If you’re designing Thesis skins for clients on your own test server, you will find yourself doing a lot of redundant
work when it comes time to export to a live server. I will show you how to add/remove Thesis elements to save
you this headache.

In custom_functions.php you can copy & paste any of these snippets after the <?php

Nav Menu
remove_action('thesis_hook_before_header', 'thesis_nav_menu');

Header (Title & Tag-line)
remove_action('thesis_hook_header', 'thesis_default_header');

Post Tags
remove_action('thesis_hook_after_post', 'thesis_post_tags');

Comment Link
remove_action('thesis_hook_after_post', 'thesis_comments_link');

Post Navigation
remove_action('thesis_hook_after_content', 'thesis_post_navigation');

Previous/next post navigation
remove_action('thesis_hook_after_content', 'thesis_prev_next_posts');

Subscribe to Comments plugin compatibility (If you’re using the “Subscribe to Comments” plugin)
remove_action('thesis_hook_comment_form', 'show_subscription_checkbox');

Archive page information box
remove_action('thesis_hook_archive_info', 'thesis_default_archive_info');

Thesis Attribution (Developer license only)
remove_action('thesis_hook_footer', 'thesis_attribution');

Footer scripts
remove_action('thesis_hook_after_html', 'thesis_footer_scripts');

Custom Homepage Template
remove_action('thesis_hook_custom_template', 'thesis_custom_template_sample');

Default 404 Title
remove_action('thesis_hook_404_title', 'thesis_404_title');

Default 404 Content
remove_action('thesis_hook_404_content', 'thesis_404_content');

Adversely, you can replace “remove_action” with “add_action” and then type a new hook to move
any of these Thesis Elements around on your skin.

For example: if you wanted to move the Nav Menu from the Header to the Footer

Remove default Nav Menu…
remove_action('thesis_hook_before_header', 'thesis_nav_menu');

And put it in the footer:
add_action('thesis_hook_before_footer', 'thesis_nav_menu');

The final output in custom_funtions.php would look like this:

<?php
remove_action('thesis_hook_before_header', 'thesis_nav_menu');
add_action('thesis_hook_before_footer', 'thesis_nav_menu');

No need to break out the Hooks to insert Google Analytics or Mint Tracking code!

While in your Wordpress Dashboard:

Thesis Options –> Stats Software & Scripts –> Header Scripts (or) Footer Scripts –> Copy & Paste, and Save.

Now, lets try Mint

Ever wanted to remove the, “Comments on this entry are Closed” in Thesis?  Easy! Just copy the CSS code below and paste anywhere in custom.css:

.custom .comments_closed {text-indent: -9999px;}

OR:

.custom .comments_closed {display: none;}

Either way you’ll be “hiding” the text from human eyes.

Since becoming a full-time freelancer, I have found myself flying high one day because I landed a new client – then cussing a storm because someone disputs an invoice. Rather than raise my blood pressure even further…I wanted to ask YOU how you felt about Web Pricing.

The blog posts are endless. Designers/Developers break it down to 63 hours of work for a $200 website = $3.17 an hour…blah blah blah. Maybe you’ve seen the Taco Stand video about Vendor/Client relationships.

The fact remains, credible web developers, (who work in a highly skilled and competitive industry), are sometimes expected to work for pennies because the competition is limitless. I don’t want to get into a debate about how to setup a pricing model. If you want to read about that, visit: (http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/07/14/quality-price-ratio-in-web-design-pricing-design-work/ or http://www.pearsonified.com/2006/06/how_much_should_a_design_cost.php)

I want to know how REAL PEOPLE feel about WEB DEVELOPMENT PRICING. So please, take short (anonymous) 10 question survey and let me know how you feel.

Ever wanted to use Widgets instead of Hooks? On Pages? Category Archives? Now you can with Widget Me for Thesis. Maybe you wanted to get rid of the default Sidebar Widgets on certain pages and use a specific widget instead? (Great for advertisements)

Thesis purist will be happy, this sub-framework uses HOOKS! No plug-ins, and no actual “hacks” to accomplish this. All core files remain unchanged.

Introduction Video:

Installation Instructions:

Download v1.5 Widget Me (112)

Requirements:
WordPress 2.8+
Thesis 1.5 – 1.6b2

Older Versions:
Download v1.2 Widget Me (104)

Did Widget Me help? Isn’t it worth at least $1?

Need help finding a Category ID?

In your WP Dashboard –> Posts –> Categories –> Click on any Category and look in the Address Bar

In your Widget Me folder– >rename any of the category-1.php to match the Category ID in YOUR WP

Like it or not, Thesis 1.6 is here. While it may take a little time to tweak your older sites, fear not!
I will show how to do it in less than 15 minutes.

Step 0.5: Back-up Thesis 1.5!

Step 1: Upload Thesis 1.6 (for more instructions see the Dev Site)

Step 2: Log-into your WP Dashboard and click, “Thesis Options”

Step 3: Click –> Upgrade Thesis

Step 4: Verify the Upgrade (the ‘Oh Crap’ part) by viewing your homepage

Step 5: In the WP-Dashboard: Thesis Options –>”Design Options”

Now you can re-style your navigation and background using the new visual interface!

For some of you that was is it. You’re finished! For others…

Step 6: Open your favorite CSS editor

Did you have an image for a background? Now it’s white? Snuff out the white background with this code:

If you have: Full-Width Framework:

.custom .full_width > .page {
	background-color: transparent;
}

If you have: Page-Width Framework:

.custom #page {
	background-color: transparent;
}

Good work. Now we have to nix the borders and white background on the nav:

.custom .menu {
	border:none;
}
.custom .menu a {
	border:none;
	background-color: transparent;
}
.custom .menu a:hover {
	background-color: transparent;
}

Optional: Get rid of the extra letter spacing, underline the links, de-underline the hover, and make the ‘current’ page bold:

.custom .menu {
	border:none;
}
.custom .menu a {
	border:none;
	background-color: transparent;
	text-decoration: underline;
	letter-spacing: normal;
}
.custom .menu a:hover {
	background-color: transparent;
	text-decoration: none;
}
.custom .menu .current {
	font-weight: bold;
}

Step 7: Sigh and repeat after me: “That wasn’t bad…”

While a pain-in-the-butt this is, you’re now rockin’ Thesis 1.6. Bring on 1.7!

Download Thesis 1.6 Now

Don’t Have Thesis? Download a copy!

The scenario: You’re a have 20+ Thesis sites you maintain. Thesis 1.6 is out, should you upgrade? What will happen if I do? I’ll show you the horrific truth right now.

Let me preface here. I LOVE Thesis. The last year I have designed ONLY with Thesis. I contribute to the support forums, I’m a Certified Designer, etc… This is just too gory not to share.

On the left: Fresh install of Wordpress/Thesis 1.5.1 and the Wasabi Skin

On the right: Upgrade to Thesis 1.6 and the Wasabi Skin

 
 
 
 
 
 
Oh Crap.

With the onset of the drop-down nav and cool shadow features in Thesis 1.6 you are left with the scenario above.

#tabs aren’t the Tabs anymore. They are now .menu

I’ll explain:

#tabs = .menu

#tabs a = .menu a

#tabs a:hover = .menu a:hover

#tabs .current_page_current = .menu .current

#tabs .current-cat = .menu .tab.current

ul#tabs li = .menu li ul

Oh the horror. Every Thesis customization you’ve ever done will require a fix.

Here is what was required for me to turn Wasabi back to normal:

/* ----- THESIS 1.6 UPDATES ---- */
.custom .full_width > .page {
	background-color: transparent;
	background-image: none;
	background-repeat: repeat;
	background-attachment: scroll;
	background-position: 0% 0%;
}
.custom .menu {
	background:#000;
	padding:0.75em 0.5em;
	-moz-border-radius:7px 7px 0 0;
	-webkit-border-top-right-radius:7px;
	-webkit-border-top-left-radius:7px;
	border-top-width: 1px;
	border-top-style: solid;
	border-top-color: #610403;
	border-right-color: #610403;
	border-left-color: #610403;
	border-right-width: 1px;
	border-left-width: 1px;
	border-right-style: solid;
	border-bottom-style: none;
	border-left-style: solid;
}
.custom .menu a {
	background:none;
	border:none;
}
.custom .menu a:hover {
	color: #8E0521;
	background:none;
}
.custom .menu .current {
	color: #fff;
	background-color: #8E0521;
}
.custom .menu .current:hover {
	color: #fff;
	background-color: #8E0521;
}
h1, h2, h2 a {
	color: #fff;
}

.menu a

This isn’t something that will fix itself with a mouse click. This is going to require ALL OF US, to re-visit all our pre-1.6 customized sites and do some work.

Thesis 1.6b was released September 8 around 9pm Eastern to all developers. I raked it through the coals in a 7 hour session and what you are seeing on THIS WEBSITE IS Thesis 1.6b…

1. Post Options

Not much here, just the ability to change the ‘Read More’ text…

2. Thesis Options

Chris Pearson has gone and moved the Thesis Options out of “Appearance”, this took a little getting used too – but is welcome. “Appearance” was getting cluttered. Also new, is the “Drop Down Navigation” built in. (More on this below)

3. Design Options

This is where 90% of the magic is. “The Font, Colors, and More!” section has been completely overhauled and the crown-jewel of Thesis 1.6 is the crazy easy way to change colors.

Other very cool features are the ability to kill all Thesis Borders and add a cool shadow around your page box. (which only works in page-width mode)

4. Custom File Editor

Other than the font colors, this was my second favorite upgraded feature. Syntax Highlighting makes it easy to jump in quick and make a change.

5. Those Drop Down Menus

Now standard, automatic .CSS drop down navigation. All you have to do is create sub-pages or sub-categories and Thesis 1.6 will take care of the rest.

Also new, no more #tabs in the .CSS – the navigation is now .menu

6. Misc. Upgrades

According to Chris Pearson, on the Thesis Dev Site:

• IE-only styles are now cache-friendly: Version 1.5 included a CSS-based method of serving IE-specific styles, but this method proved to have one fatal flaw—it didn’t play nicely with caching techniques (and especially the WP Super Cache plugin). Because of this, I reverted back to using conditional HTML in the document <head>, and now caching is money.
• Fixed post image and thumbnail frames: These actually work now. Special.
• Suppressed warnings on all getimagesize function calls: This PHP function has been known to trigger warnings on certain server configurations, and suppressing warnings will radically reduce the annoyance factor in these situations.
• Moved the /rotator folder into the /custom folder: Can somebody tell me why the /rotator folder, whose very existence suggests customization, was not located inside the /custom folder from the very beginning? Sigh. Fixed.

One other noticeably awesome upgrade note: All of my “Thesis” and “Design” options were unchanged when I upgraded! I didn’t have to re-do all my font sizes, meta tag info, or HTML Framework options. Beautiful.

7. The Bottom Line

A welcome upgrade. Thesis is moving in the direction of not needing ‘expensive design software’ or a ‘qualified designer’.

While the ability to change text, background, and content colors is freakin’ awesome; you will still need to edit custom_functions.php, use OpenHook, or tinker with custom.css to achieve more advanced design layouts. Things like: adding a Logo to the Header, fine-tuning the Sidebars, etc…will require some inexperienced users to seek help.

If that sounds like you, then you’re still going to need to hire a qualified designer. (Lucky for you, the guy writing this post is certified)

In the end, there will be less Thesis sites that look like it came right out of the box. That in itself is worth the price of admission.

Are you a Developer? Download Thesis 1.6b Now

Don’t Have Thesis? Download a copy!

Adobe® AIR™ enables you to run WEB APPS on your desktop. I weeded through ‘the crap’ for 3 hours on Labor Day to bring you this list.

1. iPlotz

iPlotz allows you to create navigable mock-ups and prototypes you can easily export to your client(s). It also can be used as project management software as it keeps track of your progress.

Cost: $75

2. ImageSizer

Built to re-size/optimize/rename batches of .jpg images. Can I get a ‘what what’?

Cost: Free

3. RichFLV

Doing a screen-cast? Client need a video on their website? With RichFLV you can edit/cut/read/convert/export .FLV files on the fly.

Cost: Free

4. Ora Time & Expense

I’m a FreshBooks guy myself…however, I’ve found a FREE alternative that is nearly as robust. Time Tracking/Invoice/Expenses/Reports everything a Freelancer needs to cash in on his/her’s valuable time.

Cost: Free

5. Websnapshot

Do you need a screen-shot? NOW! It’s waaay more than that. I’ve come to rely on Websnapshot to do my dirty work, (Print Screen, Photoshop, Re-size, Save for Web, etc…), because time is money.

Cost: Free

TIE 6. ColourLovers vs. Adobe Kuler

My eye for “color matching” is poor, (just ask my ex-wife about how I suck at dressing our son), so I need help when I’m creating a new design for a client, and pre-made color pallets are where it’s at.

Both apps allow auto-importing to your favorite editing program(s):

ColourLovers = Microsoft Expression
Adobe Kuler = Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign

Regardless, of your editing program preference…both apps give you access to great color schemes (for free) that you can use to design a slick looking website, without embarrassing your kid.

Cost: Both are Free

7. Font Picker

I was skeptical at first. I use Photoshop to view all my fonts one-by-one. Then I tried this, and fell in love. No more trying to compare different fonts one-by-one.  Just type, select the fonts you like, kill the ones you don’t. It’s like having a font playoff on your desktop – and you’re the commissioner. #win

Cost: Free

8. TweetDeck

Twitter = Free self promotion
TweetDeck = Inbox for your cash

Honestly, this is probably the most used Adobe Air App – ever. If you’re a Freelance Designer and you’re not using Twitter to promote your business…you are missing out on BIG money.

Cost: Free

9. Icon Generator

Easy. The only word I need to describe creating Web 2.0 Icons in 3 steps.

Cost: Free

10. GeeMail

I saved the best for last, GeeMail is 100% pure sweetness.

Cost: Free

BONUS! 11. Dunkin’ Donuts

Totally useless, yet totally awesome.

Because America (and a Freelance Designer) Runs on Dunkin’

Cost: Free

Never miss a game again. Google Calendar has just released integrated sports schedules.

Here’s how to get them:

Step 1: Open http://calendar.google.com (new window)

Step 2: Click on New: Sports Calendar (can’t miss it, it’s big and red and in the top right corner)

Step 3: Select your sport

Step 4: Select Pro or College

Step 5: Select your favorite team

That’s it, now you favorite teams show up in Google Calendar – game times and all (so you can schedule auto reminders)