59 Thesis Theme resources to help you customize your WordPress blog

sookie · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 03:46 AM

After I downloaded the Thesis theme from BHW, I was very excited to use it on my blogs given how search engine optimized it is. But I also wanted to customize it, which is one of the beautiful things about this theme - you can customize the hell out of it without modifying the theme itself thus when it comes time to upgrade to the next version you can do so smoothly without having to re-customize the theme. Of course to do all of this customization, I needed to find some resources to guide me. And after having searched all over and having put together a nice big list for myself, what better to do than to share it with the community that has made my world from the moment that I joined it!

One thing that I highly recommend you do first is install the Thesis OpenHooks plugin. That thing is the shit - allows you to do all sorts of customization without even having to modify the custom.css file. You can find it at wordpress.org with the rest of the plugins (you can find the link below, as well). You'll also definitely want to spend a chunk of time all over the thesishacker.com site -- the number of guides on there were too numerous to list individually, it's a great resource.

Unfortunately I'm still not allowed to post links, so you'll have to remove the xx's and replace them with tt's but I guess y'all are familiar with that drill.

I sure wish there was a save draft feature in the forums b/c I worked on this post for over 40 minutes yesterday only to have firefox crash on me - and lose everything (it takes so long b/c of having to extract the URLs, etc)!

Anyhow, without further ado, here are all of the Thesis Theme resources that I found -- if you find this post to be of help for you, please do give rep or thanks!

hxxp://rickbeckman.org/thesis-openhook/
hxxp://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/thesis-openhook/
hxxp://w3.thesishacker.com/thesis-openhook-basics
hxxp://diythemes.com/thesis/rtfm/hooks/
hxxp://diythemes.com/thesis/rtfm/default-hook-usage/
hxxp://diythemes.com/thesis/rtfm/customizing-with-hooks/
hxxp://diythemes.com/thesis/rtfm/customizing-thesis-with-customcss/
hxxp://w3.thesishacker.com/
hxxp://w3.skinpress.com/category/wordpress/
hxxp://gregrickaby.com/how-to-use-wordpress-conditional-tags-in-thesis.html
hxxp://gregrickaby.com/get-featured-content-gallery-to-work-in-thesis.html
hxxp://gregrickaby.com/thesis-hooks.html
hxxp://gregrickaby.com/3-quick-tips-to-editing-thesis-customcss.html
hxxp://mattflies.com/tech/thesis-skins-currently-available/
hxxp://mattflies.com/tech/100-resources-for-thesis-wordpress-theme-users/
hxxp://mattflies.com/tech/10-ways-to-customize-thesis-and-enhance-your-blog/
hxxp://mattflies.com/tech/tabbed-widget-tutorial-for-thesis-wordpress-theme/
hxxp://mattflies.com/tech/another-tabbed-widget-for-thesis-tutorial-better/
hxxp://mattflies.com/tech/3-easy-and-highly-requested-thesis-theme-tutorial/
hxxp://w3.howtomakemyblog.com/thesis/8-thesis-theme-design-tips-to-make-your-blog-better/
hxxp://w3.bloghighlight.com/change-background-color-thesis-theme/
hxxp://w3.sugarrae.com/thesis-hooks-dummies-tutorial/
hxxp://w3.blogussion.com/blog/thesis/4-ways-customized-thesis-theme
hxxp://w3.howtomakemyblog.com/thesis/how-to-get-magazine-style-wordpress-blog-with-thesis-theme-teasers/
hxxp://w3.howtomakemyblog.com/thesis/8-thesis-theme-design-tips-to-make-your-blog-better/
hxxp://w3.kristarella.com/2008/11/thesis-footers-101/
hxxp://w3.bleikamp.com/2009/01/04/create-a-custom-search-box-with-thesis/
hxxp://rickbeckman.org/widgetizing-thesis-multimedia-box/
hxxp://w3.kristarella.com/2009/04/full-width-headers-in-thesis-15/
hxxp://franklinbishop.net/thesis-tutorial-ads-in-sidebar
hxxp://w3.tech-exclusive.com/2009/05/03/how-to-add-your-own-logo-in-thesis-them/
hxxp://w3.edragonu.ro/simple-thesis-hooks-for-twitter-stumbleupon-digg-and-reddit/
hxxp://w3.thesishacker.com/
hxxp://w3.keenerliving.com/for-wordpress-bloggers-customize-thesis-theme-functions/
hxxp://w3.seopscentre.com/wordpress/openhook-thesis-plugin-theme-customization-made-easy/
hxxp://w3.doublemule.com/how-to-add-banner-image-thesis-theme-header-css-custom/
hxxp://w3.bloghighlight.com/customizing-thesis-theme-404-error-page/
hxxp://seekingff.com/thesis-skins/
hxxp://thesisthemes.com/download-thesis-skins/
hxxp://w3.francisraymond.com/2009/01/how-to-customize-the-thesis-wordpress-theme-header-hooks-and-social-media-icons/
hxxp://w3.doublemule.com/add-custom-rotator-thesis-theme-multimedia-box/
hxxp://w3.thewhyandthehow.com/integrating-facebook-connect-using-the-thesis-theme/
hxxp://w3.wpbandit.com/2009/05/learn-how-to-customize-thesis-like-a-pro/
hxxp://seozombie.com/seo-wordpress-themes/thesis-basics/
hxxp://w3.emptycabinmedia.com/thesis-theme-add-another-menu/
hxxp://w3.fouroclockproject.com/2009/things-i-wish-i-knew-when-i-started-using-thesis/
hxxp://w3.fouroclockproject.com/2009/beat-the-thesis-theme-learning-curve/
hxxp://w3.logosforwebsites.com/2009/05/how-to-add-a-custom-background-image-to-your-thesis-wordpress-theme/
hxxp://cash-bandit.com/2009/04/24/thesis-tutorial-creating-custom-categories/
hxxp://thesisplayground.com/thesis-skins/looks-good-naked/
hxxp://w3.slideshare.net/williamsba/advanced-thesis-techniques-and-tricks
hxxp://w3.agentwp.com/2009/04/thesis-tricks-move-nav-bar-below-header_29.html
hxxp://franklinbishop.net/thesis-tutorial-banner-ad-in-header/
hxxp://w3.sugarrae.com/thesis-tutorial-advanced-ad-targeting/
hxxp://w3.kristarella.com/2009/02/how-to-use-firebug-for-css/
hxxp://w3.doublemule.com/how-to-add-youtube-video-movie-thesis-theme-multimedia-box/
hxxp://w3.doublemule.com/how-to-add-twitter-follow-widget-thesis-theme/
hxxp://w3.doublemule.com/thesis-tutorial-seo-for-everyone/
hxxp://diy*****s.com/

bijikpalir · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 04:11 AM

Very good list but I need to download the theme first!

sookie · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 04:14 AM

You can find it here:
hxxp://w3.blackhatworld.com/blackhat-seo/templates-themes/81826-get-wordpress-thesis-1-5-a.html

unselfishfan · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 04:23 AM

THANKS! MUCH APPRECIATED!
And here's a reup of all 59 resources with their URLS available for all.

Code:

   1. http://rickbeckman.org/thesis-openhook/
   2. http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/thesis-openhook/
   3. http://www.thesishacker.com/thesis-openhook-basics
   4. http://diythemes.com/thesis/rtfm/hooks/
   5. http://diythemes.com/thesis/rtfm/default-hook-usage/
   6. http://diythemes.com/thesis/rtfm/customizing-with-hooks/
   7. http://diythemes.com/thesis/rtfm/customizing-thesis-with-customcss/
   8. http://www.thesishacker.com/
   9. http://www.skinpress.com/category/wordpress/
  10. http://gregrickaby.com/how-to-use-wordpress-conditional-tags-in-thesis.html
  11. http://gregrickaby.com/get-featured-content-gallery-to-work-in-thesis.html
  12. http://gregrickaby.com/thesis-hooks.html
  13. http://gregrickaby.com/3-quick-tips-to-editing-thesis-customcss.html
  14. http://mattflies.com/tech/thesis-skins-currently-available/
  15. http://mattflies.com/tech/100-resources-for-thesis-wordpress-theme-users/
  16. http://mattflies.com/tech/10-ways-to-customize-thesis-and-enhance-your-blog/
  17. http://mattflies.com/tech/tabbed-widget-tutorial-for-thesis-wordpress-theme/
  18. http://mattflies.com/tech/another-tabbed-widget-for-thesis-tutorial-better/
  19. http://mattflies.com/tech/3-easy-and-highly-requested-thesis-theme-tutorial/
  20. http://www.howtomakemyblog.com/thesis/8-thesis-theme-design-tips-to-make-your-blog-better/
  21. http://www.bloghighlight.com/change-background-color-thesis-theme/
  22. http://www.sugarrae.com/thesis-hooks-dummies-tutorial/
  23. http://www.blogussion.com/blog/thesis/4-ways-customized-thesis-theme
  24. http://www.howtomakemyblog.com/thesis/how-to-get-magazine-style-wordpress-blog-with-thesis-theme-teasers/
  25. http://www.howtomakemyblog.com/thesis/8-thesis-theme-design-tips-to-make-your-blog-better/
  26. http://www.kristarella.com/2008/11/thesis-footers-101/
  27. http://www.bleikamp.com/2009/01/04/create-a-custom-search-box-with-thesis/
  28. http://rickbeckman.org/widgetizing-thesis-multimedia-box/
  29. http://www.kristarella.com/2009/04/full-width-headers-in-thesis-15/
  30. http://franklinbishop.net/thesis-tutorial-ads-in-sidebar
  31. http://www.tech-exclusive.com/2009/05/03/how-to-add-your-own-logo-in-thesis-them/
  32. http://www.edragonu.ro/simple-thesis-hooks-for-twitter-stumbleupon-digg-and-reddit/
  33. http://www.thesishacker.com/
  34. http://www.keenerliving.com/for-wordpress-bloggers-customize-thesis-theme-functions/
  35. http://www.seopscentre.com/wordpress/openhook-thesis-plugin-theme-customization-made-easy/
  36. http://www.doublemule.com/how-to-add-banner-image-thesis-theme-header-css-custom/
  37. http://www.bloghighlight.com/customizing-thesis-theme-404-error-page/
  38. http://seekingff.com/thesis-skins/
  39. http://thesisthemes.com/download-thesis-skins/
  40. http://www.francisraymond.com/2009/01/how-to-customize-the-thesis-wordpress-theme-header-hooks-and-social-media-icons/
  41. http://www.doublemule.com/add-custom-rotator-thesis-theme-multimedia-box/
  42. http://www.thewhyandthehow.com/integrating-facebook-connect-using-the-thesis-theme/
  43. http://www.wpbandit.com/2009/05/learn-how-to-customize-thesis-like-a-pro/
  44. http://seozombie.com/seo-wordpress-themes/thesis-basics/
  45. http://www.emptycabinmedia.com/thesis-theme-add-another-menu/
  46. http://www.fouroclockproject.com/2009/things-i-wish-i-knew-when-i-started-using-thesis/
  47. http://www.fouroclockproject.com/2009/beat-the-thesis-theme-learning-curve/
  48. http://www.logosforwebsites.com/2009/05/how-to-add-a-custom-background-image-to-your-thesis-wordpress-theme/
  49. http://cash-bandit.com/2009/04/24/thesis-tutorial-creating-custom-categories/
  50. http://thesisplayground.com/thesis-skins/looks-good-naked/
  51. http://www.slideshare.net/williamsba/advanced-thesis-techniques-and-tricks
  52. http://www.agentwp.com/2009/04/thesis-tricks-move-nav-bar-below-header_29.html
  53. http://franklinbishop.net/thesis-tutorial-banner-ad-in-header/
  54. http://www.sugarrae.com/thesis-tutorial-advanced-ad-targeting/
  55. http://www.kristarella.com/2009/02/how-to-use-firebug-for-css/
  56. http://www.doublemule.com/how-to-add-youtube-video-movie-thesis-theme-multimedia-box/
  57. http://www.doublemule.com/how-to-add-twitter-follow-widget-thesis-theme/
  58. http://www.doublemule.com/thesis-tutorial-seo-for-everyone/
  59. http://diy*****s.com/

sookie · #5 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 04:28 AM

thanks for the re-up, unselfishfan! Was so wishing I could have posted the links w/o people having to fix them!

anonymousartisan · #6 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 04:30 AM

Hey, thanks for putting that together. That list is a wicked helpful bunch of resources. If I test it out, I'll let you know...

sookie · #7 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anonymousartisan

Hey, thanks for putting that together. That list is a wicked helpful bunch of resources. If I test it out, I'll let you know...

my pleasure -- it's nice to finally have something to give back to the BHW community. Would appreciate the 'thanks'

sookie · #8 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 07:45 PM

the more I go through these resources, the more excited I am about figuring out how to master Thesis customization!! I am going to become the Thesis skin queen!

**blackhit** · #9 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sookie

I am going to become the Thesis skin queen!

There's already one...some girl who promotes this stuff heavily and really knows here way around this theme.

But there's room for an Empress.......

sookie · #10 (**permalink**) 06-11-2009, 01:56 PM

Hey, Empress would be fine by me! Or Goddess

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackhit

There's already one...some girl who promotes this stuff heavily and really knows here way around this theme.

But there's room for an Empress.......

farticus · #11 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 07:30 AM

Thanks for the resources sookie.

sookie · #12 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farticus

Thanks for the resources sookie.

Glad I could help out, Farticus! There are some real gems in there. Still working my way through all of them, myself (I checked 'em all out before posting, but hadn't had the chance to thoroughly read through each one yet)

vidkid · #13 (**permalink**) 06-26-2009, 03:56 PM

Hey Sookie,

Thanks much

stevesdata · #14 (**permalink**) 06-26-2009, 04:35 PM

Whats up with the theme it looks like you cant sell a site with this theme even if you buy the developer license?

???

**sandycat** · #15 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 06:48 AM

woa nice post

redim · #16 (**permalink**) 07-07-2009, 03:10 AM

super share. i just downloaded the hook plugin and also some reading material. well done.

ericshan777 · #17 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 05:47 AM

great share dude... always been using thesis... and this list would be a great help...")

Moosehead · #18 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 07:06 PM

New guy here...thanks for the download. When I install it I get this damn error. "content/themes/thesis-15/lib/functions/teasers.php on line 49".

Can someone help me out with this?

Thanks in advance

lebastard25 · #19 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 07:25 PM

thanks a lot. I've been using thesis for a long time and I didn't knew how to customizing it until now.

and the hook plugin is awesome because you can easily make changes to the theme

nato76 · #20 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 07:32 PM

This is a freakin great. Thanks for sharing. I am in the process of building landing pages with Wordpress.

fitalnamsu · #21 (**permalink**) 07-11-2009, 03:50 AM

Thanks for the great resource.

kingtrojan · #22 (**permalink**) 07-11-2009, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moosehead

New guy here...thanks for the download. When I install it I get this damn error. "content/themes/thesis-15/lib/functions/teasers.php on line 49".

Can someone help me out with this?

Thanks in advance

This is not the error message but the URL that points to the file in which there's the error and and the line at which the error is occuring ! Post the Full Error message if you need help ..

saharaice · #23 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 10:14 AM

Is there any Thesis Wordpress designer, who can customize thesis theme?

**tyler8541** · #24 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 01:37 PM

I just downloaded this theme as well so thanks for this info! Thanks given. Anyone on here experienced in customizing thesis themes?

bluehawk74 · #25 (**permalink**) 01-14-2010, 03:55 AM

Thanks!

blogviet · #26 (**permalink**) 01-14-2010, 04:34 AM

Add this link to: http://eblogtip.com

sammyd · #27 (**permalink**) 01-14-2010, 04:27 PM

Ah- this is good stuff - I have been over my head trying to customise thesis (which I got at bhw). Thesis is one of those things I would like to master but there is only so much time

Hypno_Romo · #28 (**permalink**) 01-18-2010, 04:03 PM

You, Good sir -- Have made my day.

I thank you more than the thanks button expresses.

==Romo

redfulong · #29 (**permalink**) 01-18-2010, 08:59 PM

Is it true that you can't sell a site using thesis even with the dev license?

Geez, what's the point if you're into flipping?

l0l0 · #30 (**permalink**) 01-18-2010, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redfulong

Is it true that you can't sell a site using thesis even with the dev license?

Geez, what's the point if you're into flipping?

It's true and yes it SUCKS!
Your clients/new blog owner must pay $40 for a new license for every blog you flip/build.

Edantes · #31 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 01:06 PM

Yeah... but come on... how they going police that and what legal right do they have to dictate such terms?

I seriously doubt that anyone's going to come knocking on your door or even bother to send you a summons for a law suit that would have a very questionable and challengable argument at best.

Whereas DIY and Thesis can lay claim to the right to distribute and sell their handiwork, bear in mind that WordPress is Open Source AND that Thesis is just a design framework that each respective owner is putting his own individual mark upon.

This whole argument about Open Source software collaborators/designers/cleverclogs having a right to claim "right to profits" or "damages" is kind of like the real estate agent that sells a property and then tries to prevent the onsell to a 3rd party.

I could continue but I'll stop here and say that this whole issue as far as I'm concerned is a monumental "storm in a teacup"

I love Thesis and have created several sites using it (and no I don't have nor do I want or need a "developer's" "licence"). If I got the chance to onsell any of my sites built with Thesis I'd do it in a heartbeat without worrying once about any possible "ramifications",.. ...MY site, built on open source WP platform around My concept and MY finely tuned presentation = My profit not to be shared with any other greedy bastard that's already making $1mil+ per year in sales anyway!

Ed

Quote:

Originally Posted by redfulong

Is it true that you can't sell a site using thesis even with the dev license?

Geez, what's the point if you're into flipping?

**comparco** · #32 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 01:47 PM

Thanks great resource list. For the basic stuff I found a site I like and she even gives the code for basic changes good start for me.

Code:

http://www.thesis101.com

dexterfly · #33 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 02:42 PM

great informatino mate. very useful!
thesis is one of the best themes on the market

theguru68 · #34 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 05:37 PM

Great set of resources, thanks!

But I have been through many of them
(as well as hours of searching) and can't seem to find the answers to two of my problems, so I thought I would toss them out here and see if anyone can help me out.

1: I have a site background with images that should appear on either side of the content/side bar area. On my 21" widescreen monitor, it looks perfect, however when it's viewed on another monitor, such as my friends 17" standard monitor, the pictures disappear. How can I set this up so that the images (the background in general) appear correctly no matter what the viewing monitor is? Or is it even possible?

2: I need to change the background for the content area with an image. I can't find css code for it, nor can I figure it out. It seems simple enough, but I just can't seem to get it.

I have open hook installed.

Thanks to anyone that can help me sort this out!

iiaok · #35 (**permalink**) 04-16-2010, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theguru68

2: I need to change the background for the content area with an image. I can't find css code for it, nor can I figure it out. It seems simple enough, but I just can't seem to get it.

You can try a plug in called Custom Post Background. That may be the easiest way, but it is an older plug in.

sookie · #36 (**permalink**) 04-20-2010, 03:30 PM

Just a reminder that you can now find Thesis 1.6 in the member downloads so everyone should update.

Has anyone had issues with viewing thesis blogs on iphones?

pollock1 · #37 (**permalink**) 06-26-2010, 12:45 AM

Thanks for your post. Its really help for us. I'm new for wordpress so suggest me. How i increase my knowledge.