Rice Blogger

It is weird to say that the original Kubrick theme that comes default with all Wordpress installation actually does not comply to the Wordpress Theme Requirements. Because I would like to give a shot of getting this theme listed at the directory, I need to make sure that all requirements are complied.

Although it may not be accepted due to originality, I have done considerable changes that actually differentiate the original theme with this.

I have renamed this to be Riceblogger Theme so to give it a name and not to be mistake with the original.

With the new RiceBlogger Theme, we have added some new features on top of the previous version:-

• Tag Cloud – There is a Tag listing on the sidebar / Widget Tag Cloud will be accepted as well.
• Tags – Tags on post will be visible
• Gravatar – The standard theme does not have any gravatar, and it is added to the comment section.

Download: Riceblogger Theme (v1.1).

Learn more about the configuration here.

Wordpress have serve me quite a long time for my other website. I wrote a small blog post testimonial during the Unofficial Wordpress Day of July 1st. Anyhow, I truely like this piece of software and releasing their official logo would actually promotes their brand more.

They have include various format for print, web, phone and vector image to accomodate your designing needs. If you intend to print them, they also have penton code to make sure the color is right.

There is even Wordpress Wallpapers for your Desktop, iPhone and iPod.

Get Wordpress Logo Here

Have you used Microsoft Outlook for your company email that receives like few hundred each day? We are suppose to get third party spam filters and they load so slowly that archive need to be made every few weeks. This is one of the reason for most small company to switch their company email to Google Mail with their domain because of the spam filters, clearer view and faster search features.

However, this may be your chance to switch back to Microsoft outlook with this new outlook plugin, Xobni. It look very neat and fit nicely into your outlook if you were using the vertical view.

It provides:-

• Faster Search
• Email Analytics
• Threaded conversations
• Phone Extract
• Quick Attachment Discovery
• Scheduling your task
• Better Navigation by navigating through people

Here is a nice video of how Xobni works.

There is even a video of Mr Gates promoting it

I don’t really like Short Messaging Service (SMS) mainly because of the slow typing on mobile phone. Also because I use a keypad phone that I need to click 4 times in order to get the letter ’s’. iPhone 3G was actually my next target when it is available in Malaysia or when I could jailbrake it with software (unfortunately both is not available).

Until I see Swype, it is simply amazing with the speed of typing. This is also related to smaller and more powerful processing power that is only available on today latest gadgets.

Check out this video to see how is it in action.

I was trying to catch how words are typed, and it is actually gliding through each character and then changing direction. It will match words in the dictionary. Pretty much heavy work for the mobile phone processor.

Designing a Wordpress theme is actually a tough job. I applause those who have created great Wordpress theme. I think there is various ways you could consider to design your own theme or your could alter an existing wordpress theme.

Copy and Modify
This is a great way for me to learn CSS and Wordpress code. Rather than reading through the long tutorial provided by Wordpress.org, I kind of like to do trial and error myself. There are great theme from the official Wordpress Theme directory, but there are also great theme out there that are not included in the Theme Directory because they choose not to release their theme under GPL. This means that you will have to read their license right and make sure you could modify and reuse their code, therefore be careful when you decides to remove their footer link.

Wordpress Generator
This Wordpress Generator is very cool because it require no coding at all. The downside is that there is limitation on some of the function. Buy hey, it is free and you only fill up the form. By 5 minutes, you will get your very own Wordpress Theme. How cool is that?

Big Credit to this 24 year old from Rotterdam

PSD to CSS
I have not tried PSD to CSS much but it will be useful if you know nothing about CSS, but you have knowledge designing in PSD. This PSD to CSS is not design specifically for Wordpress, therefore you will still need to make sure that you include all needed Wordpress Code.

From a Blank Notepad
This is definitely the best way to design a blog because there is a higher chance you will design something that is different from what is available in the market. Also you will be able to include other cool features like tabber, flash program, or any other javascript into you theme easily when you have the knowledge. Only that this method will require certain knowledge, maybe reading the whole Wordpress Theme Textbook or having similar knowledge.

A shortcut from the above option
If you do not want to do it from a blank notepad, here is another tips to speed it up a little. Rather than typing the normal code for comment.php, searchform.php, header.php and function.php, now you can skip this process. This is the most common method because designer will have a standard blank templates to speed up their daily task. WPCandy have one Starter Theme that is very basic, without any width size or sidebars.

I have just recently made my theme (RiceBlogger theme) but it is not design by me. I have just added some sleek function to make the original default Wordpress theme a better theme to match what is in the market today. The weird thing I have found out is that Kubrick Theme does not comply to the requirements. You will see a version 1.1 of Riceblogger very soon.