Pending Theme Change on WayneJohn.com

Author wayne on July 23, 2008 

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I will be changing themes in the coming days.  You might have already noticed some attempts to extend my current theme to include a little more color and flip-n-flair.

 

I'm currently converting the Tomodachi theme by RamblingSoul into a BlogEngine.net theme.  I expect to be able to launch the new theme this weekend.

I will also be taking requests from any existing or new BlogEngine.net users for theme conversions.  From time to time, I'll pick my own and convert them.  Each conversion will be made available to download for free on WayneJohn.com.

the tomodachi by ramblingsoulMy intent is to ultimately transition some of these themes into Blogger.com templates also...eventually.

You might have noticed that the current theme has some issues.  Please hang on, I'll be rectifying those issues with this new theme. 

What are your thoughts on the new theme I'll be implementing?  What are your thoughts on my current one?  Is there a theme you would recommend I take a look at (link)?

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  1. Demeur
    Demeur Says:
    July 23. 2008

    I'd like to change some of the elements on my blog but every time I try it doesn't seem to work the way I want. The side columns have way too much empty real estate for my tastes. But I'd like to keep it simple so that it loads fast. Any ideas?
  1. Demeur
    Demeur Says:
    July 23. 2008

    Took a look at the Ramblin Soul home page. Now that's jazzy and cool.
  1. Wayne
    Wayne Says:
    July 23. 2008

    @Demeur - The thing about using Blogger.com as a blog platform is that you make changes, and they are instantly visible on your site. There really isn't a way to 'test' the changes prior to making them.

    You could create a secondary blog that mimics the style and content, make your changes there to see if you like them. If so, make the same changes on your 'real' blog.

    Sometimes making changes like this IS a real pain in the ass. Not only for you, but for seasoned developers as well. You are dealing with a relatively closed system and have to deal with the constraints given to you by the system. That's not to say things are not do-able, because they are.

    Persistence is your friend in this case.

    As for your empty spaces, I don't see them? You seem to have filled in the areas in both columns. Do you have a specific example you can relate this to?

  1. Karen
    Karen Says:
    July 23. 2008

    I'd love a new theme, but know nothing about html. If you come up with some that are compatible with blogger, I'd be into that.
  1. Gary (aka "old dude")
    Gary (aka "old dude") Says:
    July 23. 2008

    Like the idea of yhou finding and making stuff workable with blogger, but I wish it was better known that blogger has two templates going, the old original one, and the newer (since April) one. The new or lastest blogger one, has been adding and adding neat widgets and gadgits that we users can play with just by clickong on Layout and "add-a-gadget button and letting our fingers run through the accessories list. No blackmagic HTML code changes required---us senior blogger really dig that kind of convience, and why YOUR lessons making use of the new/latest blogger template are so great. As for style, I myself feel you should add a modicum of color to your pages, and move away from the old stark black text on white background---strikes me as old IBM (black suite, white shirt, conservative tie syndrome-----but hey its YOUR Blog, you want your readers to recognize it immediately, hey thats Waynes stuff!!! (oh before I forget, how come, when I save a post, then come back to edit it---I don't have a spell check function?---any cure for that?"

    Gary (aka old Dude)
    http://threescoreplusten.blogspot.com/
  1. heavyjunk
    heavyjunk Says:
    July 23. 2008

    I'd like to get more onto my page but I can't even get the time straight. on the setup/layout page it has the correct time but when I post it stamps pacific time instead eastern.
  1. Garry Conn
    Garry Conn Says:
    July 23. 2008

    Hi John,

    I look forward to seeing what kind of new design you come up with. I am actually very impressed with your level of programming skills with multiple languages and platforms. Good luck and I'll be trolling around here and there checking up. Thanks for the comments on my blog too by the way. I hope that you enjoy reading the things I write.
  1. Wayne
    Wayne Says:
    July 24. 2008

    Sorry for falling a little behind in responding. I'm actually out sick today with food poisoning. Always a pleasure to revisit what you ate the day before.

    @Karen - I think theming and templating will be a little in-depth and will most likely cover a few weeks to really dig into and learn. There are many things outside of theming that one needs to be aware of. I'm going to give it my best shot to help build everyone up to that level so you all can take care of business yourselves. Of course, I'm always here to help as well.

    @Gary - First off, thanks for the kudos! I always appreciate hearing them of course! Pretty soon I'll be into the layout and adding/removing 'widgets' onto the blog and gaining control over them. I'm nearly through most of the basics (I need those to be able to refer to them so I don't end up writing books for posts)

    I've always enjoyed the hospital white look, and I'll be moving away from it shortly. I might have my new template done this weekend.

    @HeavyJunk - Sounds to me like you have a little configuration issue with the timestamps. Shoot me an email that will show me your blog, and we can discuss it over IM or email if you like. Perhaps that will also make a post for me too, so thanks! Hope to hear more from you!

    @Gary Conn - Thanks John! I've huddled myself away with no social life for the past 10-15 years...I had better walk away with some skills! hahahaha I do enjoy your posts quite a bit. As I mentioned, I subscribe to your email feed and get them on my phone for leisure reading. Good stuff for sure! You'll see more of my on your blog for sure.
  1. Rose
    Rose Says:
    July 27. 2008

    Not bad! It does not fit all screen resolutions, but I can live with it.
  1. Wayne
    Wayne Says:
    July 27. 2008

    @Rose - Thanks, and you're absolutely right. The theme assumes a standard of 1024x768 screen size. Do you run at 800x600? I'll note this for the next theme I transition into.

    I find it shocking that someone with as many sites as you have would be running at 800x600.
  1. Rose
    Rose Says:
    July 27. 2008

    I do run at 800x600. I need glasses. Wink
  1. Wayne
    Wayne Says:
    July 27. 2008

    gotcha, the next theme will be accommodating to those specs for sure.
  1. Adam
    Adam Says:
    July 28. 2008

    I love the new theme Wayne. I love the nav buttons at the top. Great job.
    I might have to start a Blogengine blog just to get some experience with it.
  1. Wayne
    Wayne Says:
    July 28. 2008

    @Adam - Thanks! You let me know when, and I'll get you all set up!
  1. Muhammad Mosa
    Muhammad Mosa Says:
    July 28. 2008

    I just love it Wayen. it looks cool and pretty. I must say I love these colors. Where I can download it man?!
  1. Muhammad Mosa
    Muhammad Mosa Says:
    July 28. 2008

    On cool thing you may add Wayne, Your own comments as author, you can put them in another color, so readers can catch your own comments
  1. Wayne
    Wayne Says:
    July 28. 2008

    @Muhammad - Thanks! Yeah, there are a few kinks I still need to work out, but I eliminated all the show stoppers so I could move it forward. Now I'll work out the kinks and prepare a proper download page that describes the install and yada-yada.

    Other things to work out:
    1) Tabs don't stick on selected tab (header)
    2) My comments are not colored differently (thanks for the reminder)
    3) Comment page not formatted properly
    4) Search works when hitting enter, but not when clicking the button
    5) Prior posts that have objects greater than 525px cause overlap into the sidebar

    Once I get all but #5 resolved, I'll prepare that download page. I would say wait until I get the deployment steps worked out too. I had to hack some core items to make the search work. Unless you are willing to deal with a simple zip package with no instructions. Smile

  1. Muhammad Mosa
    Muhammad Mosa Says:
    July 29. 2008

    Good luck dude, it is awesome, and really good job to port this theme to BlogEngine

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Check it out mango: Any links must be entered as http://www.somewhere.com with nothing touching it. Anything else will be mangled. This is to help combat spam and to also ensure the masses know of this little tidbit before they click Save comment below. :) I have this down to remind me to do something with it, but I take things slow and easy on the old horse.

Keeps her regular don't ya know, and I wouldn't want to disturb that.



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