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Tagged: help picking a theme
- This topic has 10 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 4 months ago by anotherusername.
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December 22, 2014 at 3:36 pm #135075timothywMember
Genesis is highly regarded among the folks I've encountered since obtaining a domain, a host (Hostgator), and experimenting with WordPress and free themes the last few months.
There is a Studiopress product called framework. Is that the framework and a theme?
It is the least expensive offering I saw so far.I've been messing around with free themes but think for me as a beginner I need the advantages the Studiopress code and community has to offer.
So I think I need to pick a theme (unless the framework is adequate) and was hoping for opinions:I am building a site for myself.
'Commercial' but aimed at a specialized target group of professionals, beginners, vendors, and probably end-usersAn on-line trade magazine with
frequent new articles (approximately 1500 words) with images and diagrams.
paid advertising (no clue as to how to sell yet)
training courses with exams and certificates of completion. (Not sure if I will charge to take the courses and the exams, or if the courses are no charge but the exams and certifications are for a fee)
New product reviews
A newsletter
maybe a blog.
I'm an experienced technical writer, technician and trainer, but pretty much new to creating a website and bloggingH E L P ?
http://www.securitytechmaster.comDecember 22, 2014 at 6:06 pm #135093anotherusernameParticipantGenesis is NOT the easiest theme / framework to use, unfortunately.
It IS very FLEXIBLE, and that flexibility allows you to develop all sorts of special features.
But... you really should know php, css, and how wordpress handles hooks if you want to customize it.
Otherwise, I would go to one of the different wordpress sits that sell themes and just find a them that is as close as possible to what you want first.
BTW: "least expensive option" rarely - if ever - means best... or even "appropriate." I mean, I used to shop for clothes and tried to always purchase "the least expensive" option. Now, my wife doesn't allow me to buy clothes for myself.
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One more thought: If your site is going to be having lots of training courses, certificates of completion, etc., you could POSSIBLY do it in wordpress, but I would probably look at something like Drupal instead. WordPress is first and foremost a blog with added functionality. Drupal is more of a true CMS.
December 22, 2014 at 7:13 pm #135097DTHkellyMemberWordPress is well-suited for LMS:
December 24, 2014 at 8:10 am #135253timothywMemberThanks for the feedback
December 24, 2014 at 8:23 am #135254Davinder Singh KainthMemberGenesis is an excellent Framework for developers and users wanting to invest time in learning.
It follows parent - child theme setup where Genesis Framework theme is the parent theme and custom layout is child theme. When new update is released you can update Genesis Framework theme. So you are using latest back-end theme code without causing any issue with custom design or existing site layout (as child theme do not need update).
Genesis involves bit of learning curve. It is for sure NOT a drag and drop stuff. If you are too pressed with time and learning involved - you can always hire a Genesis developer for custom development.
Sunshine PRO genesis theme
Need Genesis help? Davinder @ iGuiding Media | My Blog | Fresh Genesis ThemesDecember 24, 2014 at 11:30 am #135270timothywMemberMy post was looking for reinforcement before making my purchase.
I have about 20 themes in my WP experimenting; free ones from many sources.
I know it is mostly my own limitations and not the themes that are the problem, but I'm working on them (my limitations)!
So I asked if the $60 Framework included a default child theme which I could roll with, or if someone could suggest a theme to purchase for my project, so I would be able to consider it.
I appreciate all the feedback, and every new thing presented to me is another opportunity to learn.
I need to move forward with the site.
Also, I am not getting notified of follow up replies. i reviewed my profile settings and they appear correct. Any ideas what I screwed up?
Merry Christmas!
December 24, 2014 at 11:59 am #135272Davinder Singh KainthMemberWith purchase of Genesis Framework you will get free access to sample theme. This theme is used by majority developers to create any type of layout / functionality.
Besides this other most used child themes are: Minimum, Agency and Parallax (all 3 with very different layout features).
Yes, there seem to be problem with notifications - lot of other users reporting same.
Happy Holidays!
Sunshine PRO genesis theme
Need Genesis help? Davinder @ iGuiding Media | My Blog | Fresh Genesis ThemesDecember 24, 2014 at 4:19 pm #135278timothywMemberThanks a lot for that info. Just what I was looking for. Merry Christmas
December 24, 2014 at 8:03 pm #135290Ren VenturaMember@anotherusername WordPress is very well suited for LMS-type websites and it's entirely possible to do. @Kellylise shared a post by Chris Lema that discusses a number of excellent solutions for e-learning and WordPress. Even with another CMS like Drupal, the functionality is not built in and must be included. Therefore, the only thing it would really make sense to go with over WordPress would be a dedicated LMS. While my experience with Drupal is minimal, I don't believe it has any more advantages for e-learning than WordPress. Yes, WordPress began as a blogging platform but it has evolved into a full CMS. Additionally, it's way easier to use as a beginner than Drupal (which I found to have the steepest learning curve).
Web & Software Developer & Blogger | RenVentura.com | Follow Me on Twitter @CLE_Ren
December 24, 2014 at 10:23 pm #135291timothywMemberThanks for that info.
A friend said Ruby. Then another says Drupal.
WP has several quiz plugins. I have a lot to learn and discover.I took college level Basic Fortran Pascal & HTML, but that was long ago.
But I am not totally unfamiliar with the programming environment.December 26, 2014 at 3:00 pm #135354anotherusernameParticipantSo I asked if the $60 Framework included a default child theme which I could roll with, or if someone could suggest a theme to purchase for my project, so I would be able to consider it.
If you buy the $60 framework, then aside from the other themes that are sold by studiopress (and the free basic child theme) there are also many genesis 2.0 child themes out there that are free as well.
And if that wasn't enough for you, there are also some free genesis 1.0 themes if you insist.
But if you don't have the time to develop them, then pick whichever theme is best for you and is going to need the least amount of development - whether it is a genesis framework or not.
And for what it's worth, neither basic, pascal nor fortran knowledge is going to be particularly helpful when it comes to learning wordpress / genesis. An HTML background will be helpful though.
sorry if I might appear negative. I am just trying to save you money and frustration.
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