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Like last three years , its Diwali time again when everyone here in India gets in the celebration mood and so does all of us here at templatic. It will be a special Diwali for us due to the release of our most exciting product till date Tevolution, Everyone have worked so hard on this product and its about time we sit back and catch up to some fun time during the festive season. So, we will be observing five day holiday starting from Sunday, November 11th to Thursday, November 15th 2012.

Let me shed some light on the history behind Diwali, It commemorates the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas and by bursting firecrackers and since then we are following this ritual every year on this auspicious day of Diwali.

Talking about Theme Support, two of our away support members Vedran and Russell will try their best to respond to all support queries as soon as they can but response time will surely get affected.

Since most of the Billing and Coding related issues are handled by the staff in India those support queries will get hit the most. We sincerely request your patience in these four days.

We wish all of you a very Happy Diwali :)

Two weeks ago we released something really important to all of us at Templatic – Tevolution. After two (more) weeks of rigorous testing we believe the plugin and Nightlife are ready for the spotlight!

If this is your first time hearing about Nightlife and Tevolution we recommend you check out the following:

• Initial Tevolution and Nightlife blog post
• Nightlife sales page
• Tevolution info page

A number of improvements have been made since the initial release, here’s some of them:

• Event detail page now displays how many members are coming to the event
• Author pages display information about the active subscription package
  
• Improved transaction details section – it shows more information now
• Set default listing status for both free and paid events (submitted using the Submit Event form)
• Changed Tevolution Dashboard to look more like the upcoming WordPress 3.5
• Improved slider widget + slider search. You can now search locations without the need to input a keyword (event name)

Extensions / Add-ons

Although feature packed, not everything will be included inside the main plugin. Payment gateways such as 2CO, Authorize.net or Google Checkout are available as paid extensions (PayPal is integrated with the system). These add-ons are $39 each. Club members have access to all add-ons!

Support and updates

Like most other plugins, Tevolution supports automatic updates. When an update becomes available WordPress will display a notification. You can then update the plugin from the WordPress dashboard. Nightlife on the other hand still has to be updated the old fashioned way – by uploading the latest version to your server. The only difference is, this time a notification will be displayed in WordPress alerting you that a new version of the theme is available.

Since this is a new (extremely complex) product some hiccups are possible. If you notice any issues please post them in our forums. All problems will be taken care of within 48 hours. Most of the team is committed solely to this so expect fast replies and fast fixes.

Purchasing Nightlife

Since Nightlife depends on Tevolution they come bundled together. Purchasing the theme gets you both the theme and the plugin. The plugin will not be sold separately, at least not at this point. Even though Nightlife cannot be used without Tevolution, the plugin itself is not limited to Nightlife, you’re free to use it with other themes (but don’t expect everything to look as nice). You are also free to use Tevolution with non-Templatic themes, just keep in mind that support will not be provided for those themes

Limited Time Offer
Starting now and ending on November 14th, 2012 – Nightlife standard license can be purchased for $89 $59. The developer license will set you back $189 $119. The discount is applied automatically at checkout; there are no coupon codes, just checkout like you normally would.

View Live Demo, take a Test Drive orPurchase Nightlife

Hopefully we managed to explain what Tevolution is all about. If something is still unclear don’t hesitate to contact us. As always, we hope you’ll leave a comment below and tell us what you think about this release.

Tevolution plugin has been officially released and is available for purchase (bundled with Nightlife). Read more about the plugin by clicking here

The following video will explain some of the functionality provided by the Tevolution plugin. The overview video will cover these areas

• Plugin Dashboard
• How to manage various post types
• Bulk Upload/Expor
• Managing custom fields
• Monetization options
• User profile fields options
• Setting up the submission form
• General Settings area

For best viewing experience watch the video in HD and Full Screen mode

Post Update:
Tevolution and Nightlife have been officially released! Click here to read more about it.

“A bold title” is what most of you are likely thinking. Yes it is, let us explain why.

Templatic is known for creating themes that are among the most complex in the business. While that’s all well and good, releasing several (complex) themes in a short time period becomes a challenge. This is one of the reasons why we changed how often new themes are released – it became really hard sticking to that 1-theme-per-month idea. The solution we’re introducing today will not only make creating new themes easier, but will also offer unique functionality. These features are a first for Templatic, and maybe even WordPress in general.

This solution we’re talking about is called Tevolution (Templatic Evolution). It is a plugin developed from ground up, designed to enable advanced functionality such as custom fields management, bulk upload, monetization options, custom post type/taxonomy management and much more (seriously). The plugin is modular, meaning you can turn off the features you do not need. Because of this, adding new features and updating existing ones is much easier. This will allow faster product updates without worrying about your design customizations, making future updates painless for everyone.

Nightlife is the first theme powered by Tevolution (available only to club members and beta testers at the moment). It’s purpose is similar to our existing Events theme but offers far superior functionality and a completely new design and focus. To see Nightlife in action check out the demo site. We’ll talk more about Nightlife later in the post, for now let’s focus on the plugin.

Tevolution Features

Tevolution is a massive plugin, and no matter how much we talk about it here there will still be things that had to be omitted (from the blog post). Here’s an overview of the most important aspects of Tevolution.

Custom post types/taxonomies

Since most of our themes come with custom post types and taxonomies, “How to add another post type/taxonomy?” is a question we hear a lot. While not impossible, it was far from convenient or easy. In Tevolution you can create as many post types as you want! Each post type you add comes with (automatically generated) matching widget areas. The second you add a new post type, the plugin will automatically create 3 new sidebar areas (for detail, listing and submit form pages). Of course, appropriate back-end section will be created as well (see image below). The best thing about this functionality is how it seamlessly integrates with custom fields and price packages…

Monetization and price packages

Price Packages in our previous themes were pretty flexible but there was still room for improvement.
In Tevolution they have been expanded to enable subscription options as well as single-submission price packages. This will enable you to set up a price package that charges the user for a single submission and another one that enables him/her to submit a fixed (or unlimited) number of listings in a preset time frame. The best part about price packages in Tevolution is that you can create new packages for all the custom post types you added. Each package is both taxonomy and term (category) specific!

Along with price packages, coupons were also improved. Now you can set coupons to last a limited amount of time (set a start/end date).

Custom Fields

The custom fields functionality originally provided in GeoPlaces v4 was pretty advanced so we continued to build upon it. In Tevolution custom fields were again improved and refined even further. Just like price packages, all created custom fields will work with all your custom post types. They are both taxonomy and category specific. Along with the search and detail page, now you can show custom fields inside success pages (pages that show after content submission), listing pages, WordPress back-end and even emails!

And then it all comes together…

The mentioned custom post types, price packages and custom fields all help you create the submission form. In previous themes submission forms/pages were unique and often featured “ugly” URLs. Such limitations are history now. Creating a submission page is as easy as creating a regular WordPress page and selecting the proper page template! Page name and slug (basically the URL) will be what you set, it won’t be forced by the theme. Using the Submit Form page template you can set up a submission form for each post type you previously created.

Other awesome Tevolution features

• Improved Bulk Upload/Export functionality – now with the ability to update existing listings!
• Custom Page templates – setup your submit, map and advanced search pages easily using custom page templates
• Currency options – select any currency symbol and code
• PayPal payment gateway – with options to install new ones
• Advanced transaction management – now comes with search functionality (inside the back-end)
• User Custom Fields – with specific options for showing the field on Registration, Edit and User Dashboard page
• Advanced anti spam options – WP-reCAPTCHA and PlayThru support
• Claim Ownership functionality – it’s possible to enable it for all available post types
• Security Settings – block specific IP addresses or enable SSL for register and submit pages
• Social Media sharing options – Google+, Facebook and Twitter buttons can be included inside post detail pages

Tevolution Video Tour

More about Nightlife

Nightlife design is very unique with white, black and orange as primary colors. Even though multiple skins are not provided, colors can be easily changed using the WordPress Customizer. Along with all the features previously mentioned, here are some of the Nightlife-specific features that make it the best events theme available!

Recurring Events

In Nightlife you and your visitors can easily create new events, both regular and recurring. Recurrence can be set based on days, weeks, months and even years. Here’s a screenshot of how the (front-end) section looks like

Mobile Friendly

To make the theme easy to use on both desktops and mobile devices – Nightlife is completely responsive! You can test out responsiveness by visiting the demo site with your mobile phone or by opening it in this nifty website.

Facebook Integration

Using built-in features and third-party plugins you can enable visitors to connect their Facebook profiles (and pages) with your site. Each user can display Facebook events from their Facebook page inside his/hers user dashboard. The admin (you) can showcase Facebook events using a page template provided in wp-admin -> Pages. Facebook user profiles are connected with Nightlife using the free WordPress Social Login plugin.

The Homepage

Homepage slider in Nightlife is one of the best we’ve created so far. You can use it with static images (like in the demo) or with actual events. Of course, slider search functionality can be enabled/disabled with a click of a button.
Another cool thing about the homepage is the fact that every visitor can change the layout by switching between grid and list view.

Category Page Slider

A small feature, but one that works extremely well in Nightlife. Each category page can now feature a slider with one image from each of the events. To see it in action just open any demo site category.

Shortcodes

Just like recently released Catalog, Nightlife is also using new Templatic shortcodes. These shortcodes are enabled by installing a plugin (instructions are inside the theme guide) and are very easy to use. To see which ones are available open the following page.

Availability

Based on the features we just presented it’s obvious this is a very complex plugin that requires a lot of testing to perfect. The plugin has been tested internally for weeks but we would also like your input. Starting now, Nightlife + Tevolution are available in the member area to all Club members. If you find a bug, post it in the forums.

The road ahead

As mentioned earlier, Tevolution will become an integral part of most future Templatic themes. After the initial version gets stable, the journey on this will continue with awesome plans we have for this. In short, it only gets better from here.

For all of you that hanged in there until the end and actually read all of this – thank you and let us know what you think of this WOW moment in the comments below! :)

Over the years a number of our members asked us to perform custom jobs but we had to turn them all down. Because of our hectic schedule, there is just no time for these custom jobs. Since we couldn’t complete the task ourselves, we always instructed you to use our customization site. While the site helped many to achieve their goal, there were also people that never received a reply. From now on the customization site won’t be your only solution, you can use tweaky.com

To start off this collaboration tweaky is offering a $10 discount (40%) on the first tweak for all Templatic members. This discount is valid until Friday – October 26th, 2012. Use the following coupon code to get the discount
Code: TMPLTC

Have fun customizing!

Last week we surprised many by announcing WooCommerce upgrades for all existing e-commerce themes. In the same blog post we mentioned a new theme (Catalog), boosted by a whole new mindset that will change Templatic e-commerce for good. The theme is finally here, it’s simple, responsive, clean and flexible, it’s Catalog!

The number one thing that makes Catalog special is it’s compatibility. Instead of settling for one e-commerce plugin now you can choose two! Not only that, the whole theme has been designed to embrace the functionality powerful plugins have to offer. Catalog was designed with following plugins in mind:

• WooCommerce
• Jigoshop
• bbPress
• WordPress SEO by Yoast

All of these plugins are free and available in the WordPress plugin directory. To learn more about each one click on it in the above list.

Catalog is unlike anything we created before; back-end area is very minimalistic and wordpressy ensuring that everyone feels right at home from the moment they install the theme. Unlike previous Templatic e-commerce themes, Catalog does not come with a built-in selling system, you must install a plugin to enable that functionality. Our goal was to create the most unobtrusive theme ever. With plugins such as WordPress SEO by Yoast completely free and available to anyone, should a theme really have built-in SEO options? Once you install the necessary plugins the theme will simply get out of your way, letting you focus on what matters.

Another novelty in Catalog are Shortcodes! Templatic shortcodes you’ve gotten used to over the years have been expanded and improved. Most notable inclusions are the progress bars, tabs, gallery variations and the accordion shortcode. All of these can be seen in action on the Catalog demo site, just open the shortcodes page.

Theme Support

Templatic staff will do its best to provide support for WooCommerce and Jigoshop plugins. Since we’re all new to the plugins it will take some time to take it all in. Your patience will be highly appreciated during this time. Templatic won’t attempt to edit (and redistribute) the plugins in any way. If any bugs are discovered, they will be reported to the plugin developers who will then do what is necessary. Support for WooCommerce and Jigoshop extensions will not be provided since every purchased extension comes with guaranteed support from WooThemes/Jigoshop.

Video Overview

Limited Time Offer

Purchase Catalog in the next week and get a discount! The standard license will set you back $65 $45. Price for the developer license (unlimited domains + PSD) is $99 $79. No coupons, no hassles – just checkout like you normally would! This deal ends on October 24, 2012 so be sure to act quickly.

View Live Demo or Test Drive and Purchase this theme

So, did Catalog turn out to be what you expected? Let us know in the comments.

E-commerce themes have been a part of Templatic for years now and it’s one of the things that helped define who we are. But, times change and plugins such as WooCommerce started matching and even surpassing the features available in our themes. The awesomeness of WooCommerce caused it to become very popular in a short amount of time. This in turn made our existing and future members start asking for WooCommerce compatibility in Templatic themes.

Today we are proud to announce that every Templatic e-commerce theme is WooCommmerce compatible! This includes:

• Market
• DigitalBox
• StoreBox
• Emporium
• e-Commerce
• WP Store
• KidzStore
• eShop
• Store

Each theme will work with the built-in e-commerce system or with WooCommerce. It is not possible to use both solutions at the same time

Existing members, listen up…

Existing e-commerce users should definitely read the following article before updating. WooCommerce products are vastly different compared to the built-in ones so expect to perform a few tweaks.

Another important change is in the way these themes will be distributed from now on. Until now, framework and child folders were provided as one zip file. Starting today you will have to download them separately (both are provided in the member area). This change was made so the framework can be uploaded faster. It will also enable you to access both change_log files right from member area.

Theme Support

Templatic staff will do its best to provide support for the WooCommerce plugin. Since we’re all new to the plugin it will take some time to take it all in. Your patience will be highly appreciated during this time. Templatic won’t attempt to edit the plugin in any way. All bug fixes will be reported to WooThemes who will then update the plugin. Support for WooCommerce extensions will not be provided since every purchased extension comes with guaranteed support from WooThemes.

Which system should I use?

It’s up to you to ultimately decide but we recommend using WooCommerce in case you just purchased an Ecommerce theme (or are planning to). Users with a small number of products should also consider switching to WooCommerce. The built in selling system will still be supported but new features will not be added. This is because we are hard at work on developing a brand new system which will replace the current eCom framework. First theme based on this system will be Catalog.

Catalog will feature an amazingly simple, clean and responsive design with support for not only WooCommerce, but Jigoshop as well! Here’s a quick teaser:

Update
Catalog has been released on October 15th. Click here to read more about the theme

What do you think about this change? Looking forward to using WooCommerce? Let us know in the comments below!

Though rarely, WordCamp has started happening in India now. Last year, it was Jabalpur, this year it’s being held at Mumbai on 20 and 21st October, 2012. (Rumors are, it’s happening in Baroda, Gujarat as well in January 2013). Though the final schedule is not posted on the website yet, this event will have a User track and a Developer track. Explanation on this could be found on registration page of the website. Choose the one that suits you.

If you are using WordPress professionally in any way, this is a wonderful opportunity to network with like minded people.

Visit: http://2012.mumbai.wordcamp.org/

The organizers has been kind enough to share a coupon for templatic users who wish to attend the event.

Coupon code: Get INR 500/- discount when you use “Templatic” coupon code at WordCamp Mumbai registration page.

We are pretty excited for this event and will be present there. On a personal note, we will be speaking at this event, sharing some insights and questions on templatic journey so far. If you are around that day, don’t forget to say “hello” :)

Even though it was always feature packed, GeoPlaces never boosted a responsive design – until now! Mobile friendly design is by far the most common request for GeoPlaces v4 so we couldn’t be happier to finally show it to you guys. The new update will also feature a couple of new settings and a few patches, but nothing worth mentioning individually.

This GeoPlaces update is available in member area for all existing members

Another thing we are extremely happy about is the GeoPlaces community inside our forums. The customization thread already boasts around 40 customizations which make customizing GeoPlaces a breeze. This is all thanks to our awesome members who often go out of their way to help others. Once again, thank you for everything! :)

To make content easier to find on Templatic site we are introducing the Docs Center. This center will include theme guides, tutorials and even videos. Included Instant Search will help you find what you need quickly and without hassles. Theme Guides have been excluded from search so be sure to read your the theme guide before searching for other content.

With this docs center we’re also looking to change the flow of the general support. This is what you should do to get the best support experience:

• Visit the docs center and read the theme guide
• In case of an issue use the search bar to find a solution. Also, make sure you read the recommended tutorials, they will come in handy when you start tweaking and customizing your theme
• In case you haven’t found a solution inside the docs center visit our community forums and search the forum of the theme you purchased
• If you haven’t found what you were looking for simply submit a new topic and explain in detail what’s going on. To get acquanted with forum rules please read the support guidelines topic

All you existing Templatic members are now probably wondering, “What about Helpdesk?” Templatic Helpdesk will continue to be operational and you can all still use it. That said, our community forums are booming with good content, awesome users and will be treated as the primary place to get support. The newly introduced forum reward system just sweetens the deal.

I should also mention that response times will likely be lower in the forums since more support members will work there compared to the Helpdesk. That, along with loads of helpful members will ensure that you never wait too long for a solution. Of course, complex issues, the ones that require us to connect to your site will still be handled in Helpdesk. You’ll be prompted to create a ticket whenever that will be necessary.

Because the docs center makes new support content so easy to find we’ll work extra hard on new tutorials and even videos. Feel free to use the comments below to suggest new tutorials for us. Try to suggest ones that are not theme-specific since all theme-specific content will be inside the theme guides.

Docs Center Community Forums