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need Ebook / Video course for "How To Customize Wordpress Theme"?

by Toby A
13 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
Hi folks,
I haven't started a thread in this part of the forum before, tho I've carried out a search and can't seem to find what I am looking for... so... hopefully I won't be accidentally asking a question that has already been answered a million times (tho as it is quite straightforward, I fear that the answer is probably already here, and my Advanced search might not have been executed very skillfully.. but I'll give it a go).

I am looking for an ebook (or perhaps a video course) that takes you thru a step by step process of setting up Wordpress, and installing lots of plugins - explaining what they do.
... But also, detailed customization of a Theme, editing the custom.css file and adding hooks, to radically customize the appearance of the WP blog, to make the site look very unique. There might also be some basic HTML and CSS training to help with the customization of a Theme.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading
Toby
#customization #ebook #theme #video #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    1. Installing "lots of plugins" is never a wise decision. Install only the few plugins that you REALLY need - i.e. for adding features that don't exist in the core files or to alter WP's default behaviour. No need to install plugins for the sake of plugins.
    When you will be looking for a specific feature (i.e. you will know the name of what you are after) - you will find the one plugin you need. Till then... forget them and spend your time with more productive tasks.

    2. There is no one ebook or video for "theme customization" because almost every author codes their theme files differently.
    Just spend a few years learning XHTML/CSS very well... and you will be able to customize any theme on the fly

    It is NOT basic html/css training if you want "to radically customize the appearance of the WP blog"! To be unique... your knowledge and talent also has to be unique.
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  • Profile picture of the author NeshSab
    Originally Posted by Toby A View Post

    Hi folks,
    I haven't started a thread in this part of the forum before, tho I've carried out a search and can't seem to find what I am looking for... so... hopefully I won't be accidentally asking a question that has already been answered a million times (tho as it is quite straightforward, I fear that the answer is probably already here, and my Advanced search might not have been executed very skillfully.. but I'll give it a go).

    I am looking for an ebook (or perhaps a video course) that takes you thru a step by step process of setting up Wordpress, and installing lots of plugins - explaining what they do.
    ... But also, detailed customization of a Theme, editing the custom.css file and adding hooks, to radically customize the appearance of the WP blog, to make the site look very unique. There might also be some basic HTML and CSS training to help with the customization of a Theme.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks for reading
    Toby
    Hi There! Right now I'm working on a manual (ebook) on How To Customize Any Wordpress Theme (Using only your browser). I'll release it after couple of days and It will be free to download. I'll reply to your thread as soon as I finish my product.
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    • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
      Originally Posted by NeshSab View Post

      Hi There! Right now I'm working on a manual (ebook) on How To Customize Any Wordpress Theme (Using only your browser).
      You made me very curious... I am working with WordPress since 2004 and still couldn't find a way fro what you are proposing in your upcoming book.
      :confused:
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      • Profile picture of the author NeshSab
        Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

        You made me very curious... I am working with WordPress since 2004 and still couldn't find a way fro what you are proposing in your upcoming book.
        :confused:
        I'm sure that you know wordpress better than I do and you will find my manual very "newbie".
        It will be on a very basic level (little CSS knowledge is recommended but not necessary) - how to change colors, menus, size, font, etc. through your browser.
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        • Profile picture of the author Toby A
          Hi guys, sorry for my delay. I'm on UK time and was pulled away from my machine for a little while.

          @Istvan
          Thanks for your feedback.

          1. I agree about only using plugins if they're needed. In the past I have made good use out of a few... For:
          • cloaking affiliate links
          • revealing post IDs in the control panel, so I can select certain ones to be hidden or revealed in home page (at least, I think that was the purpose?)
          • stopping visitors from right-clicking on my blog and downloading my images etc.

          2. I have dabbled with a bit of elementary editing of the custom.css file that seems to be included with many themes. It involved changing and adding some CSS... and have added some hooks in a theme that allows this, which involved adding a bit of HTML
          (I am sorry to say that when it comes to seeing the code in front of my eyes, I don't really know the different between XHTML, DHTML and plain old HTML).

          I think when I wrote "radically customize" I am thinking of the PHP side of things... which I have been told that Wordpress is made of this.
          However, thinking about this, I don't know how necessary this would really be, as major advantages don't come to mind ... and - so far, I have never created Anything in PHP.

          Thanks again


          @NeshSab
          Thanks for posting. Your free How-To manual sounds intriguing. I look forward to seeing it!


          @RobinInTexas
          Thanks for the link to the WP Codex page. I have just looked at the "Theme development" page - I'll have to explore this in more detail


          @yestyle
          Thank you. I will PM you to see what these products are about. You can also let me know the authors or titles here, or in a PM if you prefer - I don't mind which.
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        • Profile picture of the author NeshSab
          Originally Posted by NeshSab View Post

          I'm sure that you know wordpress better than I do and you will find my manual very "newbie".
          It will be on a very basic level (little CSS knowledge is recommended but not necessary) - how to change colors, menus, size, font, etc. through your browser.
          How To Customize Any Wordpress Theme Using Only Your Browser
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          • Profile picture of the author Toby A
            Hi Nesh, thanks for the link.
            Like the way the customization is achieved thru the browser.
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  • Profile picture of the author RobinInTexas
    Just about everything you are looking for is laid out here Main Page « WordPress Codex

    Get a domain and hosting, install WordPress and follow the link above and learn everything there is to know about WordPress.
    Signature

    Robin



    ...Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just set there.
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  • Profile picture of the author yestyle
    Banned
    I have a some ebooks as How to build a custom wordpress theme, How to build wordpress plugins & widget, very detail and has examples with screenshots...etc...easy to learn.
    Each ebook from 300 to over 500 pages in pdf file that I bought them from Amazon.
    If you need please PM me.
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    • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
      Originally Posted by yestyle View Post

      I have a some ebooks as How to build a custom wordpress theme, How to build wordpress plugins & widget, very detail and has examples with screenshots...etc...easy to learn.
      Each ebook from 300 to over 500 pages in pdf file that I bought them from Amazon.
      If you need please PM me.
      And are you sure you have the rights to give them away...?
      Signature

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      • Profile picture of the author yestyle
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

        And are you sure you have the rights to give them away...?
        oh no, may be if he needs, I can suggest him some names to buy from right authors.
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  • Profile picture of the author johngiri
    [DELETED]
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  • Profile picture of the author MrJonny
    There are many videos on YouTube that you can use to pick up those info.
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    • Profile picture of the author Toby A
      Originally Posted by MrJonny View Post

      There are many videos on YouTube that you can use to pick up those info.
      Thanks. I'm continuing my search across the web, incl. some other forums. I will post back when I have some useful info to share... hopeful this will be soon.

      For anyone who uses Wordpress...
      • What's the best "customizable" WP themes that you like to use?
      So far, I've been dabbling with Canvass, because I find it easy to customize.

      Thanks to all who have offered help
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