How to Theme WordPress: From Blank to Beautiful in 2 Hours Whether you are learning how to theme WordPress for your own use, or to offer your theme design services for hire, or to even build a brand of WordPress themes to distribute to the masses, this DVD shows you how to get started theming the popular WordPress and to get results quickly. In just a matter of 2 hours, you will learn the process of going from a blank page in your web browser to a fully-functional WordPress theme, including how to integrate your own unique graphics. Sit and watch as Aleks Monahan from the WEB|CMS Squad teaches you tremendously valuable information that will build your skills and open doors to new opportunities. No need to spend days or weeks trying to figure out all pieces of the puzzle. WordPress is one of the most popular CMS platforms in today's Web 2.0 world, and its popularity is only increasing. Not only is WordPress popular, but also WordPress custom theming projects are bid anywhere from $200 to $2,000 or more on the freelance networks, and those who have the WordPress theming skills guard their knowledge like Fort Knox. Join those who can, and start theming WordPress today. |
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 So much more than I expected. Very pleased! |
| Review Date: January 7, 2009 |
| Reviewer: C. Parks, Florida |
I bought this DVD based on seeing various free/promotional clips from the same DVD on the 'Net.
Highly recommended. I expected just to learn about the workings of a Wordpress theme so I could modify other people's themes -- but instead, after watching this DVD a few times (and letting it run all day, on repeat, in the background while i was working), I know have an excellent grasp of CSS and have built my OWN themes -- instead of modifying others and not being satisfied with the results.
The first half of the DVD explains the workings of basic CSS, so if you already know HTML and have wanted to learn CSS, I can' think of a better start than this DVD. It's a fact Wordpress themes rely heavily on CSS, so even if you may not like learning something new, what you learn about CSS from this DVD will be extremely valuable.
The second half of the DVD covers theme creation from beginning-to-end (and it includes very specific information on a lot of Wordpress features that many web-based tutorials leave out).
If you learn visually and have tinkered with Wordpress themes at the source level (even if you didn't know exactly what you were doing, meaning trial and error) then this DVD will be one of your BEST purchases ever. You will learn a lot! Everything is broken down step-by-step and the results/changes are highlighted on the video in real time so you can actually SEE the results.
BTW, I did not buy any Wordpress theme-related books to go along with this DVD. The DVD is enough. You don't need to buy an extra book, IMHO.
In sum: How to Theme WordPress: From Blank To Beautiful in 2 Hours by Aleks Monahan is highly recommended. This is one computer-related resource that won't simply sit on the shelf unused or unviewed --- you'll be very happy with this DVD. |
Buy this one with Tessa Silver's "WordPress Theme Design"
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| Review Date: December 13, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Mike, San Jose, CA |
I agree with the reviewers who recommend purchasing this together with WordPress Theme Design: A complete guide to creating professional WordPress themes. Aleks Monahan takes a straight-forward, direct approach, and gets right into it. There's no fluff, just two hours of straight-ahead teaching. If you're familiar with the training videos on Lynda.com, you'll know what to expect here. Monahan explains that the "screen shots with narration" approach works best because her intention is to give as much value and teaching as possible. I've seen it done both ways...including training videos in which the camera spends half the time focused on the smiling faces of the hosts. I prefer Monahan's approach.
You are told at the beginning that Web | CMS Squad is already working on the advanced edition of this DVD. I agree with Monahan when she states that you need to be familiar and comfortable with the concepts before you tackle design masterpieces. If you want the basics, they're here. If you want to start cranking out blogs that are inspired by the advanced CSS masters in The Zen of CSS Design: Visual Enlightenment for the Web (Voices That Matter), it's not going to happen overnight. Buy this, buy the Silver book, put in the hours, be patient, and get ready for the sequel. |
It was worth the money to me!
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| Review Date: May 29, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Betty Besio, |
I've been hovering around CSS and Wordpress for a while but it all seemed hazy. This video clarified how to translate the design comp areas into divs in a way I hadn't grasped through Css podcasts or books. That made the video valuable to me. It's not that I don't care about quality of the video (I AM a Mac user), it's just that I feel the information transcended the presentation. I will try to make my designs prettier but at least now I know how to approach the problems I'm going to face.
As for quibbling about the approach to the index page, I would probably break it out into header and footer files to conform to WP protocol but I think that's a minor issue.
I was very happy with my purchase and would recommend the video as the first approach if someone wants to design their own theme. |
Pretty Good
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| Review Date: March 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: David A. Cleveland Jr., |
| I've read the other reviews and I agree with most everything everyone else has to say, including some of what the gentleman from Michigan said. For me, it did exactly what I needed it to do, it introduced me to theming Wordpress in a very straightforward, no nonsense kinda way. I think that it was slightly overpriced, but considering how long it would have taken me to research and read up on that information myself, the cost was reasonable. I will likely get a book to compliment this DVD and did a little deeper into the areas that were left out. If you've never created a theme for Wordpress and have trouble learning straight from a book, this DVD will certainly benefit you. If you're at a more advanced level with CSS, PHP and HTML there is probably only a few things you'll learn from it. Overall, it's excellent for a beginner but not really meant for someone with advanced knowledge. |
Learning to Create WordPress Themes Starts Here
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| Review Date: March 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: L. A. Winston-Tuggles, Chicago, IL USA |
I'm usually a skeptic about books and DVDs promising you can learn a subject in a matter of hours. Not in this case. I agree with the 5 star ratings. How to Theme WordPress: From Blank To Beautiful in 2 Hours by Aleks Monahan exceeded my expectations. It's an excellent primer if you want to learn basic HTML and get a firm understanding of CSS (the first half of the DVD).
Aleks instructions are easy and to the point. If you already know HTML and CSS, you can delve into creating WordPress Themes from scratch immediately after completing the second half of the DVD.
The instructions on how to install WordPress to your local server is very good as well. As for installing WordPress to your hosting server, most hosting companies offer an auto-installer that will install WordPress in seconds, or you can find a plethora of information on the web about installing WordPress to your hosting server.
This DVD hands down is a must for any beginner to CSS or anyone wanting to quickly learn how to created WordPress themes from scratch.
Thanks Web CMS Squad for a great product.
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