You can see that our look has changed; this new look is based on the code for Green Apples, with a few minor changes. There are tweaks yet to be made - and in the process of converting the GA skin I found a couple of errors (yes, I made errors. Can you believe it?) So I”ll be releasing another version of Green Apples with the error fixed.

THEN I’ll get back on track with the Tickled Pink skin. I’ll have a busy day in front of me!

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Changes to the Garden’s WordPress theme

When I first registered this domain, it was only a placeholder for other sites, and a place where I tested various software. I offered hosting services, but through my other site, BK2K Web Design.

When I decided to use WordPress exclusively for content management, I installed it on this domain, and used a standard fixed with, 2-column skin. I decided that I wanted more space, so I coded the template you see today - ultra simple, 2 columns, and not much else.

I’m about to release the Tickled Pink skin, then go on a 2 week break while I revamp the Gardens. I’m thinking I’ll use the same graphics as I did on the first theme (which are kind of nice if I do say so myself) but keep the 100% width, and go to three columns. Damn, this is going to be a fun July!

Stay tuned for Tickled Pink! Today or tomorrow…there, I’ve committed myself!

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I built an Amazon store and stocked it with the latest WordPress and blogging books - check it out! I didn’t use a plugin, but instead made a modified template file and included my aStore in an iframe. I’ll make a video or screencast tutorial soon on how to do it - it was super easy!

I am also getting VERY CLOSE on completing the Tickled Pink theme - you should expect an announcement in the next few days. I don’t know if I”ll submit it to the Theme Codex or not - or even whether they will accept it, but I’ll have it available for download soon. I have to finish the accompanying Simple:Press theme, Pinkish, as it will be part of the package.

I’ve also got another theme in the works that uses NextGEN Gallery - right now it’s just a bare outline in Photoshop and I’ll have to flesh it out but it won’t be long before it’s a nice theme for a gallery or portfolio site!

And - nothing to do with WordPress or with the Gardens, but: Congratulations to Senator Barack Obama on winning the Democratic nomination!

SimplePress is faster and better now with the 3.1.1 build. This release was mostly about optimization, and the crew at Yellow Swordfish did a great job with the back end. Still there are a few new features that make SP even better than before!

I’ll be shutting down during the upgrade. I’ve finished upgrading my other WordPress sites, and ran into minor problems with my server config that might mean display oddities in the forum, but stay tuned, we shall be beautiful again soon!

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I’m happy to present my first WordPress tutorial video. I must apologize for the quality and hope that will improve as time goes on.

This tutorial guides you through a basic 5-minute installation, and shows you exactly how to change the default prefix and user login of WordPress - a little extra protection against those who might wish your beautiful site harm! Enjoy!