Q: What's better than a new theme on Thursday?
A: Scotch. And also, infinite new themes.
I'm pleased to introduce our latest (and greatest!) theme: Chameleon. It's not much to look at on the surface. But like the crafty creature with whom it shares its namesake, there's far more than meets the eye. A leopard can change its spots, and you can now completely redecorate your Outside Blog — Chameleon supports complete and transformative customization via CSS.
After selecting the Chameleon theme, you'll notice a new "CSS Styling" menu item. This allows you to provide custom CSS which will be used to beautify your existing Outside Blog. As a bonus, you also have access to your uploaded header and sidebar images. Simply use {{ header_image_url }} and {{ sidebar_image_url }} — these special tokens will be automatically converted to URLs.
Is this theme incredibly geeky? Yes. Writing CSS requires a high level of competency in web development. Can you use this theme without knowing anything about CSS? Yes! As people start to develop and share themes, you'll be able to spruce up your Outside Blog without lifting a finger. Know a "tech guy"? Ask for some help tweaking the appearance of your Outside Blog. Looking to go hog wild? Hire a local developer to craft a custom design for you.
Chameleon is still in beta. HTML in overhead bins may shift during the flight. Documentation is non-existent. But a mountain is climbed one step at a time, assuming you don't have a helicopter. You now have the unprecedented ability to harness the incredible power of an Outside Blog while simultaneously maintaining your own unique look and feel. Enjoy!
Jorgen,
I'm scared - that competency thing - but off to explore.
That is just the coolest damn thing ever!
Sounds perfect!
I'm going to use it just because it has a super-cool icon. Everything else is just bonus. ;)
Oaky....so does this mean I have to learn more stuff?
I have NO idea about CSS. I guess I will wait and see what happens.
My significant other has a pair of pants we call chameleon pants because they change colors. He thought they were brown and the first time I saw them I thought "why's he wearing gray pants with brown shoes?"
One of my blogs is now wearing chameleon http://discovercolumbusoh.com/ the other is still wearing the brokerage (Real Living) theme.
I had an opportunity recently to go to something about learning CSS but was not able to. I am probably NOT geeky enough to do "chameleon" but I am going to try. If I look like a dork I will just change themes again. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
Do not know what CSS is or stands for... just another blog that makes me realize I have so much to learn and hopefully not suffer through the process of application.
My gosh, Jorgen. You just made my head spin. English, please!
Thanks for the info.
POW!!!! That's what I'm talking about! :-) Looks like is may be time for a CSS post.... This is great Jorgen, nice job!
Umm...can you write in English? Just kidding - CSS is over my head at this point, but I have a sneaking feeling that I may be learning more about it in the near future.
OK...of to the trenches...and off to more learning.
Bettina
I've used the new theme to refresh the look of my Outside Blog at minormissives.com. I know that we've got more than a few CSS-savvy members in the "rain", and I can't wait to see what they come up with.
Well, I have a feeling I will be reading more CSS posts in the future, Jorgen. I'll have to up my "tech geek" factor to find out more about it. I'm just starting to get the hang of html code right now (at least, just enough to be dangerous and get myself out of some sticky situtations).
I think I need a translator for this one, or a secret decoder ring.
Thanks for giving us some design flexibility, Jorgen. I'm looking forward to playing with this.
Omigosh - this is awesome. I have a Wordpress blog with CSS. I am going to figure out how to implement it! Woot!
Jorgen: This sounds interesting and a little intimidating at the same time.. I will explore this.. Thanks !!!
Cool, Jorgen. But not sure i have time to try to take on yet another learning experience. We'll see. Maybe I'll wait til others try it and get the kinks worked out.
Jeff
This is sweet...
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can't wait to play with this! You guys ROCK!
Ok Jorgen My head is officially spinning now...lol Gotta look into though for sure. thanks for giving me more learning material...lol
Hi Jorgen -- Very cool and I'm sure end users will appcreciate the visuals.
I am such an IDIOT when it comes to tech things. Anything technical,and I mean ANYTHING, and/or electrical, involving math, reconciling bank statements, even folding laundry . . . I'm a dolt, with a capital D.
I don't like changing burned out light bulbs, if that gives you a clue on how I can't stand electrical work. The only thing I know about my car is where the key goes and sometimes I can even remember the correct side the fuel tank is located.
I can switch on my computer, and the first time I bought a laptop, and couldn't get Internet, I took it back to the Geek Squad, only to have them laugh AT me (not with me) when that little button at the top was orange, and when pressed it changed to blue -- which meant I had Internet access. DUH!!
I am a red-head, but I SWEAR I think I must have some really deep blonde roots.
So when you said Thursday was for SCOTCH . . . I thought we were going to have a drinking game started!
However, I'm a GREAT Real Estate Agent! And I will TRY to learn this new thing, goobledy goo, so I can impress people with my techno-savy skills.
(Seriously, I'll just end up paying Kyle, my web guy, to do it!)
I wrote a blog just to prove the point: LOL of the Day . . . Goes to ME!
Things STUPID people do with their computers. A funny read!
http://activerain.com/blogsview/1093906/lol-of-the-day-goes-to-me-
Never came tell what these AR bloggers will come up with next!
Alright,, I've got to check this out. Always something new. Thank you.
Jordan, I know about CSS on KompoZer and know how important it is to be sure the appearance is the same across the multiple platforms on the web, so thanks for this! Also, thanks for a terrific 2009. We know you have been working hard behind the scenes to make AR better all the time. Happy New Year!