The final release version of Thesis 1.8 is now available for download. Be sure to download the new version and upgrade your current installation. If you are new to Thesis, now’s a good time to get in on the action.
So, What’s New in Thesis 1.8?
Here are links to some posts I’ve already written which cover some of the new features in Thesis version 1.8:
And here’s some additional new features:
- SEO Character Counters
- WordPress Navigation Menu Support
- Category/Tag/Taxonomy Page Options
- Custom Loop API
Search engines will only show a specific number of characters in the <title> and <meta> description fields. Thesis 1.8 now helps you work within these constraints by offering character counters on appropriate input fields throughout the WordPress interface. This is really useful and can often times be overlooked when creating posts. I always add these meta values to my posts, and don’t really consider the length. This new feature in Thesis 1.8 makes this process so easy.
One of the best updates in WordPress 3.0 is the navigation menu builder, and Thesis 1.8 offers full support for this new feature. Best of all, if you choose to use the WordPress nav menu, you’ll be able to tweak its design by using Thesis’ existing nav menu design controls.
In Thesis version 1.7, a new “Page Options” system was introduced that allowed you to add SEO details like <title> and <meta> content to category and tag pages. There are three notable changes to this system in Thesis version 1.8. First, all of these options have been moved to a more logical position: inside WordPress’ category and tag editing pages. Now, you can edit everything in one place without having to switch between different pages inside the admin interface.
Also, you will be able to add a unique headline and unique content to every category, tag, or taxonomy page on your site! This has certain implications for SEO, and it will also allow you to create pages that are more useful for your users.
Finally, Thesis version 1.8 now offers full support for custom taxonomy pages in addition to category and tag pages. Should you choose to use custom taxonomies on your site, you’ll be able to benefit from Thesis’ customization controls and SEO benefits.
An exciting new feature for developers is the new Custom Loop. This is a powerful and flexible tool with the following premise:
The Custom Loop API allows you to target and modify the content area of every type of WordPress page and every page of your website. In other words, this is the ultimate custom template system. For an in-depth look and some examples, check out the Custom Loop API documentation.
There are also a bunch of minor improvements in addition to the new features listed above. Upgrading to Thesis 1.8 is the same as 1.7. Here are links to upgrading instructions, or for installing Thesis 1.8 for the first time:
Join thousands of other discerning bloggers who use Thesis. Click here for a video introduction to Thesis and see what all the fuss is about!
Was this post helpful? Consider subscribing to my blog via RSS or
Julie @SavvyEats (9)
Ammar Ali (7)
Kulwant Nagi (7)
anandy (6)
Amandeep Singh (5)
Dave (5)
Dr. Lawrence Kindo (5)
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey can you tell me diffrence between thesis personal edition and thesis devoloper edition.
Dj Trinity recently posted..Behringer BCD2000 review & Mapper for Virtual DJ 60
What’s up Dj. Yes, the are numerous differences. The main difference between the Developer’s option and the Personal option is that on the Dev. option, you can install the theme on an unlimited number of your own sites. There are numerous other benefits and you can read about them here at the Thesis plans and pricing page.