How do I customize the look of a wordpress blog?

blazi · 2006-07-04, 03:48 AM

well folks, I FINALLY figured out how to set up my 1st blog WOOOHOO. Check it out: http://adultwebcams.blazinghotporn.com/feed/

I know it's probably not that big a deal to most of you but it's a big deal to me because after several failed attempts I was about to give up. 5 hours later I got it to work!! It's now 4:00 am, and I started working on the blog at 11:00 pm last night. Problem is, it's not my 1st attempt, I don't know how many late nights I've spent tryin' to figure out this whole wordpress thing lol, well it's simple now that I know what I'm doing (sorta).

Anyway, my question is this, do any of you know how to customize the look of a wordpress blog? Just curious, because I'd really like my blog to match the theme of my site. If any of you are familiar with Wordpress and can help, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance!!

Fonz · 2006-07-04, 04:45 AM

What I usually do is copy the folder where the default theme is located and name the folder whatever the site name is.

Then I go in that folder and start editing the header.php and style.css files so the layout starts looking the way I want.
Once you're messing around in those pages everything will start to make sense.

Oh yeah, also edit the header of the css file since you'll need that to get you own them to work...

Anyway on these pages you'll find more info: http://codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Lessons

ClickBuster · 2006-07-04, 06:26 AM

My suggestion would be to first find a blog theme that has the right visual structure for your blog (2-3 columns, etc.). Upload the theme in the right folder and switch to it from the Presentation section in the WP admin.

Go to Presentation > Theme Editor, on the right side of the page, you'll see a list of all different parts of the blog interface split into files. The file names are explainatory enough for you to know what you're editing (404 template, header, etc). These're the template files.

WordPress uses Smartie Templates, which means each template file has HTML and PHP in it.

TIP: Don't edit the code in the TEXTAREA directly, copy it to the proper HTML/text editor. I personally am using Dreamweaver. That will make it much easier for you to understand the code and edit the files.

The PHP parts of the code call different functions or include others PHP scripts. Like the template files, the functions and the files for inclusure have pretty logical names, plus you'll find comments next most of the PHP, that explains what the code does.

If you're new to PHP, make sure you have a working backup of the file you're editing. Looking at the source should make it easy for you to find the right place to stick your HTML or PHP.

When you change the headers and you add advertisement to your sidebar(s), the next step would be customizing the fonts and colors of the template. This is done by editing the blog stylesheet, which again, you'll find in the Theme Editor section of the WordPress admin.

WP's output (i.e. the site) is based on DIVs and CSS, so if you how to work with that, you can do pretty much everything with the template, turn it upside down if you want

I hope this is helpful... have fun!

Worfik · 2006-07-04, 07:06 AM

Try this: http://www.redalt.com/Tools/builder.php

Fonz · 2006-07-04, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fonz

since you'll need that to get you own them to work...

since you'll need that to get your own theme to work...

And Clickbuster's advise is better than mine

tigermom · 2006-07-04, 10:30 AM

I found 40 or so wordpress themes that I liked and were free for grabs. Then I pick the one that's closest to what I need and work on the files from there, tweaking colors, headers, adding ads etc.

Nice blog, btw, I like that you don't give away too much. If you want to trade links, I have 2-3 blogs that might work with that one. Drop me a PM if you like.

walrus · 2006-07-04, 01:24 PM

Great advice from Clickbuster, it's exactly the way I do it....and I also use Dreamweaver. The new program rocks when it comes to CSS

oast · 2006-07-05, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walrus

I also use Dreamweaver. The new program rocks when it comes to CSS

Slightly off topic... I tend to use notepad or another text editor and do everything by hand. I think it might be time to look at Dreamweaver again.

Back to topic...
Good start, blazi

Nice work, ClickBuster

No-one else mentioned it.. if you don't know where to get more themes from, check out the following:
http://themes.wordpress.net/
http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Themes/Theme_List
http://www.alexking.org/software/wor...me_browser.php
http://www.wordpresstheme.com/

Beaver Bob · 2006-07-06, 07:25 AM

messing around with these themes is a pain in the ass indeed. And I'm a programmer!

oast · 2006-07-06, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beaver Bob

messing around with these themes is a pain in the ass indeed.

I agree. That may be the reason there are so few (comparatively) themes available.

Having said that... the same could be said for most website templates that can be bought/downloaded. The designers make it look good on their setup (or the intended browser/resolution), and that is it. Some are transferable, most are not and need to be hacked (or discarded because of the time needed to put right).

Because of the early browser wars, the HTML language is like the English language... So many different ways of saying/doing the same thing!

If possible, grab hold of one or two templates that closely resemble your site layout. Examine the code, css etc. and play around with them on your home setup or on a non-public section of your online server... making sure you remove all the pinging services in the options before adding any posts (I made that mistake on my 1st test blog)

That is the best course of action and will prepare you for any future blogs you do. Plan C would be to pay someone to do it for you.

walrus · 2006-07-06, 12:25 PM

You kind of get used to it after awhile but what really becomes a pain in the ass is the cross platform compatibility crap. Most WP templates are optimized for Firefox or at least not for IE. I've got a problem with one template that I've been using for months but the problem only recently cropped up....gotta spend some time trying to figure out why it's not happy in IE but looks great in firefox

2006-07-04, 03:48 AM	#1
blazi WHO IS FONZY!?! Don't they teach you anything at school? Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 41	How do I customize the look of a wordpress blog? well folks, I FINALLY figured out how to set up my 1st blog WOOOHOO. Check it out: http://adultwebcams.blazinghotporn.com/feed/ I know it's probably not that big a deal to most of you but it's a big deal to me because after several failed attempts I was about to give up. 5 hours later I got it to work!! It's now 4:00 am, and I started working on the blog at 11:00 pm last night. Problem is, it's not my 1st attempt, I don't know how many late nights I've spent tryin' to figure out this whole wordpress thing lol, well it's simple now that I know what I'm doing (sorta). Anyway, my question is this, do any of you know how to customize the look of a wordpress blog? Just curious, because I'd really like my blog to match the theme of my site. If any of you are familiar with Wordpress and can help, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance!! __________________

2006-07-04, 04:45 AM	#2
Fonz Former pr0n slinger. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 7,929	What I usually do is copy the folder where the default theme is located and name the folder whatever the site name is. Then I go in that folder and start editing the header.php and style.css files so the layout starts looking the way I want. Once you're messing around in those pages everything will start to make sense. Oh yeah, also edit the header of the css file since you'll need that to get you own them to work... Anyway on these pages you'll find more info: http://codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Lessons __________________ See how I abuse little trees on my Shumi no Bonsai Blog

2006-07-04, 06:26 AM	#3
ClickBuster I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 476	My suggestion would be to first find a blog theme that has the right visual structure for your blog (2-3 columns, etc.). Upload the theme in the right folder and switch to it from the Presentation section in the WP admin. Go to Presentation > Theme Editor, on the right side of the page, you'll see a list of all different parts of the blog interface split into files. The file names are explainatory enough for you to know what you're editing (404 template, header, etc). These're the template files. WordPress uses Smartie Templates, which means each template file has HTML and PHP in it. TIP: Don't edit the code in the TEXTAREA directly, copy it to the proper HTML/text editor. I personally am using Dreamweaver. That will make it much easier for you to understand the code and edit the files. The PHP parts of the code call different functions or include others PHP scripts. Like the template files, the functions and the files for inclusure have pretty logical names, plus you'll find comments next most of the PHP, that explains what the code does. If you're new to PHP, make sure you have a working backup of the file you're editing. Looking at the source should make it easy for you to find the right place to stick your HTML or PHP. When you change the headers and you add advertisement to your sidebar(s), the next step would be customizing the fonts and colors of the template. This is done by editing the blog stylesheet, which again, you'll find in the Theme Editor section of the WordPress admin. WP's output (i.e. the site) is based on DIVs and CSS, so if you how to work with that, you can do pretty much everything with the template, turn it upside down if you want I hope this is helpful... have fun! __________________ The tendency is to push it as far as you can -- Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas

2006-07-04, 10:30 AM	#6
tigermom You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 893	I found 40 or so wordpress themes that I liked and were free for grabs. Then I pick the one that's closest to what I need and work on the files from there, tweaking colors, headers, adding ads etc. Nice blog, btw, I like that you don't give away too much. If you want to trade links, I have 2-3 blogs that might work with that one. Drop me a PM if you like. __________________ XLEF

2006-07-04, 01:24 PM	#7
walrus Oh no, I'm sweating like Roger Ebert Join Date: May 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,773	Great advice from Clickbuster, it's exactly the way I do it....and I also use Dreamweaver. The new program rocks when it comes to CSS __________________ Naked Girlfriend Porn TGP free partner account

2006-07-04, 07:06 AM	#4
Worfik Internet! Is that thing still around? Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4	Try this: http://www.redalt.com/Tools/builder.php

2006-07-06, 07:25 AM	#9
Beaver Bob Porn Blog Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 715	messing around with these themes is a pain in the ass indeed. And I'm a programmer! __________________ Need Custom Content? Spunky Dollars

2006-07-06, 12:25 PM	#11
walrus Oh no, I'm sweating like Roger Ebert Join Date: May 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,773	You kind of get used to it after awhile but what really becomes a pain in the ass is the cross platform compatibility crap. Most WP templates are optimized for Firefox or at least not for IE. I've got a problem with one template that I've been using for months but the problem only recently cropped up....gotta spend some time trying to figure out why it's not happy in IE but looks great in firefox __________________ Naked Girlfriend Porn TGP free partner account