Transparent WordPress Custom Theme

Playing with the XO Theme Version 3.3.x from Semiomantics and CSS3, I notice how easy it is for most anyone to customize the XO Theme by adding transparencies and other CSS3 elements. Here below you find some drafts. You may visit the test site from : http://globalthebrand.com.

Transparent WordPress Gallery

Scripts and Plug-ins

On the test site we use the Semiomantics Widgets and Theme Handler plug-in as well as a modified Supersized plug-in; the latter needs some more work to make it more responsive. Also we use TubePress which behaves fine also on mobile.

The Theme is Semiomantics XO with 3 custom child-themes; any theme can be associated with any page, post, category, tag or sidebar.

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Responsive Themes for WordPress

Responsive Websites become a must in 2012. This tutorial demonstrates how to make your WordPress Theme Responsive.

What is Responsive Web Design?

In very simple terms: Responsive Web Design aims to display content adapted to the visitors screen size. This means namely that the layout width must be fluid, i.e. expressed as a percentage of the width of the screen, typefaces expressed in em and images must be scalable.

Responsive WordPress Theme XO by Semiomantics

Practically speaking: a responsive designs can be viewed on a smart-phone or on a large PC screen, the display will always be the same and adapted to the size of the screen or browser window. n stead of using multiple style-sheets for different screen sizes, designers use Media Queries which allow to create multiple layouts using the same content. To achieve scalability, CSS media queries, such as min-width or orientation are used.

Make your WordPress Theme responsive using a Child Theme

A quick and easy way consists in creating a child theme; this allows you to upgrade your theme as the case may be without altering your customizations.

How to create a responsive child theme?

1. Create a new folder in your wp-content/themes folder and name it anything you like; for the purpose of this exercise I call it “responsive”

2. Create a style sheet in your new Child Theme folder (call it styles.css).

3. Suppose your main theme is called “wptheme”; paste the following into style.css

 /*
 Theme Name: wptheme Child
 Theme URI: http://www.yourdomain.com/
 Description: Child theme for wptheme
 Author: Your Name
 Author URI: http://www.yourdomain.com
 Template: wptheme
 Version:1.0
 */

The only line you really need to respect is Template:wptheme; this line refers to the parent theme folder.

4. Import the parent themes style-sheet by adding now the following line to your new style.css:

@import url(“../wptheme/style.css”);

5. Define the screen sizes you design for. (Smart-phones, tablets, PC) To test the result we just create different h1 color values for the different screen sizes:

@media screen and (max-width:320px)
{
h1 {
color: #ff0000;
}
}
@media screen and (min-width:321px) and (max-width:768px)
{
h1 {
color:#00FF00;
}
}
@media screen and (min-width:769px)
{
h1 {
color: #0000FF;
}
}

Having set these basic parameters, you can now apply styles and layout values to taste, such as vertical navigation display on small screens.

How to make Images responsive

To make images responsive we will need to take some WordPress specifics into account and there fore we will intervene with CSS3 and Media Queries and modify styles.css and functions.php of our theme.

Add the following to your style-sheet to make images scalable:

img{max-width: 100%;}
img{ -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; }

Now the images will be re-sized to fit horizontally, while the vertical scaling is still defined by WordPress. We need to remove WordPress image height and width values to scale our images proportionally.

In WP, image classes come with a with and height properties; we delete these properties like so:

change in your WP editor:

<img class=”imgclass” src=”../images/imagethumb.jpg” alt=”” width=”100″ height=”100″ />

to this:

< img class=”imgclass” src=”../images/imagethumb.jpg” alt=”” />

This will work for your post and page images, however not for the images created by WP dynamically, such as post thumbnails. We need to delete with and height properties dynamically with a function.

Add to functions.php:

function remove_wp_width_height($string){
return preg_replace(‘/\/i’, ”,$string);
}

Now you need to make a final modification in your template and replace:

the_post_thumbnail();

with the following:

echo remove_wp_width_height(get_the_post_thumbnail(get_the_ID(),’large’));

That’s all!

Hopefully the above will help you to do additional customization wok and as the case may be, to adapt your great themes to the requirements of 2012 Web Design.

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Semiomantics XO with CSS3 and HTML5

Time has come to learn about new technologies available for web designers and developers. All common browsers are increasingly able to read and interpret CSS 3 and HTML5 and about all computers are equipped to read java and jQuery. Therefore new possibilities become available to XO developers which we will focus on during the January Seminar.

XO Theme for WordPress

XO has evolved over the past 4 years along with WordPress Developments. The theme has become responsive and shows perfectly on smart phones and tablets.

XO Edition 2012

Subsequent to the release of WordPress 3.3.x XO needed some adjustments and updates which we have implemented and tested. New design functions become available for advanced customization. XO remains the most flexible theme for custom development, accessible to most anyone.

The XO Seminar

The goal of the seminar is to become familiar with XO and it’s new features as well as to learn how CSS3, HTML5 and jQuery allow to adapt XO to most any customer’s needs.

Some of the technical issues we will have a detailed look at are:

• Transparencies with CSS3
• Background Sliders
• Mobile Verions using WPTouch Pro
• Content and Frame sliders with Pro Slider and SlideDeck Pro
• Social Network connectivity with FacePages
• How to make a WP theme responsive (adapting to different screen sizes such as Smart Phones Tablets and bigger)

How to expand XO functionality?

The most obvious expansions are via plug-ins. We will show how to make the best use of plug-ins for the Mobile Web, Social Networking, Social Media Publishing, Social Network Marketing as well as for more attractive display. Time permitting we will look into additional functions, such as shopping cart or marketing specific scripts.

We also will start looking into another important chapter:

How to convert your XO sites into a Mobile App!

Build an extraordinary Site

In order to make the understanding easier, we will build a new site during the 2 days event. Please join our pre-seminar call on Thursday to prepare the event by setting up a new XO powered site.

Materials

All materials will be provided. You will just need some images/photos, videos and other content you may want to use to populate the XO site.

Schedule

Saturday and Sunday, 28/29 January, 2012 from 1 pm London time till 9 pm London time.

Tickets

Tickets are available on our new shop at HIOD.com. Please click on the below image to order.

Discounts as usual for Ycademy Pros: Please mail Bianca at bianca(at)ycademy.com for the coupon code.

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After Effects Openers for Global Sports

Two simple and bold openers for Global Sports US. The opener will be used on the Season 2 fashion presentation clip by Listen Up London.

Final Version

Draft Version

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After Effects Happy New Year

Tonight at YorgoLive we will focus on editing Inkman’s Christmas After Effect Template. This is a first simple adaptation; in fact the project can be further transformed namely by changing colors and backgrounds. The goal is to become familiar with simple changes of an existing After Effects project.Of course we will show participants how to embed the movie into a Facebook page for sharing with friends and fans.

Happy New Year by Semiomantics

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Interactive Science and Technology Exhibition

Eugenides Foundation Physics Experiment Collections and Technical Exhibits

The Eugenides Foundation’s Physics Experiment Collections and the Technical Exhibit Halls were created in 1966 and operated at the Foundation facilities on Syngrou Avenue until the mid-1990s. Their goal was to fill the gaps in experimental equipment at the institutions of technical education in post-war Greece and to more adequately carry out the essential educational function in the technical and scientific fields.

Two new wings were added to the Foundation in September 2003; one of them houses the New Digital Planetarium and the other, in a section of the building symmetrical to the Planetarium, houses a unique exhibition hall, the “Marianthi Simou” Interactive Science and Technology Exhibition Hall.

The first periodic exhibition, titled Science of Sports, was held there in November 2003, staged by the General Secretariat for the Olympic Games in cooperation with the Eugenides Foundation in light of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Permanent Interactive Science and Technology Exhibition

A permanent Interactive Science and Technology Exhibition has been on display in this new exhibition wing since December 2006.

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Facebook Business Account

What is the difference between a Business and a Personal Account? Which is the ideal solution for you and what are the implications of your choice?

First of all, be aware that according to Facebook rules you are not allowed to use multiple Facebook Accounts. However, you may create multiple Advertizing Accounts as a Managed Advertiser having a dedicated Facebook Representative.

What is a Facebook Business Account?

You can set up a Facebook Business Account, if you don’t already have a standard account,

Business Accounts are mainly designed for Advertisers and to manage pages.

How to create a Facebook Business Account

To create a business account you start by setting up a Facebook Ad or a Facebook Page.Once you have provided the required information, you will be taken to the log-in page and you will be asked if you have already a Facebook Account.  Select “I do not have a Facebook account” and continue by providing email and date of birth.

What can you do or not do with a Business Account

As the owner of a Business Account you can view and edit your pages and ads, add photos or videos and consult stats relating to your pages and ads.

You cannot see other users profiles or timelines as Business Accounts have limited access to information of Facebook.

You cannot see Facebook content that does not live on your pages.

Business accounts cannot be found on search or added as friends.

Business accounts cannot send or receive Friends Requests.

Converting Business Accounts

A business account can be converted into a regular account. Once done, the process cannot be reversed.

Note: The Big Disadvantage

The big disadvantage of Business Accounts are their absence from the internal search and friend feature, making it almost compulsory to spend big time and/or money to promote the content.

Incoming search terms:

• facebook business account
• facebook
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• facebook managed advertisers who have a dedicated facebook representative

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10 Steps to Implement your Facebook Strategy with WordPress

Implementing your Facebook Strategy will be at the center of the November Ycademy Seminar. This hands-on Seminar and Workshop will stretch over two days and build with participants an eye-ball-twisting Facebook presence. See the seminar schedule at the bottom of the post.

The Seminar is designed for WordPress Developers and WP users who are looking for high productivity and customized publishing and marketing solutions.

11 Efficient Facebook Strategies

This topic deals with efficient strategies which will efficiently improve your Facebook presence.

Visit the Semiomantics Facebook Page

7 Ways to jeopardize your Facebook success for sure

Surfing through Facebook we notice some common errors well intended people commit when building their Facebook presence. We will discuss these issues and show you how to eliminate them from your personal or business Facebook.

4 Important Facebook features to focus on

While content is king, there are different ways of making it accessible to visitors. We will discuss the recent changes Facebook has implemented and show you where the focus should be in order to improve your visibility, traffic and business or network expansion on Facebook.

Facebook Privacy and Accessibility settings

Function of your strategy we will define and optimize privacy settings in order to grant potentially interested visitors access to relevant information. Privacy, Accessibility and List-building as well as Targeted Communication are the essentials of this key session.

Workshop: Information and Profile

For people looking for you, your business, services or products, your Profile and Info page are of the utmost importance, the more that your info is visible from outside Facebook and therefore Google efficient. We will set up with participants an efficient Info Page.

Friends, Fans and Subscriptions

We will discuss the recent changes implemented by Facebook and how they impact on our strategies.  Friends, Fans and Subscription features impact on the way we expand our network and influence on Facebook.

Facebook Pages

Overview of the Facebook Page feature. Integration techniques, Apps, Content, Canvas and Pages.

Workshop: Build a simple Facebook page

The focus is on the technical set-up of a Facebook Page. As  content we will use a graphic, picture of video.

Creative and useful Facebook Page Content

What is it you actually wish to display on your Facebook page? In fact there is no limit and it depends entirely on your strategy.

Integrating WordPress with Facebook

This is the center piece of the seminar. Creating Facebook Page right from your WordPress site is now possible. We will set up a reveal page and different Facebook pages depending on participants needs. In fact we show you how to create a whole website in Facebook, straight from your WordPress.

While this works with most any WordPress 3.1 enabled Theme, we will demonstrate the integration with Semiomantics XO.

In fact we will work with a professional plugin modified for Semiomantics XO.

Workshop: Build your Facebook with WordPress

The Seminar will guide you to master the following and more:

• 
  

  Create Unlimited Facebook Fan Pages with WordPress

• 
  

  Increase Likes by 150% with Reveal “Like” Tab Gateways

• 
  

  Unlimited Customization Options When Designing Your Fan Pages

• 
  

  Create Unlimited Custom Pages with the WordPress Page Editor

• 
  

  Create Custom Menus and Navigation with Just a Few Clicks

• 
  

  Comments, Like, Send and Over 50+ Custom Shortcodes for Enhanced Customization

• 
  

  Facebook Open Graph Integration for Enhanced Facebook Integration and Google SEO

• 
  

  Auto Post to Facebook From Your WordPress Blog

• 
  

  Use Your Facebook Albums and Photos on Your Blog and Fan Pages

• 
  

  Add Google Maps to Your Facebook Fan Pages

• 
  

  Create Squeeze and Sales Pages with Just a Few Clicks on Facebook

Workshop: Add Social Network features to your WordPress

Add Facebook related widgets to your front and/or content pages. Google+ and Twitter buttons. Pull in Facebook Albums, Events, like Buttons and more. Use Facebook Connect to log in to or to register with your blog.

Selective Access to your FB Content

Create content which is only accessible after visitors clicked the “Like” button. A smashing filter which allows you to manage accessibility right from your XO.

Seminar Schedule

Time

Saturday and Sunday November 26/27, 2011.

We start at 1 pm London Time and end at 9 pm London time both days.

Materials

You need a WordPress blog preferably with FTP access.

Scripts and all other materials are provided.

We will install the necessary scripts for you previous to the Seminar; please get your Tickets early. If we are not yet in possession of the FTP access to your site, please send it by email to Bianca Gubalke at bianca(at)ycademy.com.

Tickets and Price

The Price for Participating, Materials and access to recordings is $85.

Click to get your Ticket

Discount as usual for Ycademy Pros. Please contact Bianca Gubalke at bianca(at)ycademy.com for the code or any other question you may have pertaining to the Seminar.

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Harvard or Klout?

Recently I came across a video from the Wall Street Journal showing the merits of Klout and discussing some of the perspectives. This leads me to drive the vision further and to ask simple: how will our kids feed their families tomorrow? If the Harvard boys continue to build programs but the asset value shifts away from the program to the individuals populating it, then we may have to rethink economic models and education.

The Klout Report

Below the video which shows what Klout, Social Networking and Social Network Marketing can lead to.

Social Networks Status Quo

Up to now, smart kids built programs and got people to join. These people were building the actual asset value of the program – for free. Many such programs have been sold for billions or went public rewarding the program owners with loads of cash.

Those who actually have built the content, traffic and prestige of the program were not really involved in the benefits of such transactions (think of MySpace, Skype, and others, where subscribers were “sold” multiple times).

Social Profiles, Indexing and Klout

While in the past, programs, like newspapers were analyzed for their target public (market) in order to determine the advertizing value, social profiles are linked to individuals, brands or eventually groups of people. High social indexes in clearly defined market (tags, keywords) will shift the financial power away from programs to where it actually should be: the social profiles, representing high impact, conversion and sales.

My advice to Facebook would be: go public before the market’s attention shifts.

Yorgo Nestoridis on Facebook

Education and Family Business

As parents, we only want the best for our children and if in the past it has been generally admitted that a traditional university education is the most promising base for an economically successful life, one may start doubting that this will still be true in the near future. If tomorrow merchants sponsor social profiles and their owners, then it may be tempting to drag your kid as early as possible in front of a computer and let him collect Likes. The issue is: instead of focusing on traditional schooling, one could let the child build its social index, which, if well managed may rake in millions comparable to show or sports stars.

You could also imagine a whole family working on one and the same social profile, to expand influence. The Social Profile becomes an immaterial material asset in as much as an advertising value is attached to it.

Changing Shopping Habits and Legal Frameworks

Tomorrow, there is no more need for traditional supermarkets, expensive shops in downtown areas and well dressed staff. Shopping will be recommendation based and take place online. Costly networks of distributors will be to expensive, companies will sell directly and select a few high social profiles to recommend their goods and services.

People will look for a benefit and find the appropriate recommendations on Google and in Social Networks. Influential profiles will make money like never before. Such profiles don’t need to be wrapped up in companies limited by shares. The can exist without any particular legal framework, however you could imagine that such profiles may want to build goodwill and associate themselves with NGOs or even become a Foundation whereas then the family members would be the people running the foundation.

And what if the Consumption Driven Society evolves

This would probably be the best that can happen, however then the Social network Bubble and the material interest therein would pass. Now that would be a real revolution for the 21st century!

Incoming search terms:

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