Understanding Genesis and Genesis Child themes

[RichardPD]

Hi
I have recently setup 2 Genesis child theme sites (for my wife), using Backcountry theme.

However, I am a little confused about Genesis and Genesis child themes.
I understand what a child theme is and that Backcountry is a child theme but my confusion is about
making customisations to the Backcountry child theme.

For example, in the second site running Backcountry, I have myself edited the wrap.jpg to reduce its overall height (by cropping it so there is much less of the cross hatched height).
I named the img file, wrapg2.jpg and added it to image folder and edited the stylesheet. This is all fine and the site displays as I want, but what happens if Backcountry child theme is ever updated?

If so, the update will "wipe" my customisation. So, is there a best way to make your own customisations to Genesis child themes? I have done a google search for info on this but haven't found a clear answer yet that I understand, for this my particular query.

Is there a really good reference source to learn about Genesis and Genesis child themes? Or do I just learn Genesis by trial and error as I develop and use the 2 sites I have?
I am most grateful for helpful replies,many thanks

http://www.accidentaldiscovery.com

[Brad Dalton]

Child themes aren't updated.

Useful Resources

Code http://my.studiopress.com/snippets/
Visual Markup http://www.genesisframework.com/markup.php
Hooks http://wpsites.net/genesis-hooks/

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Tutorials for StudioPress Themes.

[RichardPD]

Hi Brad
Thanks for your reply.

I am surprised at your comment that child themes aren't updated!?
Can you just confirm this and explain it some more?
Does this mean that Backcountry theme will not be updated by StudioPress?

I also remembered I started my own Genesis site last November(2014) which I only infrequently visit and update. This uses a custom Genesis child theme I made myself (but I did it so long ago I have forgotten how I did it!).
So, I actually run x3 Genesis sites now!

Thanks for your useful resources links, best wishes

[Brad Dalton]

Help Richard

I doubt it will be updated however they may release a Pro version running HTML 5.

Genesis is updated which won't effect your paint job ( child theme ).

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Tutorials for StudioPress Themes.

[RichardPD]

Hi Brad

Thanks again for your helpful reply. I cannot also believe that Backcountry Genesis Child Theme is NOT HTML5!
I am a firm HTML5 supporter and am disappointed to see it not used in this child theme. How did I miss that when I bought the theme? I will need to check more carefully in future....HTML5 shouldn't be for PRO Genesis versions alone, it should be a standard feature, imho!
I guess I could edit it myself and update it to HTML5 before a PRO version release.

It is interesting and helpful though, to know that you feel sure this child theme won't be updated, so my customisations should remain and work.

As an aside, at the moment the http://www.accidentaldiscovery.co.uk site is somehow being difficult as the post there (multi threaded) should show a comment box below, but it doesn't. Very strange, as when I published the post, the leave a comment box was there but it has now disappeared, despite me clearing my cache/history and page refreshing? Odd.

Again, best wishes

[Brad Dalton]

You can convert any XHTML theme to HTML 5

Please start a new post for your comment question.

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Tutorials for StudioPress Themes.

[kke919]

nice question and answer, thank you

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Kem tuyet o sai gon

[MoodyRiviera]

@RichardPD

When you say, "I am a firm HTML5 supporter and am disappointed to see it not used in this child theme. How did I miss that when I bought the theme? I will need to check more carefully in future….HTML5 shouldn’t be for PRO Genesis versions alone, it should be a standard feature, imho! I guess I could edit it myself and update it to HTML5 before a PRO version release."

I think that StudioPress agrees with you on this...and I'm fairly sure that all "recent" StudioPress themes (created in the last few years) *are* HTML5 and are responsive.

Just look for the "Pro" designation.

One other thing...some of the newer themes have names that are similar to the older themes names...but they added the "Pro" designation...but those newer themes, in addition to being HTML5 and responsive, don't usually look much like the older themes with the similar names. For example, when they came out with the "Enterprise Pro" theme it's a lot different from the old "Enterprise" theme.

*MoodyRiviera*

[Summer]

@RichardPD, Just as a bit of history, the Backcountry child theme first came out in 2012. None of the Genesis child themes were HTML5 back then.

I had been waiting to see if a responsive HTML5 Backcountry Pro would come along (the Themedy team finally came out with a responsive version of Foxy News earlier this year and it's yummy), but since Backcountry is no longer listed for purchase on the available themes page, my guess is that it has been officially retired.

It also makes me wonder why the old XHTML Balance, Mindstream, Prose, Decor and Mocha child themes are still listed for sale unless they are slated to eventually have Pro versions. Personally speaking, I would have kept Backcountry around for a Pro version, and let Decor, Mocha and Mindstream head to pasture instead (if that's the actual case here).

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WordPress / Genesis Site Design & Troubleshooting: A Touch of Summer | @SummerWebDesign
Slice of SciFi | Writers, After Dark

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