I have just listened to the discussion between Matt and Chris on WordPress and the Thesis theme. As a user of WordPress and Thesis and during it Chris makes the statement that he believes none of his users feel that he disrespects WordPress. I have to say right from the word go I have been uneasy about using Thesis for this very reason. I use Linux and continue to use a variety of software that use the GPL. As a user of Thesis I believe Chris shows total disrespect for WordPress, for Matt and the whole community and will from now on start moving my themes away from Thesis.

Just one thing though, as Chris is so blatantly anti the GPL, why should I respect any licence he chooses to adopt?

WordPress Theme Challenge. Breoc Theme v Thesis. I love WordPress which is why I say ouch! But a good ouch. After a heated debate between Matt Mullenweg and Chris Pearson creator of the Thesis theme, I felt it was maybe time to join the discussion. I have to admit that the Thesis theme powers this blog and a few others. I don’t like the fact that it does because I go with Matt, the GPL is the GPL and charging for a theme seems wrong to me and so….. the creation of Breoc. I will start work on the creation of a theme that will have similar functionality to Thesis but will be open sourced and GPL’d.

The initial element will be to set the theme up with a simple white theme and the choice of columns and widgets. It will be installed as a 3 column theme with the choice of where you want to place the columns, content, sidebar, sidebar or sidebar, content and sidebar. It will also enable you to change this to 2 or 1 column either site wide of per page. And finally, we will add the chance to include a 4 column home page. Widgets will be available:

• In the header
• Between the header and the main body of the page
• In the content column, either before or after the content
• In the sidebars
• After the main body of the page
• In the footer

Hopefully that will be a start. Where next please?

Any comments please?

Hi to all reading this….

Quite simply, “Can this be done?”

A unique design

We currently have several ideas of where to take this next:

1. A contact form that auto adds details to the crm.
2. User level and content viewing. Basically we allocate a user a level when they get an account. WordPress has 4 user levels – subscriber, editor, contributor and administrator. What I would like to do is add an option to the plugin to allocated additional user levels such as Bronze, Silver, Gold. These levels then get access to certain content that nobody else gets access to. Allowing a membership site to be set up.
3. Open up data so when a client logs in they see their own data. Useful for reviewing history, passing documents, etc.
4. A small shop or ecommerce system including room management or a booking system

Any other ideas please?

Looks like we might be through the beta and shortly will be releasing the new version. It is substantially different to the first and will take getting used to. Some people will like it and some people won’t! But first a quick user guide. I’ll create a screenshot shortly to show it in action.

1. Install the plugin and activate as usual. When activated it creates a new category called CRM and also several new tags such as telephone, email, visit, etc.

Activate Plugin

2. Once installed head over to Users and create a new user.

Add new user

3. Now edit the user and you will see several new options in the user menu. Address, telephone, company etc. Complete these fields and then press save.

Extra Fields

4. When you do this a couple of things will happen.
4a. A new category will be created under the category CRM.

Categories

Tags

5. The next stage is to create a post. Head over and create a post and allocate the post to the new user category created when you created a new user. Add the tag created as well and you can also tags such as telephone, email, etc.

Create a Post

6. Now when you click on the users menu you will notice an additional menu called CRM. Under this will be some new features.

Client List

Best thing is to explore the plugin. The plugin is still only available to beta testers.

The plugin will now allow you to attach files and images, videos of course to the posts. The posts added to the crm category will not be viewable unless you are logged in.

Limitations

The post/category/tag will not be hidden if they are coming from widgets. If some other widgets are used other than default ones they should be treated accordingly.

I often get frustrated not being able to talk to real people when ordering online. Amazon is one of those that frustrates me the most. However, I would like to introduce you to Broadband Buyer. They have constantly shown themselves to be reliable, to offer valuable advice and to be good value for money.

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There staff are continually looking to help or enhance any order I make. I have quite often spent several phone calls talking through the problem and with their help providing a solution. One thing I have noticed is how up to date they are in terms of current technology. I have no hesitation in recommending Broadband Buyer as a premium provider for all things Broadband and Network related.

Not sure if they have iPads yet though!!!

Privacy!

I have started building another website at Postcard printingThey are high quality UK printers. I have tried to develop the site to look like a postcard! Any comments would be great. In the meantime some blurb from their website:

Visit our Card Gallery to view different sizes and postcard print samples from our wide range of customers.

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Stationery Printing

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There really is no end to the possible use of Colour Postcards.

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Dont Forget its almost impossible to throw a postcard away without it conveying its key message as unlike letters or brochures they are not concealed in an envelope.

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When it comes to the printing service we offer we believe we offer the best for the following reasons:

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Want to try our service? Send us your artwork and we will post you a proof free of charge!

Richard Bayliss who runs the company is a great guy and is willing to talk through any proposals. I enjoy working with him and look forward to finishing the site.

I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high o’er Vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd
A host of dancing Daffodils;
Along the Lake, beneath the trees,
Ten thousand dancing in the breeze.