Vivek Hutheesing

really weird, cannot even log back into WP at the URL where I normally do this ( https://blog.rblock.com/wp-login.php )

all i did was select the parent, CTRL-C the header.php file, then select the child, and CRTL-V the content into the function.php file and hit save, and WP doesnt seem to give me any of the screens I’m used to seeing – i just get the Parse error screen above.

i may have to get a new install through godaddy, my host…

Cant even logout of WordPress..copying the header.php file of the twenty twelve theme into the function.php field of the child did something bad.

Well did that and I seem to have blown everything. I cannot use the editor any longer, or even change themes. I’m getting this error everywhere:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected ‘<‘ in /home/content/17/6628817/html/blog/wp-content/themes/twentytwelve-child/functions.php on line 5

Esmi, forgive all these posts, but pls correct me if I’m wrong, but I think I need to copy the header.php file of my parent into the functions.php window provided in my child’s theme section. Then do any edits there in the child theme. Will report back. Vivek

Esmi,

Got it, thanks.

Vivek

Esmi,

When I modify the style.css file of my newly activated child theme, do I start by copying into it the header.php file from the parent theme, and then edit it? Or do I instead need to just create (not copy) in the child style sheet the fewest lines necessary to override what’s currently in the parent?

Thanks,

Vivek

Woops. You are right, my mistake. It worked. Thank you esmi.

Now that my child theme is active, I believe I must figure out how to modify the CSS file to change the header position and behavior. Will report back, hopefully with success!

Hi esmi,

That was a very useful link to read and showed me how to upload the twenty twelve child zipfile. With fingers crossed, I proceeded, and it looked promising until it failed. I got this message on the screen:

Installing Plugin from uploaded file: twentytwelve-child.zip
Unpacking the package…

Installing the plugin…

The package could not be installed. No valid plugins were found.

Plugin install failed.

Return to Plugins page

I will try unzipping it and seeing if I can figure out which file to upload. Then I will try contacting the folks who kindly provided this option.

Oh well, thanks again for your mindshare on this!

Vivek

I couldn’t create a child them manually (via FTP) so I tried by activating a plugin called Child Theme Configurator but it was confusing, even after watching the author’s video about it. So then I de-activated it and activated a much simpler and more elegant plugin called Simple Custom CSS, but could only change the font color, not fix the header.

So I’m guessing that I must figure out how to create a child theme, and so really appreciate that link you just posted. I went to the site, downloaded the Twenty Twelve child zipfile, but the site just says upload it from WP and activate it. How do I upload it? I do not see an upload button anywhere in WP. I need step by step guidance I guess (e.g. open this WP item, click that menu link, etc.).

Do you know how to upload the zip file I just downloaded?

Thanks again! Soon I’ll be able to help others here!!

Hi esmi,

I followed both your original suggestions. The child theme approach was complicated and I could not get it to work. The CSS plugin approach looks promising – the Simple Custom CSS plugin is a great plugin that’s well reviewed, so thanks – but I still have not been able to modify my header using the plugin. I have been able to change the font color, as a test, but not modify the header, even though I’ve watched multiple youtube videos on CSS code that should work.

As mentioned, I’m using the Twenty Twelve theme, and would greatly appreciate it if you could help me figure out what CSS code I need to put into the Simple Custom CSS plugin

thanks again,

vivek

Hi again esmi – any step by step help you can provide on modifying the position and behavior of my header links would be most appreciated. I’ve been spinning my wheels on this for a while now. Thanks so much, Vivek

that worked, thanks lorbach – appreciate it, vivek

hi lorbach,

I hope i can jump in here and just ask you how i can substitute my own thumbnail pic for the little monster with antennae that currently represents me. The “edit my profile” sections of WP support and the WP dashboards don’t seem to have a pic upload option.

Many thanks,

Vivek

It’s temporarily at a subdomain of my Company while I’m learning:

blog.rBlock.com

Still not sure how best to create a child theme to modify it. Do you recommend creating a directory using FTP or the plugin I just installed.

Here’s site that basically modifies the header the way I’d like to, although the site owner just told me she’s using the Twenty Thirteen theme:

https://www.popandsizzle.com/

Thanks a bunch,

Vivek

OK, did this by installing a plugin called child theme configurator