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The Blogger’s Boxes

The “Blog Functions” box, the “Blogger’s SideBar,” the “Blogger’s FarBar.” These areas are for all those other “things” and any static content you might want to display. They are made for your needs. One of the common WordPress maladies I see a lot is people put stuff in their Sidebar files, which can be a bit difficult for some people to get their bearings in — and they end up having problems with validation and often even suffer presentational issues. The mark-up is not a place everyone wants to mess around in. Some people would rather just stay out. I make this possible by separating these content areas from the surrounding mark-up and scripting. To offer a safer environment in which to work.

Now all one has to do is make sure the content mark-up they are adding in the form of possible plug-ins and add-ons is valid. This can be a pretty big challenge — much more than it ever should be — as there’s a lot of dated garbage floating around, but I will make some proper, valid, and accessible Modules in the near future (over time), and hopefully others will offer up some quality Theme Contributions that everyone can use as well.

Please know that you do indeed need to enter proper and valid mark-up in those designated files (USERS_FUNCTION, USERS_SIDEBAR, and USERS_FARBAR). The content you see now will be in the download, though, and that may help. I want to leave it as it will serve as an example. Anyone can write words between two paragraphs elements if they know they’re supposed to: <p> This would be a paragraph of static text content </p>. It’s just too easy. On this site I also offer up a lot of support information geared to this theme. I discuss Making Lists, Page Validation, all sorts of goodies to help you be on your way in good form. You see, it’s a catch-22 scenario for me: I want my link on your footer, and I want your site lookin’ it’s best since it’s there.

Always, though, there are Support Options that are available to you. I have a “can help” attitude if you will. I my mind I see thousands of valid, accessible blogs out there. That is a good thing in my opinion.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 26th, 2006 at 7:38 pm and is filed under Support, Markup, Modules. You can follow responses via my RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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Blog Functions

Important: This theme requires configuration! Read Instructions.

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SeaBeast theme has been downloaded 8303 times.

This file, USERS_FUNCTION, is yours for adding such blog add-ons as flickr, Skype, and other non-WP goodies. Do try to keep items added to this section at around 120 pixels or less in width to prevent the sidebar from slipping in IE on 800x600 resolution monitors. Need to add CSS styles for items in this box? Easy, use the USERS_CSS file to do so. Then validate!

  • Blog Icons

    • Green-Beast.com
    • WordPress Site
    • SeaBeast Theme Demo

Blogger’s FarBar

This file, USERS_FARBAR, is yours for whatever you wish. Text in simple paragraphs, <p></p> lists, whatever. This is a liquid-width column. That said, you should to keep whatever — fixed-width item — below 120 pixels wide. Again, that concerns fixed-width items, self-forming, liquid items like text in paragraphs will adjust its own width. If you must place a slighter wider item, you can use the USERS_FUNCTION or USERS_SIDEBAR file to do so, but do note that that too should remain thin at only 162 pixels as it is a fixed-width column.

Added Headings!

You can also add headings in these user files. As many as you like. On and on she goes, where she stops. nobody knows! Do remember, though, in these file you have to use proper XHTML. Of course, this content can serve as example to you. Need even more help? Well, professional help is available.

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