Time For A New Theme
You’ve no doubt noticed that I’ve been pretty silent this past week. It’s because I’ve been hard at work modifying my new theme. It’s called WP-Vybe and designed by the very talented Michael Pollock of Solostream. This is the second theme of his that I’ve used on MeAndMyDrum. What do you think of it?
Actually, while WP-Vybe has a lot — and I mean a lot — of color schemes to choose from, I decided to put my own personal touch to it, which is something I believe every blogger should do if they have the means. With tons of WordPress themes available on the Web, it’s important to distinguish yourself from the crowd. Hopefully, you’ll think I’ve done an appropriate job with the modifications I’ve made to it.
In a future post, I will be explaining more about the features of this very configurable theme.
Very soon, I’ll be holding another contest where you can win a license to WP-Vybe — three different licenses in fact! So stay tuned.
If you have a moment, I’d appreciate any constructive criticisms you may have or if you see anything that might be out of whack (I think I caught them all).
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About the Author: Mark Sierra is an online entrepreneur and web publisher. As the owner of StarFrost Media, he continues to add blogs and products to his online portfolio designed to help inform readers on software and blogging, teach them to be more productive, and even learn how to make money online.
Christine Senter | Sep 5, 2008 | Reply
Hey Mark,
Love the new digs. Very nice. I really like the color scheme of the header, as well as that cool design.
Very clean site. Nice job.
Christine Senters last blog post..Writing the Cinquain
Jarret | Sep 5, 2008 | Reply
Not too bad man, I was expecting something closer to what you had on your sandbox
I like the layout except for the latest post and featured articles section on the home page. I am not too sure but that gradient sticks out like a sore thumb to me.
The yellow/orange sidebar headers are bright and definitely get my attention. My eyes keep wanting to move over there and kind of detract from the main content.
I like everything else though, didn’t mean to sound harsh and put down your new theme. Forgive me?
Jarrets last blog post..Is YOUR Blog Worth MY Time?
Mark Sierra | Sep 5, 2008 | Reply
@Christine
I hope you know that means a lot to me that you say that.
Mark Sierra | Sep 5, 2008 | Reply
@Jarret
Hehe, no problem.
Yeah, that gradient may be something I change eventually. I haven’t let the dust settle yet. And the bright bars on the right seem to be doing the trick if they’re grabbing your attention. I had a stroke of inspiration after creating the first header that you saw. This one seems to flow a bit better.
Thanks for the comments. I’ll still be making a few tweaks here and there, so you may see some additional improvements over the next week or so.
Matthew | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Looks great, make sure to tell me when you get a contest up
Matthews last blog post..Win The New Jamie Kennedy’s Heckler DVD
Garry Conn | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Nice work man… you’ll like the SEO in this much better than the other. The other one looked good but this one will perform much better for you. Plus it looks killer too.
Garry Conns last blog post..… and then there were four
Zath | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Hey mate, the new theme is looking good, bet you’ve spent a fair bit of time on it already.
I’d agree about the frontpage gradient not quite looking *right*, not sure what else to say about it!
The only other thing I’d say is I’m not a big fan of the bright yellow headings in the sidebar, it’s just a personal preference I guess. They do catch the eye (obviously the point), but I’d have personally preferred some bright red headings to match the top heading.
Other than that, I think it all looks cool man!
Zaths last blog post..Papershow Review
Kyle Eslick | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Hi Mark,
I really love the new setup. I know you’ve been hard at work getting this personalized and I think you’ve done a great job.
I actually setup a site the other day using this theme on one of my unused domains and it took only a few minutes to get everything setup. I definitely recommend it to your readers!
Kyle Eslicks last blog post..WordPress News & Notes - September 5, 2008
Madhur Kapoor | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
The theme really looks great and the header is awesome.
Madhur Kapoors last blog post..Capture Screenshots of Websites with Fireshot
Mark Sierra | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
@Matthew
Thanks! And I have you on my list of contest sources, so I’ll be sure to let you know when I’m starting the contest.
@Garry
I’m glad that you like it, too! It also has a sitemap page feature that I’ll be employing shortly, so I’m sure that will help as well. And btw, congratulations again on the arrival of your new baby boy!
@Zath
Thanks for your comments! Yeah, looks like I’ll have to rethink those yellow headings in the sidebar. I’m sure there’s a way to make them stand out, but not overly so.
@Kyle
Thanks for stopping by, buddy! Yes indeed, this theme is very easy to setup. And I should reiterate to everyone that the only reason it took me this long was because it was my choice to do so. I’d take the same approach with any theme I use, it’s just something I do to make things more personalized.
shawal | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Nice new theme Mark….
Can’t wait your next contest…
shawals last blog post..DotComDud First Blog Contest
BloggerContests | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Looks great
especially the header red design and sidebar yellowish colour….I think you will have more requests to display ads in your site from now on 
BloggerContestss last blog post..Sep 23:Win 10 $ and 2000 EC
Mark Sierra | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
@shawal
I appreciate that! Thanks!
@BloggerContests
Hehe, yeah, I’m giving that some thought. Maybe make it a little more subtle, but still noticeable.
bm | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
… looks GOOD!
Mark Sierra | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
@bm
Hi there! Glad you like it.
Olivier @ brainwave meditation | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
A great theme. I only miss the related posts. This has increased the page veiws on my blog. Maybe something to try.
Olivier @ brainwave meditations last blog post..5 Tips to get the most out of your brainwave meditation session.
Mark Sierra | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
@Olivier
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! I have a plugin that I just haven’t taken the time to activate and tweak, but will definitely keep that on my list.
Dennis Edell | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Oops sorry about that.
Very nice indeed. I’ve been gone for a while so I don’t recall the last one, but I love the color combos…something I’ve never been good at personally, always outsourced
Dennis Edells last blog post..A Personal Message To All My Readers - Sincere Apologies For Unavoidable Disappearance
Navjot Singh | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Great looking theme. One thing I didn’t like is drop down menu for tags? Strange. How would that be useful for anybody to browse using. Instead a tag cloud of maybe 15 more used tags would be better.
Navjot Singhs last blog post..Yahoo! Mash Shutting Down
Mark Sierra | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
@Dennis
Thanks for the compliment!
Hehe, no problem.
@Navjot
About the tags, it’s funny you mention that. I never really warmed up to the idea of displaying tags in a tag cloud, but I’ve recently started considering it more. Thanks for reminding me.
Normal Joe | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Where have I been
How did I miss this? I’ve been slacking man I apologize lol
I love it though dude…keep up the great work!
Normal Joes last blog post..How To Benefit From Product Launches
Mark Sierra | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
@Normal Joe
LOL No worries, man. I just launched it, so you’re right on time.
Normal Joe | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Cool, I thought I was late or something!
Normal Joes last blog post..How To Benefit From Product Launches
SuiteJ | Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
Lookin’ good over here on Mac and FF3 man! I’ll have to keep checking so I can win a copy.
I opted for your domain secrets too. It was “right there”, so I felt obligated.
lol
Cheers man!
Jay
SuiteJs last blog post..Flippin’ Fridays: 7 Ways To Ruin Your Reputation As A Website Flipper
K-IntheHouse | Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
Looks great Mark! It’s showing your own touch again here and as you said that’t very important for a blog to have that unique feel. Look forward to the contest too.
K-IntheHouses last blog post..How to Install Google Chrome in Linux with Wine
Mark Sierra | Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
@SuiteJ
Yes, my evil plan worked! LOL
Thanks!
@K
I appreciate it, buddy!
Mark Sierra | Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
@Madhur
Sorry for the late reply. For some reason your comment got caught in my spam queue.
Thanks for the kind words!
Bruno Auger | Oct 9, 2008 | Reply
I love how clean the layout is. I was thinking of a redesign for my owb log soon.
Bruno Augers last blog post..Basic Computer Lingo