Choose Open Source WordPress Themes Wisely
So, I get a really cool email from a guy named Dave who invites me over to his really cool and promising blog that happens to be about the BlackBerry. At this point I am totally excited. Seriously, how cool is that? I just bought a BlackBerry, I love it… I take it with me everywhere I go. I talk to my friends on it, I check my email, I can instant message… and then I get connected with a really cool blog that is nothing but all about BlackBerry.
It was just two days ago when I wrote a blog about someone being a FeedBurner Fake and sure enough the BlackBerry blog I just went to happens to be doing the same damn thing.
Here is the site:
http://www.mobishark.com/blog/
Here is the fake:
Here is the crazy part about this though. Dave is kind of new to blogging and hired someone to design the theme for him. This theme that he is using is a spin off of a free WordPress theme provided by http://themesdemo.wpthemesplugin.com/themesdemo/
This post has actually been edited. The original threw bombs at Dave because I thought that he was a dishonest blogger. But as it turns out. The WP designer is the person at fault. However, I do think Dave should have been more proactive with correcting this issue.
To anyone else reading this… please take heart to what I am saying. When you’re choosing a theme for your blog, look at it very carefully. Inspect it. Make sure there are no sponsored links at the bottom of the page linking to credit card sites or random weird things. Also, I guess you need to make sure that there isn’t anything else shady going on such as this fake FeedBurner graphic found in Dave’s blog.
By the way, there tends to be a trend of bloggers who voluntarily modify their FeedBurner chicklet to make their blogs look bigger than what they are. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not. The blogosphere wants real people not fakes. The blogosphere can continue to grow and continue to become one of the largest source pools for finding information. But please people… keep your blogs real man. Keep it real and soon you will find that people indeed will love you for who you are. People will love the fact that you have a BlackBerry blog and subscribe to you. People will enjoy your blog for the person who is behind the computer screen writing the content.
You want a good example of a cool blog?
Sorry Gord for putting you on the spot here. LOL!!!
Check out this blog:
This guy is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer who lives in Milford, Nova Scotia, Canada who fixes multi-million dollar aircraft. He is very devoted and passionate about his career and consequently, he applies the same passion and values into his blog.
Now come on… how freaking cool is that? That is awesome. That’s blogging man!! That’s what it’s about. That is what I call a good blog! That is what I call keeping shit real. And THAT is what I totally expect from anyone who stumbles upon my blog and invests the time into sending me an email, instant message, phone call, snail mail or even smoke signals.
I expect all these qualities within myself; however, I expect the same qualities within my readership. And that is the BOTTOM line.
Be real… be yourself… and then people will come to visit you and become readers for life and to me, that is what blogging is all about.
Huge loss for Dave… Hey, I am just a regular guy with a stupid blog just like everyone else. But I could have been Dave’s #1 fan, and I still might, but it really puts a damper on things when I see things like this.
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Date/Time: 6-24-2008 03:39:38 Comment #16018
It’s not that he is a fake it’s one small thing posted on his blog I took mine off btw,I don’t think you should judge people on the wrong in their live’s rather re program your thinking and try to find the good in people. That’s words to live by Gary.
Only one person was perfect and it’s not you are me brother.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 03:51:15 Comment #16022
Dude don’t go all Religious on me. I am a Saved Christian so don’t tell me about being all perfect. It is wrong what you’re doing. I don’t talk about my religious beliefs on my blog; however, you really need to look in the mirror and speak what you said out loud while looking at yourself in it.
You are or were misrepresenting your RSS subscription numbers. And now it seems that you’re riding the coat tails of John Cow dot Com, whom is a person who I totally respect and have grown to like.
That is so ignorant. You rip off his graphic and from what it seems you used something totally cheesy such as MSPaint to modify it and piece it back together adding your own text to it. Whatever man good luck with your ventures in blogging. You have a lot to learn… more so in life in general and less in blogging.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 03:48:54 Comment #16020
Garry You Have Every Right To Be Mad Hate Fake People Everyone Just Be Your Self Life Will Be So Much Better Lol ~Nick~
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 12:36:43 Comment #16051
Hi Nick,
You’re funny… but yes, just be yourself… (your gangsta pics are funny)
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 04:44:59 Comment #16023
Well thats good to hear oh and I didn’t rip anyone off I edited everything the new header Image that is.
I know cow also! Just wrote a post about his contest!
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 12:38:28 Comment #16052
… you’re such a creative person.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 05:15:07 Comment #16026
lol, I know I my blog doesn’t have very much to offer but at least my pathetic feed count is real…though it hasn’t changed up or down more than 1 since a while after I started so those 4-5 people on the list may have died since then :(.
Although this isn’t an excuse for either of these past blogs, one thing to consider is some of the free themes come with the creators feed link/information edited in. I know if I didn’t spent the time to figure out how to change my own to my own feed it would have been way off as well. Not the same thing as above but keep that in mind when checking out some new blogs…they just may not have edited themes or may not even know how (I didn’t until I eventually tried to add my own lol).
Garry, why don’t you start your own blackberry blog ;)? You could just post tips and info as you learn and research it for your own uses and then if/when you get a different phone in the future you could always flip it lol ;).
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 12:43:50 Comment #16053
Right. I understand that. But viewing the source file on the graphic won’t appear from PhotoBucket and also the Feed RSS URL would link to different content. Good thing to consider though. Others can check for this for sure. Nice work.
Because I don’t know anything about them. I was turning to someone else for support. Sure, I could do a nice niche blog about the BlackBerry, but my content would all be about deals, packages, various software downloads, etc… and not about tech support. Although, I guess I could find a partner who was a BlackBerry “Expert” to cover a few support and technical articles.
Date/Time: 6-25-2008 21:48:14 Comment #16138
Gee Garry. Want me to ask around for someone who knows about the BB? I might be able to find someone. LOL
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 08:26:45 Comment #16034
Hey Garry! I know it sucks I’ve been fooled by that as well. But I used to have a chicklet just like that, it wasn’t on purpose as it came with the layout and I didn’t have time to remove it so it was up there for a month until I got a 500 dollar ad offer which I found hilarious and then finally took the time to place the real chicklet up.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 12:45:37 Comment #16055
No doubt? What theme was that and who was the designer? That is crazy… I am kind of glad to hear that though as it kind of opens my eyes on considering why this is happening.
Of course now that you said that, Dave from this blog can default and say it was included with his theme.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 12:57:48 Comment #16057
I have no idea I lost contact with the designer as I got the theme about 5 months ago. Also, if you look at his image the image is hosted on the theme’s images directory, if it was on purpose then it’d probably be on a “Pictures” directory not in the themes directory.
Have you tried and asked him why his feedburner is like that?
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 13:00:01 Comment #16058
Are you telling me that the current theme you are using on http://www.thegermz.com/ did this?
As far as using the themes image directory for stuff, I do that all the time. The Feedburner image need to pull from FeedBurner otherwise it won’t work and it will stay the same number…
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 14:19:30 Comment #16066
Yeah, I believe he got his template from this website
http://wpthemesplugin.com
Now that I remember that is the same place where I got mine from. And I believe the guy places the feedburner images there just to let the user know what it would look like.
I didn’t know about storing the images in the theme directory, I don’t do it because I find its faster to just install them on the main directory.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 14:22:18 Comment #16068
Sorry for the double post but I don’t see an edit feature. Anyway I found out that he got the template from that place because as you can see by the theme directory name the template is called “Mozes francis” or something like that, anyway I simply looked it up on Google and it’s the name of a wordpress designer.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 15:26:43 Comment #16075
Awesome job Germz… See my most recent comment at the bottom.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 11:49:22 Comment #16039
Why give all the link love Gary?
Crunchnow dot com-Supernatural perfectness?That’s perfect!!!
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 12:44:37 Comment #16054
It took me to a while to realize what you were talking about when I clicked over to the blog but then I read the rest of your post and checked the blog out again and realized that you were telling the truth about him faking his subscribers. My goal is to hit 1,000 subscribers and until I do I will just not be putting the numbers on my blog. I don’t believe that you should lie especially when it comes to something as silly as this. I have also seen a lot of people write post on how much money that they have made but in reality it was all a scam.
I truly enjoyed the blog Gord’s Home Biz it was interesting to say the least. I was surprised by all the opps that he does and he never tells someone how good that it is and that they should sign up. He simply just puts down his experience with them and lets you decide for yourself.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 12:55:08 Comment #16056
Gord puts a ton of time into his blog. If he is pitching products then that is great. At least the pitch is coupled around 1000 words of great content. From what I see it’s a home business blog, but Gord has some trouble keeping himself from mixing in other personal interests.
I like Gord as a person and that comes out in his writing. I believe that he is new to blogging as well and has a lot to learn. However, he has a huge edge on it because of the personal qualities his brings. That’s my perception at least.
Date/Time: 6-25-2008 21:50:19 Comment #16139
Man, I was in Nova Scotia last summer. That was an AWESOME place. Wish I would have know to look up Gord…
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 14:09:06 Comment #16064
Ok, so as I suspected, I would get an email from Dave:
Dave,
I don’t think that it’s very professional of you tricking people into thinking that your blog is something that it’s not.
Yes, I was and I stated that in my post. My day ended much worse after this discovery. You have a nice blog and it disappointed me to see that you, the author of the blog, would trick your readership.
I think the only apology needed is one written by you directed to your readers on your blog. It should also explain the corrective measures you’ll be taking to accurately represent your subscription numbers.
I don’t doubt your experience or knowledge. I agree too, no one needs the negative attention like I have given to you. However, back when you were faced with that fork in the road… the deciding factor: should I fake it or should I be real, you decided to fake it. You had the freedom and the choice to decide either way and you chose to lie.
You’re acting like a victim. You’re going to try to tell me that you were NEVER aware of the FeedBurner graphic that rides TOP FOLD on every page on your blog. You’re going to tell me that you never questioned what that was?
And then you’re going to tell me that, “Hey it’s not my fault… it’s the designer’s fault.”
Bullshit… it’s your blog you are responsible for it. You are responsible for the content, the design and the information you broadcast or advertise.
I’d have sympathy for your situation if I believed you. But, I don’t. I’d like to, but I am just not buying it.
I’ll leave that up to my readership.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 15:33:45 Comment #16077
Thanks to Germz, it has been pointed out to me that the theme Dave uses does indeed include a fake FeedBurner graphic. Wow… So yes indeed, an apology goes out to Dave and I will be sure to re-direct my missiles on WPTHemesPlugin.com
Check this out: http://themesdemo.wpthemesplugin.com/themesdemo/
Dave, get a new theme man… for real. Heck, I’ll man up and even make one for you to cover my mistake in calling you out.
Drop me an email and let me know some previous designs you like and I’ll make a new one for you.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 15:42:43 Comment #16079
That’s my theme lol!
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 15:48:28 Comment #16080
That’s pretty wild. Thanks for letting me know about that. It’s things like that that really movitivate me to work on developing more themes for the community.
No sponsored links… no gimmicks… no tricks… just really nice coded and beautiful themes. Granted a link back to my blog would be in the footer for credit, but that’s all I’d want in return is credit for the work.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 15:41:23 Comment #16078
No forgiveness lol.
As much as it sucks, Dave still had time to delete the little image yet you can still clearly see it.
And it doesn’t really take more than a minute to edit the sidebar.php I deleted the image after the $500 offer lol.
You’d think that a post made by another blogger read by other couple hundred bloggers might do the job but apparently it doesn’t. So Dave did not learn his lesson.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 15:50:55 Comment #16081
Well…
The more I think about it. I am in the wrong. I edited the post. I shouldn’t be like that. And even though you are right and I feel the same way. He has a valid card he is playing on.
The fact is that the theme he uploaded already came with that installed. That doesn’t strip him of responsibility, but it does put this situation into a complete different playing field.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 15:56:35 Comment #16083
Good point, maybe this post will make people use less fake feedburner images.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 16:04:57 Comment #16087
Or download the themes I create.
Actually, I am wanting to do more wp themes. I think there is a huge opportunity for me to expand out and make some really snazzy themes.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 16:12:46 Comment #16089
Yeah I have thought about making WP themes but I’m so lazy I won’t even make my own. I’ll just stick to the landing pages and mini website designs. I might start making Wp themes in the future if I get some time seeing as they require much patience.
A backlink in the footer will get you tons of backlinks especially if you add dofollow to the link :O
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 15:55:06 Comment #16082
He did request you remove it Nicely,I could see where this is not his mistake maybe to a certain degree.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 15:58:15 Comment #16085
Oh like I am really going to consider your opinion on the matter.
BTW I think you have about 30 ppl that are waiting for you to reply back:
http://entrecard.com/forums/3/9844
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 15:56:41 Comment #16084
Hey Gary,
How do you add the “CHECK ME OUT” button at the top of comments?
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 15:58:38 Comment #16086
Google it….
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 16:06:26 Comment #16088
I’m currently in communication with Graham it Seems like one of his mods locked my account temporary until I remove a image I will update the thread when I get a reply back :[
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 16:15:03 Comment #16090
A mod locked your account. What’s that tell ya?
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 16:21:00 Comment #16091
Well something happend I’m not completly sure if a mod locked the account,We are looking into it now!
Been on entrecard when they first launched several months ago.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 20:48:39 Comment #16095
Maybe it’s karma.
Date/Time: 6-24-2008 21:41:49 Comment #16096
WOW….this was an interesting read, sorry I missed all the action, hehe!
Funny how people pull some crap like this eh?
Date/Time: 6-26-2008 05:48:49 Comment #16176
hmmmmm, I remember seeing these themes with the fake numbers. I always assumed they were just for the demo, to show you where you should put your feed. I know it’s easy if you don’t do much with your theme, to simply upload it and move on.
But, after someone brings it to your attention, you should at least try to address it. Hey, I’m trying to give the benefit of the doubt here
But, I think you have proved that some people intentionally fudgeup the feedburner stats. I don’t really know what else to say, I know it can happen by accident, but some are doing it on purpose.
Date/Time: 6-26-2008 07:02:39 Comment #16180
In fairness, if he is really new to blogging, he may not understand how to remove the image. I know several people who were so confused when they first started blogging that they couldn’t even figure out how to make a post on their WP blog, much less edit or remove anything! lol
Date/Time: 6-26-2008 09:03:16 Comment #16184
Dear Garry,
I read the post and all the comments with much interest. (Well, I ALWAYS read your posts with much interest!)
But this one really touched a nerve, not because I think this fella was a trickster, but because I could have made the same mistake so easily.
I am so technically ignorant that, even if I found an error on my site, I wouldn’t know how to fix it!
BTW, just to set the record straight, I THINK I have 27 subscribers! Guess it wouldn’t be beneficial for me to have one of those little gizmos on my site, huh?
Wait! I better go check and see if there is one!
Bye for now!
Brennan
Date/Time: 6-26-2008 21:45:36 Comment #16197
First, Garry I know you are in contact with John Cow, does he know about this guy’s graphic?
Second, I really think you were too quick to apoligize. If you are using a theme that has false information, find a different theme or find a way to fix it. For those of us that can edit themes, I’m sure we would have been glad to help before the site went live. Wordpress has a ton of information and a ton of people willing to help on its site.
Date/Time: 7-10-2008 17:29:59 Comment #16816
Hi Garry,
A belated thank you for including me in your article
and your kind words and those of your commentators.
You are right…I tend to stray off course a bit at times
but when an inspiration hits me, I have this urge to Blog
about it. I guess I’ll eventually get a reign on those impulses
but all business is a bit “dry” too. Have a good one!