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Have you noticed a new trend in blog design? There are several actually, but it seems to me that blogs are getting wider. I think this is due to the fact that more people are now using larger computer monitors that easily handle a wider screen resolution, and also to make room for more information and sidebars. However, there are still those who prefer a more narrow view. Here I’m gonna take you along as I actually make one of my free WordPress themes more narrow.

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Tags: Design, How To, Wordpress Theme Tips by Anthony ∗ 13 Comments »

Have any of you bloggers ever considered buying a blog…one that’s already well established? I noticed yesterday that Collis Ta’eed, best known as the founder and designer behind Freelance Switch, has put his NorthxEast blog up for sale. I have to admit, I was surprised. Collis started this blog back in February of this year, and has steadily built the readership up to about 2000 RSS subscribers. NorthxEast.com also served as the launching pad for the super-successful Freelance Switch.

This would be a great opportunity for someone trying to get into full-time blogging. You could start from scratch like most, or you could step right into a ready-made profitable web business. The blog already has 2k subscribers at only one post per week. If a talented writer bought the blog and wrote 3-5 times or more per week, I’m betting the subscriber-ship would definitely grow. (Unfortunately, I’m not a very talented writer, myself. ) You not only get an established blog and domain name, but also the excellent design. Collis’ websites sport some of the best looking blog designs on the web IMHO.

So, have any of you ever considered buying a website? What elements would help you determine what the site is worth? If you’re interested in NorthxEast, you can hop on over to Sitepoint and place a bid.

Tags: Blogging by Anthony ∗ 12 Comments »

My new WordPress theme is called Finishline, and will look familiar to some of you. I had this design on my blog the first few months. At the time, I was using the Cutline theme, which I customized to look like this. Since that time, I’ve rebuilt the theme on my own framework.

One very cool thing about this design, is the header image………or images I should say! First of all, this theme has random header images which is totally cool! The photos were taken by Jeff Keeton, a.k.a. Mulsanne. I used the same images before, and asked the photographer for permission to use them if I ever offered the theme for download.

It’s been exactly two months since I made the Networker theme available. It has become my most popular at this point, with over 4,000 downloads. Now obviously, I would love for Finishline to surpass it. Please check it out!

You can preview and/or download from my Themes page.

Tags: Design, Wordpress Themes by Anthony ∗ 29 Comments »

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ve probably noticed I haven’t posted in about two weeks. I made the decision to step back and breathe a little. Not so much from writing on my blog, but step back from the internet altogether. I believe the internet is a great thing. Tons of information at your fingertips, loads of opportunity, and endless entertainment. However, the World Wide Web is not LIFE. The internet is a great tool, but it can easily become an addiction….a lazy man’s playground. I’m not under the impression that I’m addicted, however it has increasingly become a time waster if I don’t have a specific purpose for being online…or the computer for that matter.

Three primary reasons for my lack of posting.

1. Although I’m spending less time online, I have become busy doing some design work.
2. I have several business ideas, that I’ve been spending some time laying the foundations for.
3. I’ve been spending more time with my son – away from home. If we’re at home all day, I’m probably spending too much time on the computer, while he’s not getting the attention he deserves.

What About You?

I realize that the term “blogoholic” is no new term, and so, I’m breaking no new ground here. However, I thought it would be fun to put together this list of traits that may indicate you need to step away, and take a little time off from your blog. It’s easy to get so caught up in the web, that you forget you actually have a life to live.

1. You fall asleep at night thinking about your next post.
2. You wake up in the morning thinking about your next post.
3. You check your web statistics more than three times a day.
4. You would rather blog than eat or sleep.
5. You feel like the world will end when your internet connection goes down.
6. You see a possible blog post in everything you see and do.
7. You have Google Reader set as your homepage.
8. Your level of self-esteem is tied to the number of blog comments you receive.
9. Your level of self-esteem is tied to the number of RSS Subscribers you have.
10. You consider the the WordPress Codex as pleasure reading.

If this sounds like you, maybe you should back off a bit……..

Tags: Blogging by Anthony ∗ 7 Comments »