• New and revamped themebaker Admin Panel. It works, we promise ツ. Full detail here.
• Featured post can varies from video, normal post or gallery. Noted with handcrafted icons accordingly.
• Every elements are well formatted, including captions!
• Smart indicator for featured post. All featured posts are noted with star.

We figured that our previous theme detail page carries insufficient information about the theme itself. The new layout promise a new direction and full extend of capabilities.

What’s New on Theme Detail Page

• New buy and download button
  Both had a different background color to differentiate and distinguish each functionality. Blue for download and green for buy now.
• Interactive theme page screenshot
  User’s can browse each theme pages (front page, single page) by clicking on the theme thumbnails. We’ll be able to save a lot of space with this method. Theme thumbnails are placed in one place, rather than having multiple place for each thumbnails.
• Theme details are arranged accordingly
  The elements from previous layout still preserved, with additional element like theme detail on the sidebar, standard WordPress features and Custom features.
• Drop the comment and pingback area
  We figure that this portion isn’t necessary on the theme detail page. With the commenting area, the page is going to look like a blog page, rather than theme details page itself.

Here’s a side by side comparison of our theme details page, before and after :

Coming alongside theme detail page was our service page. It’s a list of service that we offer apart from our core business, selling WordPress themes.

Currently, we’re offering 3 different packages at your convenience. All 3 are guaranteed to have a competitive and affordable price.

ThemeBaker Service Package.

• Basic Package
  Most affordable package. Service includes : WordPress and theme installation on the hosting and also SEO setup.
• Exclusive Package
  Cover more than the basic package. Service includes : all from above package, plugin installation and theme customization work.
• A la carte Package
  If none of the previous package suits your need, contact us for a further discussion. We will send you a quote based on your requirement.

More about the our services can be read here.

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However, we’ve actually overhauled the whole theme from the inside. The new version is now integrated with the new ThemeBaker admin panel, Flickr Photosets fetching support and social media tools integration. So in a nutshell, the design’s still intact, just an adjustment from under the hood and 2 additional new features.

There are few logics behind our action :

• User’s request.
  At ThemeBaker, we’re all ears. When we got a function request, we will list it out first and bring to life which function that we think necessary and received the most request.
• To deliver a new experience for the user when using our theme
  Because we’ve implemented the new ThemeBaker admin panel and we want our users to experience it first hand, to know the easiness of use and how simple the new admin panel is.

What’s New?

• Integrate with ThemeBaker admin panel version 2.
• Flickr photoset fetching support.
• Social media toolbar integration.
• Simple yet beautiful vignette effect on the main gallery.

List of Previous Features

• Column Switcher
  For those who wants a variety of layout, you can now choose 2 column (default) or the new 3 column. Both have been properly aligned and formatted.
• Color Scheme Controller
  Change your layout style easily by using the color scheme controller. Or you can just select the predefined color scheme.
• Two Custom Widget (Archive & Category)
  Spruce up the look and feel of your archive and category widget. MonokromePlus is offering two properly formatted custom widget to give a scan-able/read-able layout on archive and category
• Advertisement
  MonokromePlus has a specific area for advertisement on the layout. The dimension of the advertisement is 125×125 pixel.
• WordPress 3 drop-down menu support
  Navigation menu now has a drop down support, something that previous version did not have.
• AJAX-ified Search
  Instead of boring, normal search, we’e implement new search technique. Try it on the demo and you’ll get the idea
• Customizable Header
  Choose between your own logo or normal text to be the header of your website. If you’re to choose the normal text, MonokromePlus will fetch your sitename (defined from WordPress admin) and transform it to become your logo

We hope that the new and revamped MonokromePlus will satisfy the needs of WordPress and Flickr lover specifically. Check out more details and MonokromePlus demo here.

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var ajaxurl = '<?php bloginfo('url'); ?>/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';
var nonce = "<?php echo js_escape( wp_create_nonce( 'example-ajax-nonce' ) ); ?>";

Then, I’m using an external javascript file and you may name it anything, in this example, I’ll name it main.js:

// your form id
var form = $("#theForm");

// bind form here
form.bind("submit", function(e) {
	// serialize the input data
	var data = $(this).serialize();

	// make AJAX request
	$.ajax({
		url:		ajaxurl,
		type:		'post',
		dataType: 	'json',
		cache:		false,
		data:		{ "action":"<YOUR_ACTION_NAME>", "a":"your-case", "nonce": nonce, "data": data },
		beforeSend:	function(){
			alert('Sending...');
		},
		success:	function(obj){
			if( obj.response == 'success' ) {
				// success
			}
			else if( obj.response == 'failed' ) {
				// failed
			}
		}
	});

	// prevent form from submitting
	e.preventDefault();
});

For your process file, you can name it whatever you want, in this example, I’ll name it process.php:

$a = $_POST['a'];

switch($a) {
	// return result in json format
	case 'your-case': header("Content-type: application/json");

		//
		// create your process here
		//

		echo json_encode( array('response'=>'success', 'message'=>'Successfully cleared') );

	break;
}

Open up your functions.php file and add this function:

function YOUR_FUNCTION_NAME() {
	$nonce = $_POST['nonce'];

	// check to see if the submitted nonce matches with the
	// generated nonce we created earlier
	if ( ! wp_verify_nonce( $nonce, 'example-ajax-nonce' ) ) {
		header("Content-type: application/json");

		echo json_encode(
			array('response' => 'failed', 'message' => 'Verify nonce failed!')
		);

		exit;
	}

	// permission allow to Super Admin and Admin only
	if ( current_user_can( 'activate_plugins' ) ) {
		// path to your process file
		include TEMPLATEPATH . '/ajax_process.php';
	}
	else {
		header("Content-type: application/json");
		echo json_encode(
			array('response' => 'failed', 'message' => 'Insufficient permissions!')
		);
	}

	exit;
}

As for the logged in user, say like, for your theme options panel use:

add_action('wp_ajax_<YOUR_ACTION_NAME>', 'YOUR_FUNCTION_NAME');

If you plan to use AJAX on the front end, add this line and create another function similar to above but without checking permission:

add_action('wp_ajax_nopriv_<YOUR_ACTION_NAME>', 'YOUR_FUNCTION_NAME');

Take note that you must provide both action calls to make sure it all gets processed.

That’s all folks! You’ve successfully spice up your theme with AJAX. Have a nice day ツ.

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However, what if you want to customize it, so that, you could make a different style? Let’s say, you want to wrap the count inside an element like span or em or small, perhaps? Well, worry not, I have the solution for you.

<?php
global $wpdb, $wp_locale;

// set limit for list
$archive_limit = 0;

// query
$q = "SELECT YEAR(post_date) AS 'year', MONTH(post_date) AS 'month', COUNT(ID) as post_count "
	."FROM $wpdb->posts "
	."WHERE post_type = 'post' AND post_status = 'publish' "
	."GROUP BY month, year "
	."ORDER BY post_date DESC".(($archive_limit==0)?'':' LIMIT '.$archive_limit);

// make query for result
$months = $wpdb->get_results($q);

echo '<ul>';

// looping through result
foreach($months as $month) {
	printf(
		'<li><a href="%s">%s %s <span>%d</span></a></li>',
		get_month_link( $month->year, $month->month ),
		sprintf( __('%1$s %2$d'), $wp_locale->get_month($month->month), $month->year ),
		$month->year,
		$month->post_count
	);
}

echo '</ul>';
?>

Well, I must say, simple eh? Have a nice day!

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Things have been in good shape at ThemeBaker. We’re positive and believe that a lot of good things are going to happen this year. For we’ve line up new ideas and strategy but still the very same goal, to give the best to our customers. 2010 had been a good year to us, cross our fingers and hope 2011 too.

What’s Baking at ThemeBaker

• New and revamped MonokromePlus
  Aforetweeted before, we’ve delivered the new and improvised MonokromePlus. Come along the new MonokromePlus is a useful and brilliant feature, Flickr photoset integration. Furthermore, the codes are much cleaner and easier to maintain now. Change log and full post about it will follow.
• ThemeBaker affiliate program has been established
  Another perks buying WordPress theme with us. Everyone’s now be able to make money with literally no cost at all. All you need to do is register to our affiliate program, start promoting the affiliate link and be paid at the end of the month. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. More about our affiliate program here.
• Theme selector on demo page is up
  All our demo pages now have a uniform theme selector bar, providing an easy way for users to access and preview our themes list. Test it out here.

Stay tuned for more news and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Also subscribe to our Feeds and have the updates mailed to your mailbox.

What is a Persona?

Persona is a realistic personalities that represent one of the possible theme user. By creating a persona, we’re actually laying a groundwork and the whole story first, about a person that is going to use the theme.

Persona building is one of 2 planning phase that we went through before we starts with the development. Another would be prototyping (information architecture and interactive prototype), but we’ll elaborate on it later.

How does Persona helps in WordPress theme development?

• Help us to build the right theme
  By creating the persona, we’re actually creates one of many potential users of the theme and tone it down to one. This will avoid us from mistakenly build a theme for another type of person or maybe for ourselves.
• Highlight the function/feature that the theme have.
  For example, we have a transparent feature on Fable. To demonstrate this, we’re using a background that consist of typography arts (to portray the persona interest) and set the container transparency so that user can view the background image. Therefore, viewer will notice the transparent function, and the persona interest at the same time.
• Defining the hierarchy of the website, clearly.
  For example, Fable lifestream was used to list out things that the persona wants to highlight. Same with second point. viewers will notice the use and hierarchy of lifestream and also the persona’s highlights selection.
• Ease things up.
  Isn’t is easier to develop anything (theme in this case) when you have a, story? ツ

Summary

There are myriads of ways to develop a WordPress theme. One can jump to development stage right away without proper planning (persona development, information architecture and such) or vice versa.

As for us,we think that it is crucial and important to take time to plan. It may consume extra time but it’ll definitely brings an advantage in the long run. If it’s done properly, it’ll even cut the development time. Furthermore, it also show the signs of experience and professionalism.

We believe that our users want a value on every penny spent on our themes. We also believe that they’ll appreciate it if we put extra effort and take time to deliver a theme that will satisfy them at the end of the day.

Stay tuned for more news and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Also subscribe to our Feeds and have the updates mailed to your mailbox.

• New and revamped themebaker Admin Panel. It works, we promise ツ. Full detail here.
• Spiffy new custom YouTube video player. Diminish all the unnecessary buttons, and keep it to the minimal look.
• Unique lifestream with awesome carousel concept. You can share your blog post, tweets and even YouTube videos!
• Fully customizable themes with exceptional features to add a zing to your layout.

As time evolve, this essence seems to lost in time. The gist of blog is nowhere to be found. More design centric themes are developed, without taking into account the purpose of blogs at the first place, to share stories.

Introduction

Fable
[fey-buhl]–noun
A short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters; apologue: the fable of the tortoise and the hare; Aesop’s fables.

Features

• 

  New admin panel that ... works.

• 

  Minimal YouTube video player

• 

  Unique and different kind of carousel

• 

  Tweak and spruce out your layout!

Why Fable?

• Tell your story, in style
  Whatever your story is, whatever format (pictures, videos, text) it is, Fable’s able to handle it.
• Easy to use
  Took us hours of planning, research and testing before we deliver Fable and themebaker admin : version 2. This is to ensure that both products are really easy to use.
• Highly customizable
  Stretch your background image, or change the background color of the container and set the transparency (it looks good, really).
• Why not?
  Feature rich, easy to use and most importantly, the price is right. At $70 $49 (30% discount until January 7), we’d say it’s a bargain ツ

Everyone has a story to tell. Now go, tell yours!

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Referring to http://codex.wordpress.org/Roles_and_Capabilities#unfiltered_html, WordPress stated that:

Note: Enabling this option for untrusted users may result in their posting malicious or poorly formatted code.

If you trust your author/contributor, you might want to enable this to allow them to embed the code. To enable this, you can use this plugin, User Role Editor. You can easily enable or disable capabilities for each role. Refer to the image below:

How to Do It?

• Select the role
• Tick ‘unfiltered_html’
• Done!

Hat tip to our friend @iwani from @bitter_coffee for pointing out this matter ツ

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