Thesis 1.8 Final Release Version Vs. Frugal 3.5.5 Catalyst

Post Updated: The Frugal Theme has been replaced by the Catalyst Theme, a far more superior Framework.

After, I think about 3 beta releases, Thesis 1.8 Final release was announced. Thesis 1.8 comes with some new features, some easy to use for normal everyday bloggers and some, quite irrelevant unless you are a geek with good knowledge of codes and all.

The more notable improvements that takes advantage of some new WordPress 3 features are:

For Normal Bloggers

Header Image Uploader. – Unlike the WordPress default where the header image uploaded is not clickable, the new Image uploader in Thesis 1.8 makes the header a clickable one. A good improvement over the previous versions where you have to use some custom codes to achieve this.

Meta Description Word Count. – Previous versions also has this feature, but Thesis 1.8 improved on this by letting you know the number of words you have typed into the meta description window. This improves somewhat the SEO of your meta description because Google search bots only reads up to a certain amount of words for your post title and your post descriptions. Using anything more than that will be a wasted effort. Also in knowing how many words you are using, you can really concentrate on SEO friendly words which are related to your posts.

Google Fonts All fonts listed in the Google font directory have been built into Thesis 1.8. A very thoughtful improvement indeed. Google Fonts are customized fonts that you will not find in your usual Windows installation. It loads directly from the Google font directory so every computer will see the font you have chosen even if your computer do not carry those fonts.

Unlike cufon fonts, where you have to generate the fonts and turn them into javascripts first before you can use them, Google fonts is easy to implement within your theme. The only downside is the fonts are rather limited and some of my favorites are not included.

WordPress Navigation Menu Support Thesis 1.8 supports the new WordPress 3 Navigation Menu feature by taking it a step further. You can change the looks of the navigation menus by using Thesis’ existing nav menu design controls.

Favicon Uploader Don’t be surprised, but still many do not know how to build and upload a favicon for their sites. Favicons are those tiny images you see in the address bar in your browser. Thesis 1.8 now makes it easy for you.

For More Advanced Users.

Unique Options For Categories, Tags And Taxonomies

A feature that allows you to add unique titles and tags for your category, tags and taxonomy pages. Something that I think not many bloggers bothers to learn or use. Something for SEO purists.

Custom Loop API.

For Theme developers and frankly, I do not know how to use this, nor will any normal bloggers.

Compared To The FrugalCatalyst Theme.

In all I think Thesis 1.8 does offer some cool improvements for normal users like you and me, especially the inclusion of Google Fonts. the Header Image Uploader and the Favicon Uploader. However, when it really comes to customization of the Theme and the ease of coming up with something unique looking, it still loses out to the Catalyst Theme

Frugal Theme already has the Header Image uploader since it’s previous version. So is the support for WordPres 3 navigation menu. If the Frugal Team can include the Google Fonts and the Favicon Uploader in their next release which I know is very easy to implement, then the Frugal Theme will still get my vote as the theme to use for a blogger who wants a unique looking Theme made by themselves.

Update: The Catalyst Theme now comes with a easy favicon uploader which does not need you to create a .ico file. All you need to do is to upload an 16 x16 image titled , favicon as a jpg, gif or a png file using the built in image uploader and Catalyst will do the rest. Check Out all the new features HERE

For those who wants to join the crowd, spent hours learning how to customize the Thesis Theme, unless you don’t mind being one of the thousands using the same Thesis look,

Download Thesis 1.8

If you want something that will not be easily recognized as using the same Theme with others because you can change everything with a few clicks of the mouse,

Try The FrugalCatalyst Theme

{image credit: Image: Filomena Scalise / FreeDigitalPhotos.net}