The most prolific of issues on wpSnap (and other multi-author sites) seem to have stemmed from a new feature that was rolled into WordPress version 2.6, which was the creation of a new database table “per edit” to allow the option to rollback in the event the edit was made accidentally. What this does is that it clutters your database and loses the continuity that one would hope with your post ID numbers.

The clean up was a hack of a sort since it is not (yet) an option within the WP Admin panel that lets one turn off the auto save feature, also, since it is not a security issue, there is no reason why this feature/function might ever be reverted.

Aside from that, the conditional tags used were outdated and numerous loose ends that were not tied together, especially in pagination and navigation.

wpSnap Old Design (Click to enlarge)

wpSnap New Design (Click to enlarge)

In all, there is no code on wpSnap now that existed per-reboot. We did recycle some graphics, logo, favicon and such. One major addition was the introduction of “OIO Publisher” advertisement management system to the main site and blog.

Also, wpSnap now sports a fresh new grid based visuals using the Blueprint CSS framework, which we have used on all commissioned work this year. Check the screenshot of the old design and compare it with the new look. Also, visit wpSnap and show some love, let them know what you think about the redesign while you are there!

¹We are a Richmond VA based web design studio and accept work online and in the Greater Richmond Metroplitan Area!

In our ongoing exercise to learn the nuts and bolts of a magazine style WordPress theme, we examine what has become by far the most ignored part of a theme design, the navigation menu.

As important as they are, they are often found floating in the header or worse the sidebar and almost never used to its fullest. Today we will attempt to change that. We are dedicating the next few sections just to discuss navigation menus, its varied uses, and the various methods of using it. So why wait, let’s get started.

Why are Navigation Menus Important?

There are three important roles of navigation menus, they are listed below in no particular order:

• It acts as the gateway to sections of the site you want your visitors/users to explore
• When designed correctly, it aids as a visual sitemap
• When used correctly, it enhances usability of your site and helps in SEO

How are Navigation Menus in Magazine Style Themes Different from Regular Themes?

If you notice closely, most regular themes have pages listed in blocks in the header or the sidebar and call it navigation. For all practical purpose, it works, and we are all complacent with it. In WordPress, there are numerous pages that are dynamically created like the archives, category pages, paginated pages, search pages and so on that are traditionally are not considered pages when you create a list using the template tag such as the one below:

	<?php wp_list_pages('sort_column=menu_order&depth=1&title_li='); ?>

In fact, the above tag does not display any child pages! So how do overcome this limitation?

What is currently out there?

If my memory serves me right, Eston (Bond) of Hyalineskies was one of the earliest to venture into uncharted waters. His “Gridlock” theme did not receive as much attention from the rest of the design community, but users no doubt caught on to it and fondly continue using it to this day.