Our Theme Blog
Fresh Journal Version 2.0 BETA Now Available for Download!
Thanks to the feedback of every Fresh Journal user, I was able to make some big adjustments to the theme that I think everyone will be super excited about! Version 2.0 BETA is now available to every customer. Please note the “beta” – I will need feedback from users to find out if there are any bugs with this version before I make it a full release.
What Changed in 2.0 BETA?
1. New Theme Options Framework
One of the most notable changes in 2.0 BETA is the brand new Theme Options Page! Rather than the “Fresh Journal Options” link under “Appearance,” 2.0 Beta adds a separate button at the bottom of your WP-Admin sidebar for controlling your theme. This new page is coded with JavaScript, enabling you to expand and retract option sections, enabling easier navigation. With the addition of color customization, a new theme options framework was absolutely necessary in order to keep your theme options easily accessible and clutter free!
With this addition came more on-page instructions for each option. Though your handbook is still the best source for learning all about your theme, adding more instructions to your Theme Options Page will hopefully speed up your customizing!
2. COMPLETE Color Customization!
This is definitely the biggest addition to the theme options for 2.0 BETA. Before, I offered the option of switching from a “Dark” to “Light” stylesheet with pre-made color options and also allowed each user the option to change the “Main Color” (i.e. logo, links and buttons). With 2.0 BETA, almost EVERY element of Fresh Journal is customizable, including:
- Logo Color
- Logo Text Size
- Background Color
- Border Color
- Border Size
- Header Background Color
- Navigation Background Color
- Navigation Link Color
- Page Background Color
- Link and Button Color
- Link and Button Hover Color
- Sidebar Background Color
- Sidebar Text Color
- Category Background Color
- Category Text Color
- Category Link Color
- Footer Background Color
- Footer Text Color
- Footer Link Color
3. Font Customization
Is the default “Georgia” font just not your thing? No problem! In 2.0 BETA, you can choose between Georgia and Arial. No need to change padding or text sizes – each option has been adjusted perfectly for Fresh Journal!
4. Background Image Option
Want to jazz up your background without having to mess with your stylesheet? In 2.0 BETA, you can easily add a background image to your theme and even adjust its style from your Theme Options page! Choose between repeat, repeat-x, repeat-y and no-repeat.
5. Compact Share Buttons
If you’re a fan of my “How to Add Compact Share Buttons to Your WordPress Blog Posts” tutorial, you’re going to LOVE this new feature. You now have the option to add compact share buttons to the bottom of your blog posts! The buttons are pre-coded and styled into the theme – no need for plugins! Buttons include:
- Buzz
- Digg
- StumbleUpon
See this option in action on a post on our demo site. If you enjoy the classic “Share Links,” you still have that option!
6. Custom Stylesheet
Are you savvy with HTML and CSS? Want to make changes to Fresh Journal, but afraid of having them overridden with each new version? No need to worry! 2.0 BETA comes equipped with a special “custom.css” file. Simply use this file to make customizations to your theme. All styles added to this file will override the theme’s main stylesheet. When a new version is released, simply carryover your existing custom.css file. To start using this file, simply activate it under the “Style Options” on your Theme Options page!
7. Trackbacks Added to Comments
Want to show off who’s talking about your blog posts on the web? With 2.0 BETA, all trackbacks will be displayed directly under your comments!
What Is No Longer Included in 2.0 BETA?
1. Dark and Light Stylesheets
Since you now have full control over the color scheme of your theme, I’ve removed the option to choose between “Dark” and “Light” stylesheets. I’ve also removed the light stylesheet file.
2. Archive Post Options >> Number of Posts Per Page
I noticed a conflict between this option and WordPress’s built-in “Blog pages show at most” option. Unfortunately, the conflict prevented the “Previous” and “Next” links from appearing, making some posts inaccessible through archive pages. I’ve completely removed this option to avoid this issue. To customize how many posts appear in your archive pages, navigate to “Settings” >> “Reading” and change the number for “Blog pages show at most” in your WP-Admin.
How Do I Start Using 2.0 BETA?
To begin testing out the new version of Fresh Journal, use the download link in our support forum. Remember, only paying customers have access to these forums. You will find it under Theme Support >> Fresh Journal Theme >> Fresh Journal 2.0 BETA
If you’ve made changes to your current theme files, please read through the changelog.txt included in this download. It explains which files have been changed, which are new and which are not used anymore.
Please note, the handbook has not been updated yet for 2.0 BETA. It will be once this version is no longer beta.
This is just Killer Keller! Great work I love using your theme!
Thank You Brian!!!
Great Keller! I wish I could give it a try :)
Thanks! Why can’t you try it Latief?
Can you add slider to the theme?
A slider isn’t on the roadmap for Fresh Journal, however you can always add that through a plugin.
Also, what about SEO, do you have built in SEO optimization?
I prefer to keep SEO separate from themes so that when you stop using a theme, your SEO options won’t be affected. I love the All In One SEO plugin and recommend it to all users.
Keller,
I just noticed that I don’t have a “previous posts” link on my home page so one can navigate to older posts. Will upgrading take care of this?
Thanks,
Melissa
Hi Melissa! The code explicitly displays your chosen number of recent posts. In order to add a previous link, the code on the home page would need to be rewritten. However, I am considering offering that as an option as it has been mentioned in the support forum by another user.