Quick start for WordPress Responsive Theme beginners!

MVM WP Responsive Theme Tips

Hello, this is Allan, I hope this post finds you well!

Once you have WordPress installed and have activated your "Responsive Theme" from ThemeID, what do you do next? Where do you start?

Here are some Responsive Theme Quick Start tips to get you up and running!

1. Log-In to your WP Dashboard and go to “Settings” then “General Settings”

Here is where you can verify your sites information such as your sites Title, Tagline, URL and Email address. Leave Member and New User as default for now and set your Time Zone and Date Formats. Make sure these are all correct and to your liking and save the changes if any.

2. Next click on the “Writing Settings” under Settings

These are usually good with the default settings for now unless you want to immediately start posting via email and updating posts services? Be sure to always save changes.

3. Next go to the “Reading Settings” under Settings

Here you change how your Front Page looks (either as a static page or blog page etc) and your Posts Settings (how many to display etc) and whether you want search engines to index your site or not. Be sure to always save changes.

4. Now go to the “Discussion Settings” under Settings

Leave everything as it is from default and add a checkmark next to “Before a comment appears”. You want to approve every comment posted to your site! Select “Gravatar Logo” at the bottom and save changes.

5. Next is the “Media Settings” under Settings

Leave everything as it is by default for now.

6. The last is the “Permalink Settings” under Settings

On the left select “Posts Name” under Common Settings and save changes.

7. Now go to the “Users” tab under Dashboard

To protect your site from hackers, change your user name from “admin” to something unique. Create your own username. Verify your email address and create a new password if you want. Experts recommend changing admin user name and creating a “strong” password at installation to help protect your website.

You can also assign new users and their settings here as well. Be careful not to allow everyone access to your site. Members should be screened and given only the authority you want them to have. Be sure to always save changes

Now you are ready to start enjoying the Responsive Theme and modifying its contents and templates. Check out my Blog on the

“Three WordPress Plugins I can’t live without” which will give you a huge jump start to creating amazing pages and posts!

More Tips Tools and Tutorials from Allan at MindvisionMedia.net!

View my latest WP Video Tutorials:

WordPress is one of the top rated Content Management Systems in the World. Fortune 500 companies and a large majority of corporate America are using WordPress. Get up to speed with my WP Learning materials and resources for Web Designers, WordPress Beginners, Blogger’s and Internet Entrepreneurs. Start Learning WordPress Now!
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By Allan Whitney
Owner/Administrator
MindVisionMedia.net

Responsive Theme Home Page Edit

Responsive WordPress Theme Home Page Slider, Google Search and Colophon Widget

For this tutorial I had fun modifying the Responsive WordPress Theme Home Page. I removed the default layout for the Main content and Featured content area's and put in a custom full width image slider and placed the Call to Action Button below the slider.

Before: Default Responsive Theme Home Page

It only took about 10-15 minutes for me to get it exactly how I wanted and my method got even easier as I dove deeper. I simplified method is to edit the Home PHP file and use the default theme options panel to add my slider in the Featured content area. This applies the settings already associated with the "Featured" content container which can accommodate text, images, video and other media formats.

A simple "shortcode" is added and viola, you have a beautiful wide featured image slider thanks to the Meteor Slides Plugin for WordPress. I wrote about this Plugin in my Blog post; "Three WordPress Plugins I can't live Without". I install this plugin very soon after installation since images are such an integral part of web design and with the popularity of the "Featured Image Slider" on websites these days, it just makes sense to have a tool that can afford me that option conveniently inside WordPress.

After: Responsive Theme Modified Home Page with Featured Slider

The added benefit of the Meteor Slides Plugin is that it is "responsive" so if you happen to be using a responsive theme, your images will be contained and sized along with the rest of your website on the many different viewing screens out today. 

I learned the hard way when I first started with WordPress, I installed a responsive theme and started adding plugins. I selected what seemed to be a good image viewer/slider plugin only to realize later that the images and slideshows were NOT responsive with the rest of my theme. thats when I learned about what responsive really means and I started making sure that any plugins I installed were "responsive" as well.

By removing the main content div and editing the remaining Featured content div and modifying its size and location, I managed to create a container that would accept and center an image slider with the dimensions I wanted. The end result was so smooth that I just had to create a video tutorial for my viewers and subscribers on YouTube and the response (no pun) has been great.

Check out the full tutorial at my YouTube Channel or at my Website

Written by
Allan Whitney
Owner/Administrator
MindVisionMedia.net

Three WordPress Plugins I can't live Without!

Ad for StudioPress Premium WordPress Themes

Imagine WordPress without plugins for a second, no really. Imagine having to do all the work you have done or are doing without the use of plugins..........

OK enough, I know, that was scary and that brings me to my post about the Three Plugins for WordPress I can't live Without.

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My Favorite WordPress Image Plugin:

"Meteor Slides" is probably my favorite plugin for WordPress. I create a variety of images in different widths and heights, I need different size slides or sliders for different pages and Meteor Slides provides that ability for me. They also do it "responsively" to coin the phrase. Their image sliders are responsive and adjust to the different screen formats on all the popular devices. When I first started using WordPress, I downloaded, installed and used a plugin for my image sliders that was not responsive although my Theme was.

I didn't notice it right away but it was brought to my attention rather soon. this is when I really started to understand the whole "responsive" thing, the web design practice, not the responsiveness of the plugin I'm talking about or the "Responsive Theme from ThemeID that I happen to love and use, but the responsive design practice that involves coding a website to adjust within the  users browser and to the aspect ratio and size of the screen.

Once I made the connection I started making sure that my plugins were "responsive" and would not break the constraints of my responsive theme. So far I have created many slideshows of different sizes and features. It is great for the main slider or home page slider and I like the different navigation options it offers for the viewer to control the slideshow or not. Since images are so much a part of every website, I definitely install this plugin soon after my installation and setup of WordPress. Check out the developer of Meteor Slides Josh Leuze

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My Favorite WordPress Sidebar Plugins:

I have to say with out a doubt that the "Sidebars & Widgets Manager Plugin" for WordPress is among my favorite plugins that I use to enhance WordPress! I love how versatile it is and the fact that I can create as many widgets as I need to make developing more simple. For instance, I have a widget for my Google AdSense Skyscraper Ad, I have a widget for my Google 336x280 Ad etc.

The code for these ad's or anything else I frequently use is already inside these widgets and they are ready to go. Whenever I need an Ad placement I just paste in the shortcode for that widget and the ad is there! This is very convenient for me during layout and placement and I don't care what Theme I am working on I install this plugin for sure.

It was created by OTWthemes.com and they have put some good thought into this one. There is a free version to start with but you will want the full version once you see how powerful it is.  You can also create horizontal widgets and assign widgets within widgets on every page or posts or just a select few or one. I couldn't use WordPress without a widget tool of some sort.

All of the code, scripts, javascript, php and so on that we have to implement within the theme interface to enhance our pages requires some kind of container or method of controlling where the code shows up and that is where this plugin saves the day.

To take FULL control over my Sidebars and Widgets, I installed another plugin on top of the Sidebars & Widgets Manager called "Custom Sidebars". This gives me total control and manipulation of my sidebars and widgets. I can show whichever sidebar I want on whichever page and replace the default sidebars in the widget area.

If I want a sidebar to show up on just the contact page, no problem, on each page or post editor you have the added option of choosing your "sidebar" for that page or post! Together, both sidebar plugins give me the versatility I need when planning a layout and placement of content. For more on Custom Sidebars, click here Javier Marquez.

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My Favorite WordPress Tools Plugin:

To round off my top WordPress Plugins selection is the "Black Studio TinyMCE Widget". Without this plugin I would not be using WordPress. I would just go back to creating websites in Dreamweaver. This plugin gives me the same editing controls and tools I use when editing a page or post right in front of me while editing the contents of my widgets! . And it allows me to add or remove tools I don't use or need based on demand. It reminds me of the tool options in Dreamweaver or Microsoft Word. The icons are right there and easy to access.

I can't even mention how many times I've used this plugin. It gives me the option of adding images or video to widgets. I can add formatting and paste in html in the HTML editor of the Black Studio TinyMCE Widget. I can do everything I can do to a page or post inside my Widgets and this makes for endless possibilities for Widgets in essence.

It's not just a box anymore with the standard Arbitrary Text and HTML Widget that comes with most themes. I have used this plugin to add video and images inside any widget I want. These developers were inside the minds of the blogger when it all began. Adding the text editing and media options in a "ribbon" is what every web design software package has, why not WordPress?

Some plugins even install their quick launch button inside the Black Studio TinyMCE Widget to make access easy. I haven't had any problems with this or any of the plugins I have mentioned. I know their are some who experience issues with plugin compatibility and conflict. That it is all dependent on what setup a person has, what theme and plugin combination they are using etc. Therefore in my opinion it can't be blamed on any one plugin baring a defect in the plugin. More on Black Studio here Black Studio
We all have to find that right combination of themes and plugins to give us what we want. To me thats where the fun is!


Written by
Allan Whitney
Owner/Administrator
MindVisionMedia.net

Learning WordPress Video Tutorial

Are you Learning WordPress? Are you tired of the so-called forums that are rude and condescending? Do you need WordPress Help? Want to know what the Best WordPress Plugins are? Need WordPress How To? Start using WordPress as a Website by visiting my WordPress Video Tutorial Page.

Get FREE basic WordPress Responsive Theme Video Tutorials at www.mindvisionmedia.net. You'll find tutorials that are patient, explanatory and will help you edit the Responsive Theme from ThemeID quickly and without hassle. You'll be up and running with a customized theme in no time!

Allan is very personable and helpful and will assist you in every way he can. He enjoys what he does and answers emails and posts in a timely manner so you get your site built without waiting a week or two for someone to tell you how to change the font size on your theme.

What are you waiting for? If you are a WordPress beginner, stop struggling and wasting time in egotistical forums that expect you to know PHP and CSS like the back of your hand.Get the answers you need that are directly related to your Responsive Theme modification.

I cover such topics in my Video Tutorials section as:

• Building a Website - The Steps to Take
• Editing the Responsive Theme Home Page content and Widgets
• Modifying the main and featured content area's
• Various Plugins that enhance the Responsive Theme
• How to add Google to your Site
• RSS Feeds made easy
• Responsive Theme "area" zone map
• Embedding and customizing YouTube Video
• Custom Banner Creation
• Adding additional Widgets

and more.... 

 [ Here's a sample WordPress Video Tutorial ]
"Responsive WordPress Editing Home Page Widgets 1, 2 and 3 w/BONUS tutorial"

Register to get your FREE downloads:
- "Build a Website - The Steps to Take"
- "Responsive WordPress Theme Area Zone Map Guidebook"

I look forward to seeing you there!

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Written by
Allan Whitney
Owner/Administrator
MindVisionMedia.net

Responsive WordPress Theme Zone Area Map

 

Responsive Theme "area"  Zone Map

I wish I had this when I first started! So I made one for those who need WordPress Help!

This post is about the WordPress Responsive Theme Zone Area map I created to help users of this WordPress Theme to understand the different areas referenced in the Widget area and also the page/post editor. Each sidebar in this theme has an "area" number for reference. Each area is pointed out in my illustrations and I give the corresponding Widget location and specific file to edit. Area's 1 through 11 are covered in these Illustrations. Download your FREE copy of this useful reference at www.mindvisionmedia.net/responsive-zones
I cover the Home Page and each of the Page Templates and show where the widgets are located and the corresponding location and file name. You get a 12-Page Illustration Booklet in PDF file format ready for download. Just visit my website and request for your FREE copy today.

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See Example Below:
This image shows the Home Page areas explained in detail. I even show the location and name of the widget and the php file you will need to edit to modify the content in the area you are working in. This is a handy tool for beginners and those new to the WordPress Responsive Theme from ThemeID. While editing or working in the Widget Manager, this guide will help you to know what areas are being effected with your changes and additions.

Description Includes:
Area#
Area Name
Area Location
Area related PHP File

Download your FREE copy of this useful reference at www.mindvisionmedia.net/responsive-zones


Written By
Allan Whitney
Owner/Administrator
www.MindVisionMedia.net

FREE for Web Beginners!

For Web Beginners:
Check out my new FREE eBook for beginner's called
"Build A Website - The Steps to Take"
Available now at mindvisionmedia.net. Just sign up for your copy to get a blueprint of what you need to know to establish a website and Internet presence.

This is a Great short introduction for those who know nothing about the web or Internet but want to get involved.

This short eBook explains the different types of websites, what you need first, what your choices are when it comes to hosting and domain names, etc. It's the perfect little quick reference for the newbie.
To get your copy go to www.mindvisionmedia.net and sign up now!

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Written by
Allan Whitney
Owner/Administrator
MindVisionMedia.net
All Rights Reserved

Responsive Web Design

Where would we be without the mighty WordPress in this fast expanding technologically driven society?
Responsive Web Design has become a fascinating frontier for both the advanced and the beginner in the past several years. With the onslaught of new devices that can access the Internet, the standard for web design has had to up its game. As a designer, you never know what type of device your visitors are going to be using to access your site or blog.

Couple that with the social media craze that has swept the world and you have a beautifully orchestrated symphony of innovation and content management working together to deliver content and allow people to stay in touch and in tune with the world around them. The power of WordPress responsive themes has allowed many to conform to this new standard with the ease and control of this incredibly powerful CMS.

With ready-to-go Themes already built on the cross-platform concept, it allows even the absolute beginner to have a web presence viewable to anyone, anywhere and on any device. If the process was strictly a coding process on the design level, there would be a lot of stress in the web design arena these days to convert or build a site that will conform to the new standards. The technical process for designing a responsive theme or site is still new and going through developmental changes that continue to improve the whole idea of cross-platform design, it just gets better and better each day.

This has rekindled the website community and opened up new jobs and careers for developers and designers alike to provide this innovative design technique to millions of businesses and individuals with a web presence. There’s a new product now called “responsive” that all existing websites must adapt to and this means sites all over the world must be converted and brought up to the new standards or they will become somewhat obsolete for the millions who rely on the Internet to research and navigate to products and services.

The convenience of viewing a site that is responsive without having to scroll or change view settings on your device will most certainly spoil the end-user over the years to come and sites that don’t adapt will be cumbersome and laborious to navigate and view on the many new devices and platforms.
Even site hosting companies have adapted and are offering web building tools and web building services that comply to the new standards and include social media adaptations.

No doubt the months and years to come will be amazing and thought provoking as technology bridges the communication and logistical gap that plagued us all in years past. Just think about the days of writing a letter and using snail mail, the phone booth or the pager and before! Now there is no excuse for not keeping in touch or finding out whatever you want to know about anything with just a couple of clicks! A big shout out to the WordPress community for getting us where we are today!

Get FREE WordPress Responsive Video Tutorials now at MindVisionMedia.net

Written by Allan Whitney
Owner/Administrator
MindVisionMedia.net

The Flash ActiveX Monopoly

For years the Flash ActiveX plugin has dominated the Internet with its proprietary control over the ability to view most of the Internets dynamic content. But those days are soon to be over as new open-source format technologies emerge such as HTML5, WebM and OGG. The predominant Flash plugin has done us well in terms of allowing us to view impressive dynamic content and video but the vulnerabilities and hassle of continuously updating the plugin and controlling the end-users ability to view most of the web without installing it are some of the reasons for its demise.

Not to mention that an entire community has been left out of the ability to use the plugin or view Flash content for years. Apple (Mac) users have had ongoing issues with Flash content and interfaces built on Flash platforms and the time has come for them to be able to view whatever they want without being inadvertently victimized and ridiculously excluded in this content war which involves Adobe, Microsoft and Apple. Now I don’t hate Flash, I use flash and have been using it for years to design, develop and present content, but allowing it to be the predominate platform through which everyone can view content on the free Internet is not in the best interest of the Internet community.