ArtyBlogs

All ArtyBlogs themes are now "widgeted". What the heck is a widget, you might ask? Well, as Automattic.com (the originators of WordPress widgets) state:

A widget is something that you might want on your sidebar, such as a category list or the most recent comments or a link to your admin pages. There is even a widget that lets you type whatever you want in the sidebar, such as some HTML or Javascript code.

How is all this useful? Well, what it means is that it makes it much easier to put things where you want them on your sidebar (or sidebars if you have more than one). You can move your categories to the top and your search bar to the bottom if that's what you want. In other words you no longer have to hard-code your theme's sidebar.php template if you want to add things or make changes.

To make use of widgets you will need to download the widget plugin from Automattic. The standard plugin comes with a few widgets to get you on your way. There are also a vast array of third-party widgets for WordPress, with more being made every week.

So, with this in mind, we've jumped on the bandwagon and made sure that all of the themes featured here are widgeted. Now, because widgets change the way your sidebar works, we've had to create our own ArtyBlogs Graphical Sidebar widgets to make sure that those themes which have image "headers" (like categories, archives, links etc.) will still work with your widgeted version of WordPress, otherwise the headers won't show up and you'll be left with the default text versions. We have several zipped files on offer, which you can download below. These widgets will work regardless of whatever ArtyBlogs theme you are using - providing of course that the images are in the correct place.

So what if you're using an older version of WordPress (like 1.5) that isn't widget-ready? Fear not, intrepid blogger! Each theme should downgrade so that you will still have the same look as a widgeted WordPress installation, and you can still hard-code your sidebar.php file if you want to add or change things around.

ArtyBlogs Graphical Sidebar Widget Downloads

ArtyBlogs Full Sidebar Widget (Default Install)

This widget is for people who don't want to mess around with their WordPress installation too much, but still want to have all of the features that the default installation has - only with graphical sidebar images instead of text for the main sections (Categories, Archives, Pages, Links etc.) It's basically a "bare bones" collection of standard WordPress sidebar features, only with graphics!

Please note that you need to enable this widget INSTEAD OF enabling the Automattic one. If the Automattic widget is enabled then this one will not work. If you want you mix and match various widgets then please download and enable our individual Graphical Sidebar Widgets instead. Check our FAQ page for more customization and troubleshooting tips.

Click the link below to download this widget.

Download Full Sidebar Widget

Individual Graphical Sidebar Widgets

ArtyBlogs Graphical Sidebar widgets can also be downloaded individually - in case you want to be able to move them around in a different order from the default, or not include some of them at all. Again we offer all of the default WordPress "sections" plus a few others, so you can pick and choose as you wish.

ArtyBlogs Search Widget

Just a basic search box, but with a "Search This Site" image above it. For those looking for it, this one will give an extra kick to your boring old search box.

Click the link below to download this widget.

Download Search Widget

ArtyBlogs Author Widget

The "Author" section is normally commented out in the default WordPress theme (Kubrick), but we've included it here as a standalone widget. You will, however, need to change the text to your own liking, which you can easily do with a text editor before uploading (or from within the WordPress admin.)

Click the link below to download this widget.

Download Author Widget

ArtyBlogs Pages Widget

This widget will list all of the static pages you have on your blog, as opposed to your posts.

Click the link below to download this widget.

Download Pages Widget

ArtyBlogs Archives Widget

A graphical upgrade to your archive links.

Click the link below to download this widget.

Download Archives Widget

ArtyBlogs Categories Widget

A fairly standard Categories view made better. You can change some of the parameters by going to the WordPress Codex and reading up on how to go about it. Otherwise just leave it as it is.

Click the link below to download this widget.

Download Categories Widget

ArtyBlogs Links Widget

Some people say "Links", others say "Blogroll". Either way they're pretty much the same thing as far as WordPress is concerned. If you want your header image to say "Blogroll" instead, just download and install the Blogroll widget. The code for both widgets is virtually the same.

Click the link below to download this widget.

Download Links Widget

ArtyBlogs Meta Widget

Contains your login, register and "kudos" links. We hope you don't mind but we've added a link to ArtyBlogs as well, down the bottom. Although we'd appreciate it staying there (in return for our many hours of slaving over a hot computer screen) we won't mind if you really want to remove it.

Click the link below to download this widget.

Download Meta Widget

ArtyBlogs Blogroll Widget

As stated earlier, for those who want "Blogroll" instead of "Links" as a title header.

Click the link below to download this widget.

Download Blogroll Widget

ArtyBlogs Recent Posts Widget

A graphical widget to show your latest posts.

Click the link below to download this widget.

Download Recent Posts Widget

ArtyBlogs Sponsored Links Widget

A much nicer way to display your AdSense, Amazon, Clicksor or any other affiliate sponsorship in your sidebar. Essentially this is just the graphic though, as there's no real code to speak of. You'll have to add your affiliate code in an ArtyBlogs Text box widget below it (or use a widget designed specifically for the job).

Click the link below to download this widget.

Download Sponsored Links Widget

ArtyBlogs Other Stuff Widget

Again, just a header image (no code). This is your basic "Go-To" widget for those things that don't fit in to your standard sidebar stuff (and those widgets we haven't made yet.) Again, you can use an ArtyBlogs Text box widget below this header image.

Click the link below to download this widget.

Download Other Stuff Widget

ArtyBlogs Text Widget

The standard text widget for WordPress comes with a title box at the top - which is all good and well for most installations, but can look a bit "gappy" with other graphical sidebar widgets. The ArtyBlogs Text widget has no title box above it, so is ideal when used in conjunction with a graphical header such as our "Sponsored Links" or "Other Stuff" widgets (or any other header widgets we dream up in the future).

Click the link below to download this widget.

Download Text Widget