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Premimum theme: Headlines Any one use this yet?

  1. jennikeast
    Member

    Hey, I'm lovin' the look of the new premium theme, Headlines. Having been in magazine publishing (and will soon be publishing my own niche pub.) this is a great tool for Word.com. I especially love the slider option. Having said that, I read on the Woo site they were somewhat concerned that their server may not be able to handle the load? Should we we worried about this?

    Anyway, I tried it out on my existing portfolio and I have to say it looks pretty good! Love the way it makes my writing samples look -- much more visually appealing without sacrificing content (text). It didn't appear to show all the categories on the top navigation bar however...only showed two.
    I assume I can fix that if/when I actually buy it. (It was only in Preview mode after all.)

    Anyone bought this theme? I'd be curious to get some feedback--especially how it will work as a writer's portfolio.

    Thanks!

    The blog I need help with is jennikeast.wordpress.com.

  2. lance
    Theme Wrangler

    Hi jennikeast,
    Glad you like Headlines! Don't worry about the server load, WP.com serves 17 million blogs (and counting: http://en.wordpress.com/stats/). We can handle it!

    Yes, the menu will work with any number of categories, simply make a Custom Menu and assign it to the top navigation.

    From a quick look at our sites it appears about 30-40 sites are already running Headlines already 24 hours after we launched it, so some folks seem to think it works great for their site. :)

  3. timethief
    Member

    @jennikeast
    Where is this blog of which you speak please? The one linked to your username is wearing Inuit Types.

  4. justjennifer
    Member

    tt-you can preview your blog with the new premium themes in your Dashboard before buying. Seems like the OP is asking for feedback from current users before buying.

    Lance, the stats on the Headlines them in the Theme Showcase shows 19 blogs currently using Headlines http://theme.wordpress.com/themes/headlines/ . Perhaps it would also be possible to include some links to sites using the theme, like what is being done on some of the free themes. (Who's using this theme?)

  5. timethief
    Member

    @justjennifer
    Thanks for pointing out the obvious. I need more coffeee. I was just curious. I'm not actually interested in purchasing either of the two paid themes.

  6. lance
    Theme Wrangler

    @justjennifer Great idea! We'll add some soon.

  7. jennikeast
    Member

    Helpful, thanks, yes and I agree with "Just Jennifer" (I'm just realizing that I need to change my avatar-gravatar, what have you) that we could all use some links to themes-in-use. (Though I'm not sure why you called it a "free themes" since Headlines isn't free.)

    That would help my purchasing decision to be sure though I'm not sure I can wait that long cuz' baby wants her new toy and wants it NOW!

    So, I think I will take the plunge and buy it. Like I said, it looks great for my needs. Now this may be a dumb question, but can we use this theme for other blogs...without having to buy a copy each time?

    Also, Lance next questions are for you:

    (1) If I have problems/questions re: Headlines, where is the quickest, most-likely-to-get-the help I need resource for this theme? Woo or you? (Sorry, couldn't pass that one up.)
    (2) If it turns out NOT to be right one for me for some unforeseen reason that only a novice WP'er would experience, can we get a refund?

    BTW, I tried the other new premium theme (I think WP only has two thus far, right?) that in theory might have been cool...writing samples scrolling across the screen on what looks like a bookshelf of sorts but unfortunately it did weird things to my images.

    Okay, that about does it. Questions asked, answers most appreciated.

  8. lance
    Theme Wrangler

    (Though I'm not sure why you called it a "free themes" since Headlines isn't free.)

    Where does it say that?

    but can we use this theme for other blogs...without having to buy a copy each time?

    The cost is per theme, per site. So if you want it in other places you'd buy it again for the other site.

    1. Support is here on WP.com in a dedicated support forum only available to site owners who've purchased a theme. When you activate Headlines you will see a link to it in your Dashboard, or when you are on the Forums homepage.

    All the support is handled by the theme authors themselves, here on the WP.com forum.

    2. Refunds are the same as all our upgrades, 30 days.

  9. jennikeast
    Member

    RE: Though I'm not sure why you called it a "free themes" since Headlines isn't free.

    Sorry, I misread jennifer's post ... she said," like what is being done on some of the free themes."

    RE: One theme, one blog (site). Bummer! I actually asked that because many themes sellers/designers let you use one theme for more than one site! (That's what my initial research showed anyway.)

    So then I guess one has to think, "Gee (if "one" says "gee")...maybe I should go to WordPress.org and buy a template there for $35 that I can use on at least more than one blog site. (I have at least four blogs I'll be developing.) Sure, I will have to self host but maybe that's worth it? I'm just asking ... always open to different view points. :)

    RE: Support. LIke the fact that the theme designers themselves are helping you. That's the case with some WP. org blogs too, but certainly not all.

  10. thesacredpath
    Member

    If you think about self-hosting, make sure that the host you choose allows for multiple domain names on your one account. Most do, but some do not.

    Also, with 4 sites, you have to buy 4 domain names (unless you plan on having three of them as subdomains or subdirectories off the main domain name). 4 domain names at $15 per year would be $60 per year.

    Also realize that you would then have to take care of all installations, all upgrades, all backups and all troubleshooting on 4 blogs, even if you go with subdomains or subdirectories. Here wordpress.COM takes care of all the backend stuff and all you have to worry about is blogging. Take it from someone who is now managing the backend on 11 wordpress sites that this can be a good amount of work.

    Also, read all the fine print on the theme you want to use on the self-hosted blog. Not all theme designers allow you to use the theme on more than one site. I've got several installed on client sites where you are only allowed one installation. The theme itself is GPL, but the javascript, CSS and images used in the themes are under a different license, and that is how they can limit you to only using the theme on one side. You could use the base theme without all the javascript, CSS and the images on multiple sites, but all you would have would be a blank white theme with no styling and none of the bells and whistles.

  11. jennikeast
    Member

    Okay, well as always, SP, you have been very thorough (and clear) with your explanations. I really appreciate your input. :)

    All good things to consider for sure. Just curious, what do YOU think of the new Headline premium theme? Will WP be offering any more down the road or are they just waiting to see how well these two do?

  12. jennikeast
    Member

    P.S. One more thing. The lowdown on the Headlines theme stated that it featured a slider across the top that featured different posts. I didn't see that in the Preview. Should I be concerned or will it show up (or have it as an option) when I buy it?

  13. timethief
    Member

    @jenniyeast
    I see you asked a quaestion of TSP but want to waded in.

    Will WP be offering any more down the road or are they just waiting to see how well these two do?

    We Volunteers don't have a clue what may happen next. We Volunteers don't have any information above and beyond what any other members have. Auttomatic is monetizing WordPress.com and will be rolling out products that they think they can find customers for just like any other business does.

  14. macmanx
    Happiness Engineer

    Will WP be offering any more down the road or are they just waiting to see how well these two do?

    We hope to expand the collection of themes on WordPress.com in a big way in 2011. Look for a significant number of both free and premium themes coming your way this year.

    The lowdown on the Headlines theme stated that it featured a slider across the top that featured different posts. I didn't see that in the Preview. Should I be concerned or will it show up (or have it as an option) when I buy it?

    It's definitely there, but has to be enabled via theme options after activating. You can see it in action at our demo: http://headlinesdemo.wordpress.com/

  15. jennikeast
    Member

    Hey, Time Thief I know you're a volunteer (and a very dedicated one at that) but as you can see, staff people appear on these forums every once in awhile too. (Like macmanx just did.) So, that is why I threw that question out there. :)

    Speaking of who ... thanks Mac for the link. It will be exciting to see all the new themes that come up. I probably will take one of my blogs and try and play with it on a WP.org self-hosted site just to see the difference. Eventually I have to have a web site (I have 23 domains!) so I will have a landing pad for all my blogs and other creative projects.

  16. thesacredpath
    Member

    @jennikeast, having MacManX around here so much is actually more an exception than the rule. For the most part, we can go many weeks without seeing any evidence of a staff presence here in the forums (except for Lance and the theme team, but they stick with theme forum for the most part).

    Staff says they monitor the forums, but they have learned to walk on rice paper without leaving a trace, so we never know if or when they are here, or even if they are.

  17. macmanx
    Happiness Engineer

    Having MacManX around here so much is actually more an exception than the rule. For the most part, we can go many weeks without seeing any evidence of a staff presence here in the forums.

    I'm trying to change that. ;)

  18. thesacredpath
    Member

    I'm glad of that, it's nice having you around for the questions we volunteers really cannot answer.

  19. jennikeast
    Member

    Where's that support I was told I'd have as a Premium customer? I can find no special section for Premium users! I bought Headlines, clicked on Help and it just takes me to the general forum. I need help! I activated the sliders but there is HUGE white space between the bottom of the slider and the next static post. This is a real problem.

    Lance, you said:

    "Support is here on WP.com in a dedicated support forum only available to site owners who've purchased a theme. When you activate Headlines you will see a link to it in your Dashboard, or when you are on the Forums homepage.

    All the support is handled by the theme authors themselves, here on the WP.com forum."

  20. macmanx
    Happiness Engineer

    At Appearance -> Themes in your Dashboard, you'll see the following under the active theme description:

    "Need some help? Visit the Premium Themes support forum to get expert advice."

    You can click the "Premium Themes support forum" link to be taken directly to the private support forum.

  21. justjennifer
    Member

    @macmanx-Perhaps it would also be wise to put a very large sticky at the top of these forums for those having difficulty finding the Premium support forum. Also, I see there is now a Support doc for Premium themes http://en.support.wordpress.com/themes/premium-themes/ but it seems to point people to the regular Support forums for assistance.

    (BTW-speaking of stickies, are all the stickies at the top of the forum front page still needed? Has the Datacenter issue been resolved? What about the HTML markup topic?)

  22. macmanx
    Happiness Engineer

    I believe the plan is to find a good balance between hidden and visible.

    There is a large notice that pops up when the theme is purchased, a similar notice exists below the theme on the Appearance page, and there's also the "Premium Themes" forum section visible only to users who have purchased a premium theme to the left on the main forums page.

    As many of our users probably won't be purchasing premium themes, a prominent link to a private forum that merely redirects to the main forum for non-approved users may cause more confusion than it solves.

    As for the stickies, that's a good question. I think it's definitely time for a cleanup.

  23. justjennifer
    Member

    Then perhaps in the Support doc on Premium Themes, it should specifically say something to that effect. At the moment, it just links to the regular Support forums. Sometimes you have to let people know what it is they're looking for. :)

    Besides, if you change the link in that Support doc to link directly to the Premium support forum, I would assume that it would redirect to the main forums if that person hasn't purchased a Premium theme. Just a thought...

  24. macmanx
    Happiness Engineer

    That's actually a great idea. :)

    I'll see what we can do.

  25. djleekee
    Member

    This theme looks relly clean and useful but I do have a few questions before purchasing:-

    1)is it only the footer that allows widgets or can i put them in the side bars aswell?
    2)how do the excerpts work on this theme? are there many options?

    Also ive been looking at creating a template from scratch and have been looking at Headway Theme and their videos make it look really simple. My blog needs a makeover but cant decide which direction to go down....

    Thanks for reading.
    Lee
    http://www.djleekee.co.uk

  26. macmanx
    Happiness Engineer

    justjennifer, the link has been changed as requested. Thanks!

    djleekee, 1. Yes, there is also a sidebar widgets area.

    2. The featured posts are excepts, and the other home page posts are full content (unless you use the more tag) by default. You can see an example at http://headlinesdemo.wordpress.com/

    There is an option to enabled/disable auto-excerpts on both the home page and the archives.

  27. justjennifer
    Member

    @macmanx Excellent! Works as advertised. :)

  28. djleekee
    Member

    Sounds extremly tempting! I know there is a preview - but as i dont host any of my images on wordpress (i do them via flickr) the preview all looks a bit boring and plain!

    Can we try and then if not happy get a refund if its not as editable and flexible as we are led to believe? (not suggesting that you are saying things that it doesnt actually do!)

    PS loving the demo!

  29. macmanx
    Happiness Engineer

    Yes, premium themes are eligible for a 30-day full refund. Please feel free to try it out! :)

  30. jennikeast
    Member

    djleekee... I would, perhaps, read this thread thoroughly before making your purchasing decision. As you can this theme as what I consider to be a few major (and minor) glitches.

    If you don't care about: (A) not actually being able to feature more than 3 or 4 posts without causing there to be a huge amount of white space on your home page (B) not being able to read the categories listed in the top navigation bar, because they are practically ghosted out, (C) not be able to have the title of your blog scroll all the way to the right and (D) not be able to read the subhead because the font is too tiny then you will like this theme.

    I'm not being negative ... I really do like the look of this theme and WANT it to work which is why I'm waiting for the developer of this theme to get back with me to tell me he can fix all these issues with the main one being the issue of too much white space.

    I would want someone to give me honest feedback as I am giving you so that they (you) can make an informed decision. Hope this helps!

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