The right theme

Hi all, I could use some of your advice here.

Sure.

I want to build a .org site with some specific needs. I think they are all simple enough but not sure if all themes have these options.

Actually, themes are meant to be that way. If you need more functionality in a theme, then you can install a plugin that suits your needs. And imagine if you want to change your theme in future and your favourite functionality goes away with the theme… Won’t that be a dreadful?!

My site will be to list my community workshops I have in different areas. These events will be a mixture of weekly workshops and one off workshops.

Then you need one of these:

• Event based Theme
• Event based Plugin

I was thinking the simplest way would be to use the blog functionality as the events listing only problem being is I’d need the oldest blog to stay at the top and the newest are added to the bottom of the list. That way the most recent event will be the first you see.

Yes, you are right.

I will also need the blog post (event) to archive once the date has expired. Not sure if that can be automated or if i’d have to physically delete/move it to an archive section.

Blog posts are automatically archived. Older posts can be viewed at any time. On the other hand if you use a plugin to add events, it will mostly use the ‘post’ feature of WordPress, so it will be archived too. But do confirm this before using one.

It will have to have paypal functionality, so people can pay for the workshop.

A plugin like WP Easy Paypal Payment Accept can help. Find more here. Or you may just add the PayPal button code if you don’t want to use a plugin. Though a plugin will give you additional features.

I will need to be able to have my specific brand colours and able to change fonts for the menu items/header.

Brand colours?! As to what.. the header, logo, or on images of posts?! Every theme (mostly) allows customization of the header/logo/widgets. Fonts can easily be changed using the Advanced Tiny MCE Editor.

I hope some of you will be able to point me in the right direction.

I hope I did.

Thank you BFR, much appreciated.

I was thinking the simplest way would be to use the blog functionality as the events listing only problem being is I’d need the oldest blog to stay at the top and the newest are added to the bottom of the list. That way the most recent event will be the first you see.

Yes, you are right.

Is it possible to have the posts in reverse order then? Or does that depend on which theme I choose?

Brand colours?! As to what.. the header, logo, or on images of posts?! Every theme (mostly) allows customization of the header/logo/widgets. Fonts can easily be changed using the Advanced Tiny MCE Editor.

I hove noticed some theme’s have a limited colour option, the theme I finally choose needs to have unlimited colours to enable me to use the correct colours from my logo.

What I would ideally like to find is a:

1. Tumbler style blog role which can be switched to show oldest posts first.
2. Once the ‘event’ has happened the blog post automatically archives (leaving the next event(s) at the top of the blog role.
3. Being able to add a paypal function to each post.

So far I do like OLDCAR as a theme and I’ve found that EVENT ON seem to be a great events calendar.

The search continues…

Is it possible to have the posts in reverse order then? Or does that depend on which theme I choose?

Yes, you can.

• Use a plugin like this one + more
• You can play with the code + ref post

I hove noticed some theme’s have a limited colour option, the theme I finally choose needs to have unlimited colours to enable me to use the correct colours from my logo.

Hmm, if a theme has a limited colour option, it’s a different thing all together. In such cases, you will either need to customize the theme (development work), or just find the colour’s code line (eg. Inspect Element from Google Chrome can help you find the colour’s code location), and then you can change it to whatever you want.

1. Tumbler style blog role which can be switched to show oldest posts first.

Explained above.

2. Once the ‘event’ has happened the blog post automatically archives (leaving the next event(s) at the top of the blog role.

Adding a new event or publishing a new blog post will accomplish this. You seem to be new to WordPress; don’t worry – it’s very easy to use and super-customizable. ??

3. Being able to add a paypal function to each post.

It has nothing to do with what theme you use. A plugin or direct pasting of the PayPal code will help you accomplish this.

So far I do like OLDCAR as a theme and I’ve found that EVENT ON seem to be a great events calendar.

The search continues…

Great. Searching the right theme does take a little effort, but I’m sure you’ll find one.

Thank you BFR, you have been a great help!

You’re welcome John.