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How to Maximize WordPress Settings without Losing Your Mind
Run WordPress at full power!
In the previous article, Linda wrote about how to upload and upgrade WordPress. In this article, she'll show you how to create settings for WordPress – one time operations and other tips that can help save your sanity.
Conclusion
If you want to use a Theme Hybrid format for your blog, you will not be able to upload it via the "Appearances" tab in your Dashboard (you can upload themes just as you would uploade plugins), as Justin's designs are not listed in the WP directory. So, you'll need to download the Hybrid Theme you want to use (themes are free to download, but you need to pay a minimal fee to learn how to use the templates and to gain access to Justin's forums for advice – a choice I highly recommend). Once you download a theme from Theme Hybrid, you can upload it via FTP. If your Web host offers an upload file option (MediaTemple, for instance, offers this option), then you can upload themes via your host's control panel.
When you upload a theme from Theme Hybrid, you will upload a theme that offers upgrades, child theme options and other tools that can help you avoid issues between theme code and WP upgrades. Additionally, Justin offers a wider variety of widgets that fit with any WP dashboard options and WP upgrades. Finally, if you choose any other theme, I cannot guarantee you that your theme choice will allow you to even use WP widgets. You will need to experiment, but I've known users who chose themes that eliminated the WP widget option entirely. What a bummer!
When you upload a Theme Hybrid option to WP, you can notice that none of your settings will change. But, you may want to read over Justin's instructions on how to change your theme before you alter any settings or code at all (such as the static page option in the Reading Settings). His suggestion, which is to create a "child" theme, provides you with a means to make all sorts of alterations to your Web site without touching WP code or the code provided in the theme download.
If you are unfamiliar with child themes, a few authors have supplied information on the basics using themes other than Theme Hybrid. You might take a look at these articles over the holidays to learn more about this option. It is, in my opinion, the only way to go if you want to play with a theme's look and feel.
- How to make a child theme for WordPress: A pictorial introduction for beginners: An easy article for beginners to child themes.
- How I used a WordPress Child Theme To Redesign My Blog: A more advanced article using a specific theme other than Theme Hybrid.
- Ian Stewart On Child Themes – Part 1: Gain more traction on understanding child themes with this interview and comments.
Theme Hybrid also contains templates for your pages. To learn more about page templates, visit the WordPress Codex article on Pages.
Have a great holiday, and I'll see you in 2010 with an article on how to play with WordPress Widgets.
Linda Goin
Linda Goin carries an A.A. in graphic design, a B.F.A. in visual communications with a minor in business and marketing and an M.A. in American History with a minor in the Reformation. While the latter degree doesn't seem to fit with the first two educational experiences, Linda used her 25-year design expertise on archaeological digs and in the study of material culture. Now she uses her education and experiences in social media experiments.
Accolades for her work include fifteen first-place Colorado Press Association awards, numerous fine art and graphic design awards, and interviews about content development with The Wall St. Journal, Chicago Tribune, Psychology Today, and L.A. Times.