, I’ve jumped head first into the blogging world. I started my personal blog in October … and little did I know the opportunities that little website would bring me.
Here I am nearly a year later, and it’s been a wild ride!
Back in February, I decided to take a shot at releasing a WordPress theme. It was ugly, and it was rough, but I saw then how my pre-existing knowledge of web development could translate easily into theme development. After that first theme, Cory Miller and I started RockinThemes.com, where we have released over 40 free WordPress themes. We also started an custom theme and website development company and have done very well so far.
We’ve since invited new designers to join us at RT, making it a true multi-user theme release hub.
I’ve spent most of my time in the last few months running RockinThemes, but recently I got the idea that I needed to launch out with a site of my own where I would develop and support a small handful of my most popular themes.
And hence NathanRice.net was born.
I won’t get too heavy on the details at the moment, but for the time being I’m thinking this will be a place where users can personally interact with me as I write tutorials on web design, WordPress development, and blogging.
As you can tell, the design is a work in progress. I’ll be working on it sporadically for the next few days and weeks.
But for now, enjoy the new blog! I hope you stick around and check back often. In fact, I’d love it if you would go ahead and subscribe to my feed. Since this a new blog, you can be one of the few people who can say you’ve read it from the very beginning! :-)
