If you DO NOT have a host or domain, please use BLUEHOST.COM (affiliate link). And you will need one; can’t use wordpress.com.
I have four video tutorials from the moment you register for a domain to actually customizing the theme’s control panel. Sweet? Sweet.
If you have any questions, please use the contact form and someone will assist you.
Let’s begin.
1. Registering Your Own Domain Name
You could use other domain name servers, but I am demonstrating with Bluehost.
2. Setting Up FTP
This allows you to transfer files from your computer to your server.
3. Setting Up an SQL Database
You will need a database to store all of the information, posts, pictures and etc.
Customizing The Theme
You will not need to understand codes to customize this theme, it’s all click click click!
If you encounter a message that reads, “Error establishing a database connection,” please check the file configurations. You should:
- login via FTP and download the wp-config.php file
- right click / command click and open with a word editor
- check the database name, user, password, localhost per the information provided on your host control panel
You can reference the videos above for help. Otherwise, your host provider should be more than happy to assist. If you wish to commission an independent contractor, email tofurious.staff [at] gmail.com and they will connect you with someone.
During downloads, the file might be unzipped into a folder with lots of files. Don’t worry. You have two options.
- Right click (PC) or command+click (Mac) and create “archive,” then upload via dashboard
- Upload the unzipped folder via FTP to “wp-content/themes” folder
Both methods will yield the same result.
In the event that you’re trying to upload the theme file via WordPress dashboard and it doesn’t work (or lags forever), try the following…
- Double click the zipped theme file and unzip the contents into a tofurious theme folder
- Login via FTP and locate the folder wp-content/themes
- Upload the tofurious theme folder (and all of its content) into step #2′s folder via FTP
- Go to your WordPress dashboard, hit Appearance – Themes – Activate Tofurious theme
Install the WP125 plugin and you’ll be able to upload your own ads and monitor the number of click through. Note: This is only for 3.2 (two column blog theme)
If you wish to turn off the ads, there is a radio button right under the logo upload area in “Tofurious Theme Options.”
Default – Rotator Images, Banner, etc. Try This First!
There are instances where the rotator does not seem to be aligned. Or your Options page will go to the index. Or…
First, update your WordPress, then try using FireFox. Next, deactivate all plugins. Since the Options Page uses AJAX, an existing plugin might be conflicting.
If you got the theme before December 29, 2011, then please visit this page for detailed instructions. Basically, you have to update the functions.php file because WordPress 3.3 has some redundant javascript libraries.
3.2 Two Columns – functions.php
3.3 One Column – functions.php
The default design is currently to intentionally reduce choices and control navigation for users. However, should you want to customize the menu area, you will have to a tiny bit of coding. Go to Appearance – Editor – header.php and do the following -
The green area demonstrates how to add a new link. You will have to add it in between the white marks (basically not within any of the blue sections). If you’d like to move or delete the archives or categories (or etc.) delete any of the blue sections, but do so completely (from white breaker to white breaker).
The banner uses a javascript code that can be easily edited. Under “Appearance” click on “Editor” and find “header.php”. Every 1000 = 1 second; it’s currently set for 3000, which is 3 seconds.
You can also change the transition speeds, so that it’s less abrupt (but I like it the way it is).
If you wish to disable the excerpt posts on the index, just click “disable.”
When you add a new post, go to the bottom and you will see an area that looks like below. Click on upload and add a new image. Be sure that the dimensions are max 555px by 370px. If not, it will potentially break the theme preview box.
This is only for version 3.3.
WordPress 3.1 Update Breaks Admin
As of March 01, 2011, WordPress rolled out an update that conflicts with Tofurious Admin Page in themes 3.2 and 3.3. To remedy this, the following are some simple steps.
- Download the following zipped file.
- Extract the javascript file from ui.slider.js.zip.
- Login via FTP for your blog and locate the theme folder (usually /wp-content/themes/tofurious-32 [or 33]/js/.
- Change the current ui.slider.js to ui.slider.js.old; this allows you to revert back to the old file if anything goes wrong.
- Copy the newly downloaded ui.slider.js file and upload it to the folder.
That’s it!
I encourage you to add widgets to help users with navigation! Simply go to “Widgets” under “Appearance” and add them to the four potential columns.
Archive – Display Monthly / Yearly
In the archives, months are displayed by default. However, if you have been blogging for a while, you might want to change to annually. To do so, go to Appearance – editor – header.php and change monthly to yearly under the “Archives” area.
Distorted Image Sizes
Some of you might have had a blog that allowed for larger image formats. If you’re trying to switch out, a way to avoid re-uploading all images is by removing the forced dimensions.
- In your posts, hit the “HTML” tab
- Delete all height and width dimensions
I didn’t favor shadows at the time, which is why I did not think of adding it in the current versions. However, it’s not difficult to add. Please follow the instructions below.
- Login to your WordPress Dashboard – Appearance – editor – header.php
- Right under <body>, add the following line:
<div id=”grad”> - Then find footer.php and add the following as the very last lines:
</div>
<!– grad ends –> - Then find style.css and add the following codes at the very bottom
#grad {
background: url(‘http://tofurious.com/images/theme-gradient.png’) repeat-y center;
}
That should do it! Now, the current gradient is under the aforementioned URL. If you want to change it, download it, edit it, and upload your own image AND rewrite the URL location (in step #4). Make sure it’s a png or gif file because they’re the only types that allow for transparency.
If you encounter a message that looks like the following when uploading a banner, it’s probably due to your host operating on php4.
<h1 style=”color: rgb(10, 50, 140); font-size: 1em;”>Error 500 – Internal server error</h1> <p style=”font-size: 0.8em;”>An internal server error has occured!<br>Please try again later.</p>
If your host supports php5, then you can add the following code at the top of your .htaccess file that can be accessed in your host directory. You may ask your host admin for further help on this issue.
AddType x-mapp-php5 .php
Should you get any error messages like the following, please refer to here.
<b>Warning</b>: basename() expects parameter 1 to be string, object given in <b>/…
Depending on your server host, some do not set the file permissions setting to “755.” Therefore, you must change it yourself. Login via FTP and change the file permissions manually to the folders that are required for editing or uploading.
In this case, “2011″ is one folder and perhaps “01″ for January need to be changed (depending on your setup).
To maximize loading times, it is pertinent to save images in small sizes without jeopardizing quality.
A. If you are mass batching a single folder of images, then follow the next two steps in Photoshop.
B. If you are saving individual images for the web, then follow the next two steps in Photoshop.
Hired Help
I understand that some of you might not have the time to install a WordPress blog or theme. Email me and I can refer someone who can do it for a small creative fee.
Make sure you present them with a receipt of purchase and hosting / domain name ready to expedite your process.
