Though there are a number of popular magazine WordPress themes on the market, including a number of great free magazine themes, I think it is pretty safe to say that none have been more popular over the past year than the Mimbo theme (and the Mimbo Pro version).

This morning I just noticed that my friend Darren Hoyt, the author of Mimbo and Mimbo Pro, has updated his original free theme, calling it Mimbo 3.0.

Here is a screen shot of Mimbo 3.0:

You can view the live demo here.   Here are the updates features in the newest version of Mimbo:

• No more custom fields. Most importantly, custom fields are no longer necessary to call thumbnails. Mimbo 3.0 includes a script that pulls images automatically from the post body, then resizes them with TimThumb.
• Support for WordPress 2.7. This includes code for sticky posts, comment pagination, threaded comments, wp_logout_url, and the rest of the new features.
• Sticky Posts. In the past, you had to create a “Lead Story” category. With the new version, that beige box contains whichever post you’ve marked as sticky, or whichever is most recent.
• Standard Bloggy Behavior. What I learned about Mimbo 2.2 is that a lot of people missed having a regular old blog component on the homepage, ie, simple chronological display. So I tried to retain the popular magazine-style layout, while organizing the middle column more like a standard blog.
• Featured Categories. Thanks to some great coding help from the talented Jean-Baptiste, Mimbo 3.0 has a custom control panel that sets featured categories with a configurable number of headlines
• Localization/Translation. As I’ve realized, there’s really no excuse for not localizing your WP themes so they can be enjoyed by people all over the world. Feel free to contact me with translation help.
• 125×125 Ad Support. Mimbo 3.0 comes pre-styled to work with the excellent WP125 plugin and its companion widget.
• Better body id/classes. As I’ve written about, this can make your theme tremendously flexible, but now things are even flexible-er. Tip of the hat goes to Thematic, by way of Sandbox.
• Multi-Level Dropdown Menus. People asked for them and now they’re here. They’re semi-transparent, too, if you use a decent browser.
• Custom Sidebar Conditionals. If child pages exist, they will now appear in the sidebar when viewing a page section. And on single post pages, the sidebar will dynamically display a handy “Related Posts” box.
• Better Custom Archives. Personally, I almost never browse by month or year. I prefer a full archived list with dated headers. Mimbo 3.0 comes with a custom template that displays posts organized by month, plus pagination.
• Better Author Archives. Looking back, it’s not really necessary to have the author bio included at the bottom of every single post, as with v2.2. In the new version, author archives can be viewed only when the person’s name is clicked. Also, gravatars are now used for both author photos and comments. No more lame hacks.
• Gallery, Inline Image & Caption Styling. There are now styles for all the various ways you’d insert an image in a post which became possible with version 2.5.
• More Widget Freedom. In the past, I probably included too much custom code in the sidebar whereas most of it could be replicated/re-ordered with widgets anyway. So currently, the entire right-hand sidebar (minus the aforementioned Page submenu and “Related Posts” module) is widgetized and pre-styled for your pleasure.

[Download the Mimbo 3.0 Theme]

Updated: October 21, 2009

As WordPress continues to grow in popularity, more and more designers are realizing the potential of building WordPress themes.   In addition to the financial benefits, designers can also use WordPress themes to create additional inbound links, improve their reputation as a designer, and of course help generate freelance work.

Because of the huge size of the WordPress theme market, it has become increasingly difficult to find a good way to browse through the available WordPress themes.   Unfortunately I don’t have a solution, but I have spent several hours trying to sort through the available themes and create a gallery to display many of the top designs in both the free and premium WordPress theme markets.  Currently this page has over 150 WordPress themes, plus a few known theme clubs thrown in at the bottom for people that prefer that route.

Due to the size of this post, I have broken the themes contained within this post into 6 categories for easier navigation.  Simply click the link which applies to the type of WordPress theme you are looking for and you’ll be directed directly to that section!

• Blog WordPress Themes
• News/Magazine WordPress Themes
• Small Business WordPress Themes
• Portfolio WordPress Themes
• Video WordPress Themes
• WordPress Theme Clubs

——————————————————————————————————————————–

Blog WordPress Themes

Vintage Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Blues Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Shades of Blue Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Typebased Theme

Source/Demo | Download

PassionDuo Theme (3 Colors)

Green: Demo | Download, Red: Demo | Download, Blue: Demo | Download

WP Freemium Theme

Source | Download

SimpleWP Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Evolution Theme

Source | Download | Demos: Blue, Green, Red

GlossyBlue Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Color Paper Theme

Source | Download | Demo

StudioPress Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Blak Magik Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Several3 Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Mag on Wood Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Simply Ornate Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Agregado Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Notepad Chaos Theme

Source | Download | (Unable to Locate a Demo)

WordPress Fun Theme

Source | Download | (Unable to Locate a Demo)

Daily Press Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Curious Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Rewire Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Pixeled Theme

Source | Download | (Unable to Locate a Demo)

Daily32 Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Digital Statement Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Maggo Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Firebug Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Padangan Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Black and White Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Xplosive Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Blog oh Blog Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Langit Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Blue Block Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Dark Zen Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Tomodachi Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Blue Dream Theme

Source/Demo | Download

BizFresh Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Simple Red Theme

Source | Download (Requires free registration) | Demo

True Blue Theme

Source | Download (Requires free registration) | Demo

Resurrection Theme

Source/Demo | Download

WP Premiere Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Silveray Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Rhea Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Aspire Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Velocity Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Techicon Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Biz Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Quadruple Blue Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Lightsource Theme

Comes with $20.00 subscription to Elegant Themes Club!

Source/Demo | Download

Flexx Theme

• Over 1,000 Possible Layout Combinations!

Single-Use ($79.95), Multiple-Use ($249.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Gotham News Theme

Single-Use ($70.00), Developer’s ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Blog Theme

Single-Use ($40.00), Developer’s ($90.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Omni Social Networking Theme

Single-Use ($79.99), Developer’s ($199.99)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Over Easy Theme

Single-Use ($70.00), Developer’s ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Blubs Theme

Single-Use ($49.95), Multiple-Use ($99.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Killian 1.0 Theme

Personal ($49.00), Developer ($159.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Thesis Theme

Personal License ($87.00), Developer’s License ($164.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

——————————————————————————————————————————–

Magazine/News WordPress Themes

Options Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Hamasaki Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Structure Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Visionary Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Mimbo Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Morning After Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Forte Theme

Source | Download | Demo

The Studio Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Arthemia Free Theme (Premium Version Also Available)

Source | Download | Demo | Premium Version of Arthemia

Guzel Magazine Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Newsweek Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Studio WordPress Theme (Available in Blue, Green, & Red)

Source | Download | Demo

Transparency Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Slick Press Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Cellar Heat Theme

Source | Download | Demo

MonarTech Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Premium News Theme

Source | Download | Demo

Small Magazine Theme

Source | Download | (Unable to Locate a Demo)

Lifestyle Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.95), All StudioPress Themes ($199.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

WP Smooth Theme

Single-Use ($79.00), Multiple-Use ($179.00), Developer’s Pack ($279.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Magazine Theme Wars

Multiple-Use ($69.00), Developer’s Pack ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Newsday Theme

Multiple-Use ($45.00), Developer’s Pack ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Zenko Magazine Theme

Multiple-Use ($69.00), Developer’s Pack ($149.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Magazine WordPress Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.95), All StudioPress Themes ($199.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

WP Vybe Theme

Single-Use ($79.00), Multiple-Use ($179.00), Developer’s Pack ($279.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Moviemaker Theme

Unlimited Websites ($37.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Deluxe Magazine Theme

Multiple-Use ($45.00), Developer’s Pack ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

WP-Chatter Magazine Theme

Single-Use ($79.00), Multiple-Use ($179.00), Developer’s Pack ($279.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Fresh News Theme

Multiple-Use ($70.00), Developer’s Pack ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Note: WP Hacks readers can now click this link to get 2 premium themes from Woo Themes for the price of 1! When you use our link you will be asked to select the bonus theme when you checkout.

Technologic Theme

Multiple-Use ($69.00), Developer’s Pack ($149.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

GameNow Video Game Theme

Single-Use ($49.00), Developer’s Pack ($99.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Gameline Theme

Unlimited Websites ($37.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

ColorMatic Theme

Multiple-Use ($69.00), Developer’s Pack ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Magazine Portfolio Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.00), Developer’s Pack ($159.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Blog Newspaper Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.00), Developer’s Pack ($179.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Boardwalk Travel Theme

Single-Use ($59.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Blogus Travel Theme

Single-Use ($45.00), Developer’s Pack ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Chic Theme

Multiple-Use ($69.00), Developer’s Pack ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Monograph Magazine Theme

Multiple-Use ($69.00), Developer’s Pack ($149.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

News WordPress Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.95), All StudioPress Themes ($199.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

eNews Theme

Comes with $20.00 subscription to Elegant Themes Club!

Source/Demo | Purchase Membership

Open Air Theme

Multiple-Use ($70.00), Developer’s Pack ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Note: WP Hacks readers can now click this link to get 2 premium themes from Woo Themes for the price of 1! When you use our link you will be asked to select the bonus theme when you checkout.

WP Genius Theme

Single-Use ($79.00), Multiple-Use ($179.00), Developer’s Pack ($279.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Imperial Theme

Single-Use ($30.00), Ten Websites ($90.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Bold Magazine Theme

Comes with $20.00 subscription to Elegant Themes Club!

Source/Demo | Purchase Membership

Elements Magazine Theme

Single-Use ($69.00), Developer’s Pack ($139.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

WPSN Sports Theme

Multiple-Use ($38.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Arthemia Premium Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.95), Developer’s Pack ($159.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Education Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.95), All StudioPress Themes ($199.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Newswire Theme

Unlimited Websites ($19.99)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Charisma Theme

Single-Use ($67.00), Developer’s Pack ($149.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

WP Folio Theme

Single-Use ($79.00), Multiple-Use ($179.00), Developer’s Pack ($279.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Yamidoo Magazine Theme

Multiple-Use ($69.00), Developer’s Pack ($149.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Destination City Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.00), Developer’s Pack ($159.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

WP Media Magazine Theme

Single-Use ($79.00), Multiple-Use ($179.00), Developer’s Pack ($279.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Business Solutions Theme

Single-Use ($25.00), Ten Websites ($75.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Mr. and Mrs. Wedding Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.00), Developer’s Pack ($99.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Church Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.95), All StudioPress Themes ($199.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Grace Church Theme

Single-Use ($59.00), Developer’s Pack ($159.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Seduction Theme

Single-Use ($79.95), Developer’s Pack ($179.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Celebrity Press Theme

Single-Use ($79.95), Multiple-Use ($149.95), Developer’s Pack ($249.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

WP Jazz Theme

Single-Use ($79.00), Multiple-Use ($179.00), Developer’s Pack ($279.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Bloom Theme

Single-Use ($49.00), Developer’s Pack ($99.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Newspaper Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.00), Developer’s Pack ($159.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

NewsPro Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.00), Developer’s Pack ($159.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Convergence Theme

Unlimited Websites ($25.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Suvi Magazine Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.00), Developer’s Pack ($159.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Reinvent Magazine Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.00), Developer’s Pack ($159.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Breaking News Theme

Multiple-Use ($79.99)

Source/Demo | Purchase

iTeam Sports Theme

Multiple-Use ($59.95), Developer’s Pack ($149.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Daily Edition News Theme

Multiple-Use ($70.00), Developer’s Pack ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Note: WP Hacks readers can now click this link to get 2 premium themes from Woo Themes for the price of 1! When you use our link you will be asked to select the bonus theme when you checkout.

Gamemaker Theme

Unlimited Websites ($37.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

WP Clear Theme

Single-Use ($79.00), Multiple-Use ($179.00), Developer’s Pack ($279.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

bSocial Theme

Multiple-Use ($79.95), Developer’s Pack ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Triumph Theme

Single-Use ($55.00), Developer’s Pack ($109.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

——————————————————————————————————————————–

Small Business WordPress Themes

Corporate Theme

Corporate Theme ($59.95), All StudioPress Themes ($199.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Essence Theme

Single-Use ($79.95), Multiple-Use ($249.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

WP-Remix Theme

Single-Use ($75.00), Multiple-Use ($275.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Cafe Press Restaurant Theme

Single-Use ($25.00), Multiple-Use ($75.00), Developer’s Pack ($125.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Productum Theme

Single-Use ($70.00), Multiple-Use ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Note: WP Hacks readers can now click here to get 2 premium themes from Woo Themes for the price of 1!

Suit Business Theme

Single-Use ($45.00), Multiple-Use ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Suit & Tie Theme

Single-Use ($70.00), Multiple-Use ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Note: WP Hacks readers can now click here to get 2 premium themes from Woo Themes for the price of 1!

Bravo Theme

Single-Use ($79.95), Developer’s Pack ($149.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

eBusiness WordPress Theme

• Dozens of layouts and color choices, control panel, etc. (learn more)

Available for only $19.99 with Elegant Themes Club membership!

Source/Demo | Purchase

Charlie Theme

Single-Use ($79.95) | Multiple-Use ($149.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

The Station Theme

Single-Use ($70.00), Developer’s Pack ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Note: WP Hacks readers can now click here to get 2 premium themes from Woo Themes for the price of 1!

Business Professional Theme

Single-Use ($30.00) | 10 Licenses ($90.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Function Plus Theme

Unlimited Websites ($34.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Architect Business Theme

Single-Use ($79.95), Multiple-Use ($249.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Homeowner Real Estate Theme

Multiple-Use ($69.95), Developer’s Pack ($169.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Open House Realtor Theme

Single-Use ($79.95), Multiple-Use ($149.95), Developer’s Pack ($249.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Agent Theme

Agent Theme ($59.95), All StudioPress Themes ($199.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

WP Realtor Theme

Single-Use ($79.99), Multiple-Use ($149.99), Developer’s Pack ($349.99)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Smooth Real Estate Theme

Single-Use ($119.95), Multiple-Use ($189.95), Developer’s Pack ($289.95)

Source/Demo | Purchase

High Roller Poker Theme

Unlimited Websites ($249.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

——————————————————————————————————————————–

Portfolio WordPress Themes

Viz | Biz Portfolio Theme

Single-Use License ($79.95), Multiple-Use License ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Download

WP Showcase Theme

Single-Use License ($59.00), Multiple-Use License ($99.00), Developer’s Pack ($159.00)

Source/Demo | Download

Simple Site Theme

Single-Use License ($49.00), Multiple-Use License ($149.00)

Source/Demo | Download

VibrantCMS Theme

Single-Use ($70.00), Developer’s ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Cassiopeia Theme

Single-Use ($80.00), Developer’s Pack ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

Fresh Folio Theme

Single-Use ($70.00), Developer’s ($150.00)

Source/Demo | Purchase

eGallery Theme

Comes with $20.00 subscription to Elegant Themes Club!

Source/Demo | Download

eVid Theme

Comes with $20.00 subscription to Elegant Themes Club!

Source/Demo | Download

——————————————————————————————————————————–

Video WordPress Themes

Revolution Album Theme

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Elements Theme

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Charred

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Chrome

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Black Canvas Theme

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Video

Source/Demo | Download

——————————————————————————————————————————–

WordPress Theme Clubs

Theme Hybrid Club

All themes are free with limited support.  $25.00 for full support!

Source/Join | Download

Single Subscription (3 months = $150.00 or 6 months = $250.00), Developer Subscription (3 months = $225.00 or 6 months = $375.00)

Source | Purchase

iThemes Theme Club

EVERY iThemes release for only $399.95!

Source | Purchase

Elegant Premium Themes Club

EVERY premium WordPress theme for only $19.99!  Optional yearly renewal.

Source | Purchase

Update: As of January 1, 2009, it looks like Revolution/StudioPress Themes are no longer free to download.  They are all now available individually for $59.95 or all themes for $149.95.

Last month we wrote about Brian’s huge announcement that Revolution was going open source.  At that time, the original launch date was scheduled for November 1st, but in the time since then the entire Revolution team has come together and managed to get Revolution 2 ready for an early launch!

As of today, Revolution 2 is officially available to the WordPress Community.  Included with the Revolution 2 launch are 8 incredible new themes (10 if you count the two blog theme variants) which were designed to fill a large number of different niches.  So far the choices include magazine themes, professional themes, media themes, photo themes, video themes, and even blog themes.   Best of all, they are available to download completely FREE!

What is the catch?  Well, there isn’t one.  The themes are 100% free, but there is a small fee attached to any extras you may want.  With purchase of either the yearly pro membership, or the pro plus lifetime membership (Revolution all-inclusive package owners already have this), you will get the following benefits:

• Unlimited support answered by our experts
• Learn customization techniques with our detailed theme tutorials
• Professional design services available by our list of recommended designers
• Discounted general consulting rates
• Increase your search rankings with a link from the Revolution site directory

Here are the Revolution themes which were included with the original launch of Revolution Two:

Revolution Magazine Themes

Revolution Church Theme

• 3-Column Fixed Width Theme
• Widget Ready

License for this theme ($59.95), All Themes license ($149.95)

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Lifestyle Theme

• 3-Column Fixed Width Theme
• Widget Ready

License for this theme ($59.95), All Themes license ($149.95)

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Media Themes

Revolution Charred

• 2-Column Fixed Width Theme
• Widget Ready

License for this theme ($59.95), All Themes license ($149.95)

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Chrome

• 2-Column Fixed Width Theme
• Widget Ready

License for this theme ($59.95), All Themes license ($149.95)

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Photos Themes

Revolution Album Theme

• 2-Column Fixed Width Theme
• Widget Ready

License for this theme ($59.95), All Themes license ($149.95)

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Black Canvas Theme

• 2-Column Fixed Width Theme
• Widget Ready

License for this theme ($59.95), All Themes license ($149.95)

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Professional Themes

Revolution Office

• 2-Column Fixed Width Theme
• Widget Ready

License for this theme ($59.95), All Themes license ($149.95)

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Video Themes

Revolution Video

• Built for embedding videos
• 2-Column Fixed Width Theme
• Widget Ready

License for this theme ($59.95), All Themes license ($149.95)

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Blog Themes

Revolution Elements Theme

• 2-Column Fixed Width Theme
• Widget Ready

License for this theme ($59.95), All Themes license ($149.95)

Source/Demo | Download

Revolution Blue (also available in Red & Grey)

• 3-Column Fixed Width Theme
• Widget Ready

License for this theme ($59.95), All Themes license ($149.95)

Source/Demo | Download

After looking around, I am already very impressed with how the site is setup and can see just how this site will grow in time to be a focal point in the WordPress community.   If you read the new Revolution feed, you’ll also see me in there regularly, as I have joined the Revolution joined the Revolution 2 team.

What do you think of this new business model?  Will it replace the current premium WordPress themes market in your opinion, or will you still be willing to spend your money when themes of this quality are available completely free?

For close to a year now, the idea of a magazine WordPress theme has often been modeled after a magazine or news portal, which helps to avoid the blog feel and highlight the most recent posts in several different categories in a visually appealing way.   But does it always have to be that way?

Michael of Colorlabs Project has just released his Platformate theme, which provides many of the features you’d expect from a magazine theme but it also has a personal blog feel to it.   At the top of each page (including the homepage), you’ll find a featured section for Hot Discussions and Most Popular Posts, making it more ideal for a personal blog.

Some other features that come with Platformate:

• 5+ Theme Colors Included – 5+ color schemes, included in one single product. Moreover, you can customize colors to anything you like, based on your taste. Stand out with your own styling. No need to edit the stylesheet template.
  
• Theme Administration Panel – You’ve got no idea about PHP, (X)HTML, and CSS? No need to worry about all the complicated commands and manage everything from the theme administration panel.
• Auto-Thumbnail your Old Posts – Forget the time-consuming manual thumbnail generation, even the old-fashioned Post Custom Fields. Thumbnails across the theme will be assigned and generated automatically. Simply upload an image and add it to your post.
• Navigation Drop-down Menu – Show links to your blog pages and sub-pages in a fancy drop-down navigation menu, located at the top of your blog.
• Sidebar Widget – Easily drag-and-drop widgets and place any widgets on sidebar and footer section. Download WP available sidebar widgets and have it right away at your blog.
• Cross-Browser Compatible – Designed to meet the latest W3C standard compliant, renders perfectly in Safari, Firefox, Opera, and Internet Explorer. W3C CSS and XHTML valid.
  
• Analytics and Feedburner – Burn your feeds with Feedburner and manage your blog statistics using Google Analytics. Simply enter you Feedburner URL and Google Analytics ID in the theme administration panel.
• After-Sales Support and Upgrade – Don’t worry if you experience any problems during the installation process. Purchase packages include a free after-sales support. Contact us and we’ll get to help you. Updates and fixes will be sent regularly for free.

Here is a sample of how the homepage looks (you can choose one of 5 colors):

And here is a screen shot of a post page:

You can also check out the Platformate demo for a live demo of the theme.

If you’d like to pick up a copy of Platformate to use, you can currently purchase a single-use license for $50.00 or a developer’s license for $175.00.

This guest post was written by Jean-Baptiste Jung, who maintains a blog over at Cats Who Code that covers WordPress and other webmaster stuff. If you have webmaster or WordPress knowledge and are interested in writing a post for WordPress Hacks, please contact us.

Inspired by the well-known Mimbo theme by Darren Hoyt, OpenBook is a free Magazine style Wordpress theme, which doesn’t require you to manually edit a file.

I first realeased this theme in January, but at this time it was only available in French. So it is the very first English version.

Download OpenBook

Download OpenBook 2.2 Wordpress Theme: zip archive

If you’re looking for a live demo, check out my personnal blog which uses this theme.

OpenBook Features

Here’s what you can expect in OpenBook theme:

• Magazine-style homepage, including 2 columns and SmoothGallery for your featured posts.
• 100% Gravatar compatible.
• Custom fields to insert images on the homepage gallery, on homepage posts and in categories posts.
• Magazine-style dropdown-menu for your categories.
• Not manual editing required. After installing the theme, you’ll find an OpenBook tab under Design, where you can set up the options for the theme, including featured posts, featured category, blog logo, number of posts to display on the gallery, categories to display on the blog homepage…
• If you hate Internet Explorer 6 as I do, you’ll probably be happy: OpenBook have an option which litteraly crash IE6 if checked. If unchecked, IE6 will not crash and people who (still) use it will see your blog just as other users.
• Compatible with Firefox 2, Firefox 3 beta, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 6. (OpenBook is also probably compatible with other browsers like Konqueror, I just haven’t tested it myself)
• Widget-ready sidebar
• SEO-friendly titles
• Page templates for Links and Archives
• Compatible with Wordpress 2.3 to 2.5.1

Installing OpenBook

OpenBook install is like installing any Wordpress theme: Unzip the archive, and upload the openbook22-en directory into the wp-content/themes of your Wordpress install.

Then, go to your WP administration panel, Design » Theme and select OpenBook.

Now, you should go to Design » OpenBook and fill the various fields:

• Your blog logo url
• ID of your featured category
• Number of posts to display in SmoothGallery.
• IDs of categories to display on the homepage.
• If you want to make any IE6 crash, just check the related checkbox.
• Number of posts to display on the homepage, by category

Configuring SmoothGallery

SmoothGallery is a very pretty mootools script by Jonathan Schemoul which display posts along with big images. In order to configure it, you must create a new category (In this exemple, we’ll call it featured) and report its ID to Design » OpenBook.

When you want to show a particular post in the SmoothGallery, just edit the post and check the featured category. Of course, you can add the post to other categories as well.

Now, you should define an image that will display in SmoothGallery. Juste create a custom field, give it featuredimg as key and your image url as value. Once saved, the post will be displayed in SmoothGallery.

The ideal SmoothGallery image size is 600*250 pixels. You can use different size, but the image will be cropped or will not fill all the available space.

Using custom fields to display images in posts

As I said above, it is possible to assign one or more image(s) to a post. Theses images will be displayed on the homepage, or in categories pages, depending of the custom field used.

Here’s the custom fields keys, and the place where the images will be displayed.

• featuredimg » The image will be displayed in SmoothGallery (Only if the related post is in the featured category)
• Image » The image will be displayed along with its related post, on the homepage.
• catimage » The image will be displayed in category pages. Ideal size is 125*125 pixels.

Please note

The OpenBook theme is (and will stay) 100% free. I also try to always help people who use it as much as I can. The only thing that I’m asking, is that you leave my link on the theme footer. Thanks in advance

Edit on July 3, 2008: I just wrote a simple tutorial for modifying OpenBook color scheme. You can read it here.