XenForo Styles

Silently Rolling out those Fancy WordPress Themes

Steve — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:21:52 +0000

Hey folks. First off: This post won’t really be aimed at everybody — only those of you whom have show an interest and request that I consider making a few matching WordPress themes to go with your XenForo styles. Well, I’ve finally managed to get the first one sorted: the XenBusiness theme for WordPress. The framework has taken what seems like forever to finish, but it’s been a handy learning experience, not to mention you do end up getting quite attached to after you’ve poured your heart and soul into something.

I’m eager to begin starting work on the XenGamer theme-equivalent next and then start brainstorming new designs for both XenForo and WordPress combined. I’m looking forward to supporting both platforms and providing quality templates that will really

Well, anyhoo, in order to make things as mind-numbingly simple as possible, I’ve made it so that any XenForo styles that have a matching WordPress theme available — it’ll have a huge clear-as-day pink box confirming it, as well as a link to a demo of the theme. You can check out the XenBusiness style page now and it’ll paint a much better picture for you.

I’m also offering a temporary trial price for WordPress themes. I have not yet finalized a price, but I’ve decided to slap a low price tag on the themes whilst I’m still thinking about it — the trial price is currently set at $19. I can’t guarantee these prices will be around forever!

Project Teaser: WordPress Themes to Complement your XenForo Installation

Steve — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:04:43 +0000

This is something I’m really excited about. I happen to use the superb WordPress blogging platform to power all of my websites and I’m currently in the process of migrating all of my vBulletin forums over to the XenForo platform. WordPress is a brilliant way to compliment your community and keep your audience up to date with news concerning your niche. I mention all this, because I’m currently in the process of fine-tuning, optimizing and refining my custom “Omni” framework — which I currently use to power each and every blog within my network — in order to serve as the perfect solution to for users whom, like me, happen to use WordPress to power their websites, and would like for their WordPress and XenForo installations to look just that little more integrated.

There’s already the astonishingly useful WordPress 3 Bridge plugin available for those of you whom want to allow your users to share a joint WordPress-to-XenForo login system. However, designing a WordPress theme and a XenForo style that both able to compliment the other and allow for a much more seamless browsing experience can be quite tricky. That is why I am very eager to launch a range of WordPress themes to help ensure that both your WordPress-powered news portal and your XenForo community look that little bit more blended and, overall, allow for a much more professional feel for your website.

I’m so pleased that eager WordPress fans have already contacted me and asked whether I might consider releasing WordPress themes and I’m even more pleased to finally be able to confirm that I will indeed be doing so! I would also like to reassure current customers that this new project will not take away from my creating new XenForo styles at all, or in any way hinder the production of them.

I’m afraid that I can’t say for certain when the new WordPress themes will be launched; my current goal is to ensure that my Omni framework is secure, flexible and robust enough to handle the needs of a customer; I’ll just say leave you with the cryptically vague ETA of “soon…”

XenForo 1.0.0 Beta 2 Released and Style Updates En Route

Steve — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:45:13 +0000

With the new XenForo 1.0.0 Beta 2 hot off the press, I’ll be spending the next few days updating the current batch of premium styles and working on some brand spanking new ones shortly after. If you have any suggestions as to what sort of styles you’d like to see — colour-schemes, genres, etc, — then do please feel free to let me know.

I’ll also be performing an upgrade to the latest beta, either this afternoon or early tomorrow morning. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that the upgrade goes smoothly!

Update: All premium styles have been updated and are fully compatible with the latest Beta 1.0.0 Beta 2.

Introducing a New Affiliate Reward Scheme

Steve — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 21:10:26 +0000

First off: If you’ve noticed that — yes, that — then you’ll either recognize the blatant Austin Powers reference…or just be left utterly confused. Or perhaps just wondering what on earth I’m even referring to…

Anyhoo, quickly returning to the subject at hand: I’ve now implemented an affiliates system. Cool stuff, right? I know. If you’re interested in making some extra pocket money, perhaps you might want to consider adding one of the nifty affiliate banners I’ve created onto your website. At present — and the values are not finalized so they may be subject to change — any potential customers you refer my way that happen to go on to make a successful purchase will net you an attractive 30% on the first sale, and 10% on all sales thereafter.

While the percentages may change at some point, they will never ever drop below 10%. Ever.

In order to sign up and take part in the new affiliate scheme, you are required to have made one purchase on your account. This may change — it may not.

As you’ll have no doubt noticed in the screenshot included, a new tab has been included in your clients area which includes a variety of affiliate banners and your referral code(s). Oh, and there’s no extra fee or red-tape involved in becoming an affiliate; you just log into your clients area, hit the new affiliates tab, grab the code, plonk it somewhere noticeable on your website and you’re good to go.

XenGamer Style

Steve — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 11:11:10 +0000

For anyone whom might be curious: The stock photo included in the header is of a gentleman I met at the Eurogamer Expo ’10 event and I believe he was playing Fable 3. Upon purchasing this style, you are granted full access to use the logo graphic anywhere on your website at no extra cost.

XenBusiness Style

Steve — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:03:10 +0000

XenBusiness Style [Free Edition]

Steve — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 22:37:12 +0000

Well, looks like I’ll be the next to jump about the “Xen*” bandwagon. “XenBusiness” is what I’d like to call a “casual-business”-type style which would perhaps be ideal for corporate forums. Premium version with additional tweaks and enhancements coming soon.

Late nights, styles and coupon codes

Steve — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:59:01 +0000

One question I’ve been hearing quite alot of today would be something along the lines of “Hey, so…where are all the styles, then?”

The quickest answer would be: Give me a chance, people! Heh. The XenForo beta was only released last night — right before I was just about to go to bed, no less! The good news, however, is that I’ve had the entire day to have a mess around with the styling system and finally get a handle on it. It’s pretty powerful and flexible, if I do say so myself; I’m very excited about getting to work first thing tomorrow on some quality designs.

Just a quick note before I wrap this post up: I’ve been wondering how would be the best method of rewarding you lovely bunch for being so patient. How about a coupon code for 10% off all products? That sounds pretty good? I’m considering offering out this coupon code to any and all members of the community with over 10 posts. That would make sense, right? Acquire a total of 10 posts and earn yourself a 10% discount code — sounds pretty reasonable.

Products are coming soon, folks. Just sit tight.

Freebie: “XF-Green” Style

Steve — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:43:51 +0000

I thought I’d release the first few style releases as freebies – especially considering they are very basic re-colours. There’s a link back to this site in the footer of the style, but if you’d rather not provide a link back then you are entirely free to remove it, if you so wish.

The Community Forum is now open

Steve — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:55:18 +0000

Just a quick note to let y’all know that I’ve finally managed to get round to installing the brand spanking new XenForo beta forum software and it is ready for your viewing pleasure. The XenForo 1.0.0 beta was released just under 30 minutes ago and I am proud to be among the first, well, 100 or so, to have installed the software. I’m currently just trying to get my head around the new admin control panel and moderation features, but I’m really likin’ what I’m seeing so far.

Well, that’s all for the time being. Hopefully you’re enjoying your new XenForo-powered message board as much as I am and I’ll hopefully see you in the community forum. Cheers!