Turning Back the Clock
I am very happy to announce that I have made my way back to the theme that got this all started. I am nearly finished with updating the original Revolution theme, and will soon be releasing it. Before I do that, I wanted to get a little feedback, and to have people test it out across various browsers. Please let me know if you see any bugs or if it looks ok - and let me know what browser you viewed in.
A few things that are different, is the backend to the homepage. Originally, all of the content on the homepage needed to be modified within the theme files, but all of that is now accessible through the Theme Options page. (very important in my opinion for those wanting an easy solution for a CMS!)
Another difference is that this theme will come in two flavors - the original color scheme, as well as a new black one. View the original theme or the black theme. (you can also toggle when viewing the demo by clicking on the Theme Colors drop down in the navbar.)
Here’s what the original theme will look like:
Here’s what the black theme will look like:
On controlling the front page:
Will you set a category/categories to make it the newest?
Can you set it to be a random one of the most recent X in a category?
- or -
Will you have to manually tell it which post to show (or something like that)?
oooohh. I’m digging the black version Brian.
Looking forward to using this theme with the new theme options.
Awesome as always.
Looking good in FF3 on Vista. Really like the black version. I did something similar for a client who’s very happy with it. There is a little spelling error on the word Forum in the menu though..
Nation
Because the primary intent on this theme is for it to be used as more of a CMS for small businesses, etc, the front page now is controlled to be static. I can write up tutorials on how to change the code in the new section on my support forum, as that is something that will be very easy to do. Either it can pull the latest post from X category or it can be coded to pull a specific post.
Wendy
Thanks, I thought the black one would be a fun option for people - people who want to use it as a portfolio-type site, or those who just enjoy dark colors.
Remkus
Thanks for the report - and thanks for being my English teacher. That’s what I get for staring at a computer screen all day long!
haha.. I can hardly be called an English teacher while I still need the spell check function within Firefox everyday! But thanks for the compliment
Brian,
Thanks … though for me it is unnecessary (already built it out myself), I was asking more to see you designed it to work.
On the contrary, I think a dynamic is more small business friendly, ala what I did with http://www.NationInvestors.com where you just set up specific categories for each area (and really the bottom three are randomly selected from many more).
If you want it to stay the same, you just keep those posts the most recent in the category.
I find the red links a bit difficult to read for my tired eyes
For those who have already purchased the original theme, will we be able to download the new and improved original theme as an updgrade?
Nation
Understood - I’ll set it up static, and write tutorials for those who want to pull dynamic content. Win-win for both camps!
Dave
Sorry - it’s hard to find the right color when using a black background. I’ll let users change the links to their own liking.
Michael
Yes, all of my themes are free lifetime updates when you buy them, and this is no different.
Brain,
I really dig the black. Are you going to include a 2/3 column toggle on the back end? Could be a nice addition for people who want to make an easy switch. I had to tweak the first version a bit (but then again, that was at the very first release!).
Pleased to report everything looks good in IE6 (yuck, I know!) for Windows XP!
The only thing that is a little weird to me–which I see from your screenshot above is not a rendering issue–is that the grey box for the search overlaps the magnifying glass. Is there a reason the glass doesn’t sit above the box?
Like any dark background with white text it is hard on the eyes. The black version looks nice but I found myself liking the original version better because it is sooooooooo much easier to read.
Todd
Steffan
I don’t know that toggling of columns, but what I might do is write up a tutorial on how to add a 3rd column
Lauren
Long time no talk! The search glass has always overlapped the gray box - if you take a look at the demo, you’ll see the way it’s always been.
Todd
I know, I personally am not a fan of white text on dark backgrounds, but a lot of people do, and there’s some great examples of this being done!
Brian, I couldn’t find any e-mail address and I need to ask you a quick question. Don’t worry, it is not about work.
Could you please send a line to my e-mail address or let me know about some other way to get in touch with you without having the world watching?
Yes, it has been a long time since we talked! I hope you didn’t think me rude just coming to comment on that little magnifying glass bit :/ I’ve signed on to Yahoo Messenger many times hoping to see you, but perhaps you have switched screen names? Or maybe you’re just too busy to IM!
I read your post about Chris Pearson and I think it is so exciting that you are up there with the big guys now. It was just a dream for you last year and now look at you! I’m very happy for you.
The Blue is looking real nice Brian.
Using gradients in the navbar like the sports and news themes would jazz it up.
Its easy to move but I would suggest keeping the News Feed link out of both nav bars areas. It takes up precious real estate (100px) specially for those that go beyond the standard 6 -7 links.
Consider doing a dynamic side tabber in right column with tabs for: Recent, Comments, Featured and maybe Tags.
Sorry, there I go asking for too much again!
Glad to see you went back to this one for updates Brian. It has been my all time favorite of all your themes. The code is has always been so clean an easy for me to work with and has many many possibilities. Can’t wait to get this one!
Brad
Thanks for the feedback, especially with the navbar gradients. I went ahead and updated them - let me know what you think. As for the RSS, not sure where that would go, although I see your point.
Deborah
Thanks for the comment - you know it’ll be in your hands soon!
No problems in Safari for Mac. I love the blue version of the theme - will you release it in blue too?
PJ
Yes I will - it was an afterthought, after I had written the post, but yes, as of right now I’ll release the theme with all 3 colors!
Very nice…!! Your theme all is my favorite
Love it! Can’t wait!!!
Brian
I like the gradient - it makes the top nav stand out better from the sub nav. My personal preference is for taller nav bars with slightly less gradient effect but I’m being nitpicky here and thats what customization is all about.
The RSS could float right above “Looking for something in particular?” text at least in the black and blue versions (Same location you used in the sports theme). Perhaps consider losing the magnifying glass in the white version?
I’m in the middle of building multiple sites with your themes and really appreciate the work you have put into them.
Thanks!
Just Another WordPress User
Hi Brian, wow I love how the black looks, especially with the gradient nav bar! It will be great to have a “lighter” version and a “darker” version of the revolution theme to work with, its very clean indeed. Hard to imagine you perfect it even more. It looks great for me in the AOL browser and with Firefox.
Brain
How do I download the new revolution theme?
Amy
Glad you love it - you won’t have to wait long, should be released and sent out on Monday!
Brad
Thanks again for your input - adding the gradients actually gave me an idea as to how I can use the Revolution Black theme for a completely new theme. Something I am chomping at the bit with starting.
Susan
It’s my goal now with new themes to offer a few color choices - hopefully people receive that well, and it adds to the experience!
Michael
If you hold tight, I’ll make an announcement on Monday on the official Revolution site when the theme is ready.
Hmmm, black goes with video themes real well.
Hi Brian:
A bit off topic here, but do you plan to design a theme for “buddypress” yet?
I would love, love to see it and buy it.
Vida
Okay, three things I have to say:
1. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new black theme..
2. I love your own pages design, it looks like a well tailored business suit.
3. I almost cried when I saw that you aren’t taking on any new projects right now.
I’m saving my duckies for the black theme
Brilliant work as always!
Now was it the Cuil that inspired you to shake out the black background … or was it the newly released search engine Cuil … that smoked your back background style?
I read this post the other day … but today when I viewed the Cuil search engine for the first time … I could not help but think of this post and your white and black renditions of this theme. It was like Google (white) vs. Cuil (black).
Brian,
Just installed this and there are tears in my eyes!
THANK YOU!!!
Thank you for the ability to change the text on the front page without using HTML.
That has been the “turn off” for my clients who love the look, but who sighed a defeated sigh when they heard that I would have to code the content for the front page of Revolution 2.0.
BRILLIANT catch and obviously divinely inspired.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
Brain, I don’t see the gradiant navbar anymore for the original theme color. Could it just be my Wks redering it wrong or did you decide to remove the gradiant for this version?
They are both really good. But I liked the white theme more.