Mimbo Pro has recently undergone a major overhaul which is not as evident on the surface, but very significant code- and feature-wise. A special discount coupon will be mailed to existing Mimbo Pro users to get the new theme at a very reduced rate.
Here is a summary of new features:
- Thumbnail automation. In the past, Mimbo Pro required the use of custom fields to insert thumbnails on the homepage, search, and category pages. Mimbo Pro 2.0 includes a script that pulls images automatically from the post body then resizes them. If no such image exists, the script switches to the old method and checks the database for a custom field called “Image”.
- GPL Licensing. Mimbo Pro 2.0 is released under the GPL license. We feel this is the best thing for both ourselves, and for WordPress. We support WordPress wholeheartedly and think that honouring it’s license is the best way for everyone to get along.
- Support for WordPress 2.7 features. This includes code for comment pagination, threaded comments, wp_logout_url, and the rest of the latest features.
- Cleaner, more powerful templates. We have heavily edited the templates so that PHP functions are organized, moved into functions.php or otherwise improved upon. This should result in more coherent code and logical organization.
- Easier customization and child theming. Because of how we’ve re-worked the code in the item above, Mimbo Pro can now function as a powerful framework, which can be modified smartly with child themes (see the FAQ) so that users don’t need to touch any core code or worry about future upgrades disturbing their modifications. The 2 previously-included color schemes (green and red) which were edited via the control panel have been re-written as child themes instead and included in the package.
For multi-site users, we also include 1 more child theme called “Basic Starter” which is a minimalist black-and white design, perfect for developers who use Mimbo Pro to build client websites and want to design the colors/typography from the ground up. Basic Starter comes with a heavily-commented stylesheet which explains in detail which styles correspond with which elements, making modification a snap even for beginners.
- No homepage post duplication. The “Recent Stories” box, lead story, carousel and featured categories on the homepage no longer display redundant post information.
- Wider layout. The overall width is now 960px, allowing for larger sidebars and easier ad integration.
- Fixed category feeds. Using date-based permalinks is no longer required to make category feeds work, in favor of the get_category_feed_link function.
- 125×125 Ad Support. The old ad system has been scrapped in favor of supporting 125×125 ads and the excellent WP125 plugin which Mimbo Pro comes preconfigured/pre-styled for.
- Better body id/classes. As I’ve written about, this can make your theme tremendously flexible. Each page on Mimbo Pro now inserts multiple dynamic classes on the <body> tag, allowing for more creative styling.
- Localization. The templates have been marked up for easy translation using the gettext method and we are currently soliciting translation help in exchange for a single-license theme. The first language offered is German.
- Attachment.php. This template has been added for users wanting to display larger versions of images
- Animated multi-level dropdown menus. The new elegant new menus (SuperFish) fulfill the wishes of our forum users.
- Better Custom Archives. Because Mimbo Pro is a magazine-style theme, users occasionally feel they aren’t getting an idea of chronology. The newest version includes a custom template (archives.php) that displays all posts organized by month, plus pagination so users can use it more like a traditional blog.
- Pagination on category/archives pages. This benefits users with older blogs which feature lengthy archives.
- Better use of gravatars. The author archive page now use a gravatar icon rather than requiring a custom image.
- 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 past versions, we used custom code in the sidebars and footer, but have decided to widgetize those regions for easier modification.
- Improved carousel. The carousel can now be set to auto-scroll and other variable speed settings.
- CAPTCHA support. To protect against spam, a CAPTCHA field has been added to the custom contact form
- Support for special characters in the contact form. This had previously caused problems for languages such as French and Turkish
- Fixed theme “Preview” display. Previously, the carousel caused WordPress’s theme preview window to melt down. This has been patched.
- Layered PSD Pack. The developer’s version now includes a more comprehensive selection of psd files for individual elements (icons, backgrounds, etc).
- Dropdown/Carousel conflict. Dropdowns should now float over carousels without an overlap issue.
- Potential jQuery carousel/plugin conflicts. Additional tweaks have been made to prevent these instances.
- “More from this Category” duplication. This feature on single-post pages should no longer include the title of the current post
- Font sizing. The general font-size for paragraphs and other elements has been bumped up a size.
If you’re interested then you can buy Mimbo Pro now, or try out the new theme preview site we have set up (including previews of the included child themes)
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“A special discount coupon will be mailed to existing Mimbo Pro users to get the new theme at a very reduced rate.”
Hmm – I’m surprised the email didn’t go out before this entry was posted.
It’s interesting to see that the multi site license was reduced by $30, while the “special discount rate” (which I don’t recall many other theme developers charging for updates, but I’m sure I must be mistaken) is $15.
Ahh the WP Theme market… Always in flux.
Oh.. I take it back – the Multi Site License *IS* $30 when checking out at the store – even though the account login page states, “To upgrade to Mimbo Pro 2 – *Multi Site license*, for $15, use the coupon code XXX”
I must be missing something.
Hi Kel – The reason we decided to charge an upgrade fee is because this is essentially a new theme. We pretty much rewrote it from scratch. For existing users there is actually a new, free, update to the theme as well – as will be explained in the email that goes out
Unfortunately you spotted a typo on my part so thanks for pointing that out.
Ben – thanks for clarifications. I agree with the cost upgrade based on your comments and the aggressively long list of New Features. Just confused as to the actual cost. Feed readers get ya everytime, eh? Thanks!
Many of these updates sound really great (including the styling things e.g. photos with WP 2.5; eliminating current post from category list in the single post, simplifying the thumbnails, although I’ve gotten used to the current method) but I groan a little at contemplating a change, since my site has been customized. The width change, however, is barely perceptible (although it’s an idea I support in general terms) and it appears on the trial site that the center column on the first page is *narrower* than before, with the lefthand sidebar wider than it needs to be. And I wish your example showed ads. Does it support ads on single post pages? Just some initial thoughts…
It supports ads through the WP125 advertising plugin, so they can be placed in the sidebar. I shall upload and setup the plugin so you can take a look. The support for the plugin is the reason for the wider left hand sidebar (so you can fit two adverts in)
i didn’t receive any mail regarding on how to upgrade to v.2 or any fee involve
could you please send me an email regarding this,
thanks
We will be sending out the emails later today. Essentially all you have to do is login to the control panel at the new accounts page and read the instructions in there
How can I get in touch with you about translating the new Mimbo Pro in bulgarian?
Hi Omi – we don’t have the translation files ready currently but I will tell Darren you are interested in doing it and we will send you the necessary files later today. Thanks for the offer!
or to give you the mo and po files in bulgarian for the old version!
Terrific features. Now I don’t have to make those customizations for my sites and it will be easier for my clients. I’ll go download it this morning.
I also haven’t received an email to upgrade my Mimbo Pro to 2.0. Did it go out yet?
Hi Josh – it did indeed go out. I sent it using the Mimbo Pro Google Group so if you didn’t sign up for that you will not have received it. However the details for upgrading are mentioned above. All you have to do is go to http://accounts.prothemedesign.com/ and login with your purchase email and reference number. You will then be given a coupon code for upgrading at a considerably reduced cost.
I’m glad to see the new release but a little bummed that it came out a week after I purchased v1.0
I made a lot of customizations to the template…will these all be written over with the upgrade? Are there any files that will not be replaced or overwritten in v2.0?
Billy
Hey Billy – could you contact me through the helpdesk please? I’ll answer your questions there
HI, I can translate your wonderful theme into Brazilian Portuguese.
Please get in touch and send me the file.
I’m also making my first wordpress premium theme. You can see it on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vteixeira/2987194347/
Hi Victor – thanks for the offer. The translation details are on the bottom of Mimbo Pro help page
I love the color, and the corousel in center. I love really super compltere theme like mimbo. Thanks
Hi – did not receive any update email. Please can u send? Thanks
Hi David – you can read the update email at the Pro Theme Design Google Group here : http://groups.google.com/group/pro-theme-design/browse_thread/thread/6ba05bdf12836d20
Looks perfect and l think thats all we need for a small blog site, well done.