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1. caetem
   Member
   Apr 25, 2012, 2:09 AM

   Hi there,

   This is really a comment and complaint as much as a query, as WordPress is only answering queries from users with upgrades.

   I recently changed my theme to Inuit Types, which has a magazine-style format. I have one featured post running across two columns. This includes a picture as a featured image and is meant to draw the attention of readers to the latest blog entry. But there are loads of basic formatting issues with this theme option that you'd think would have been ironed out while the theme was being developed.

   The spacing between the lines of the text is too small, making the text hard to read.

   The picture is above the text, which looks awkward and makes it harder for readers to focus on the text.

   There is a space and a '0' after the text, which is meant to indicate readership or something; it's on all the blog entries shown, but it just looks wrong on the featured blog entry because of the large type.

   The picture is already inserted in the blog entry, but I wanted it to appear as part of the featured blog entry. However, now that I've done that, it appears twice on the actual entry page.

   What I don't understand is why all the blog entry intros shown, including the featured one, don't just pick up the image that's in the entry and show it automatically, rather than the user having to specify an image - who wouldn't want to include an image on all the blog entry intros in a magazine style format, whether the entry is featured or not?

   Is this a ploy of WordPress - providing second rate, poorly developed themes for free, with no support, so that users will go for the paid ones?

   I am used to Blogger, which is very user-friendly especially for those without coding skills. It seems to me that WordPress offers more variety than Blogger but doesn't care about the bugs and quirks in individual themes unless you're paying for it.

   I'm pretty sure I can't iron these quirks out myself?

   Any comments appreciated, especially on how to get rid of the double picture dilemma.

   Thanks a lot.

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

2. justpi
   Member
   Apr 25, 2012, 3:55 AM

   Themes have varying features, and users have varying preferences, so no theme can completely please every user: you select a theme if you like the majority of its features, otherwise you select a different one.

   Most of what you're saying is just your personal likes and dislikes, not "formatting issues", "bugs" or "poor" design choices that need "ironing out".

   a) "The spacing between the lines of the text is too small".
   You mean the line-height of the title (if it's more than one line long): you're right about that.

   b) "The picture is above the text, which looks awkward and makes it harder for readers to focus on the text."
   That's just your opinion; other users don't necessarily share that opinion. The font-size is large, and set against a dark background, so I don't agree it's hard to focus on it.

   c) "There is a space and a '0' after the text, which is meant to indicate readership or something; it's on all the blog entries shown, but it just looks wrong on the featured blog entry because of the large type."
   Yes, it indicates the number of comments. Wrong? Again, just your opinion. It will look less 'wrong' once you'll have comments on your posts and visitors will see varying numbers instead of zeros.

   d) "The picture is already inserted in the blog entry, but I wanted it to appear as part of the featured blog entry. However, now that I've done that, it appears twice on the actual entry page."
   Doesn't have to: you set it as a featured image without also inserting it in the post; just make sure you have selected the option "Show a featured image on single posts" in Appearance > Theme Options.

   e) "What I don't understand is why all the blog entry intros shown, including the featured one, don't just pick up the image that's in the entry and show it automatically, rather than the user having to specify an image".
   Two reasons. First, regularly inserted images can be any size and aspect ratio, but the frame for featured images has fixed dimensions, so you're encouraged to use properly sized images as featured images (smaller images will leave too much empty bg space, as in your current featured post, larger ones will be cropped). Second, as I already said, you can't please everybody: a post can have more than one image; some other themes do pick an image automatically, and then users complain they don't have control over which image is picked up...

   f) "I'm pretty sure I can't iron these quirks out myself?"
   You can, but only if you have the Custom Design upgrade.

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