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1. mfiorentino
   Member
   Posted 6 years ago #
   

   I just wondered if it is possible to review a new theme design without having it on "live", i.e. having one's old theme up an running for the public, while testing out a new design "in the background", perhaps by using some sort of special URL or the like, such as www.yourblog.com/the/usual/url/test_theme/theme_name/. This would eliminate the need for having a "local" copy of one's entire site just for the sake of designing a new layout.

2. maerk
   Member
   Posted 6 years ago #
   

   I don't think this is possible I'm afraid.

   BTW, I usually find it a lot faster to design something locally before making it live: I don't have to wait for the file to upload!

3. mfiorentino
   Member
   Posted 6 years ago #
   

   Yeah, I know, but for me it's just too cumbersome to set up a localhost web server and MySQL database, then migrate the data from the WP Database etc. and then after finishing the redesign just leave it and never use it on my machine until 1-2 years has gone by and I need to redesign again... :-)

   Thanks for the reply btw. :-)

4. alanstancliff
   Member
   Posted 6 years ago #
   

   Assuming you're using Windoze, you can install a server on your hard drive. It's a lot easier than you think. You might want to check out this site:
   http://www.urbangiraffe.com/2005/05/22/installing-wordpress-on-your-own-windows-computer/

   Regards,

   Alan

5. mfiorentino
   Member
   Posted 6 years ago #
   

   Thanks Alan! :-)

   I'm using Mac, though, but even if I did use Windows, just the unnecessary hassle with having this running on my machine is to me tiring. Especially if I'm not going to use the server / database at all after my work is done. Seems like too much to go through.

   I mean, somehow, WordPress knows what theme I am using, because I select it in the admin panel, right? and I can change this with a flip of a switch, right? Now, if I could either use a special link (like stated in my previous post), or perhaps insert a special WP tag like <?php wp_use_theme('themename'); ?> in my test code (lying in a separate folder, away from my main (& 'public') web site), my prayers would be heard :-)

   Or perhaps more correctly, since my test theme would not be the active one, but still be present in the same folder as the other themes:
   <?php wp_test_using_content_from_main_db(); ?>
   and then surf to the theme directory www.mysite.com/wp-content/themes/theme_name/ and see the result in all its glory... (Do I make myself clear? I'm doubting it.)

   I've been snooping around in the documentation without finding such tags, though. But can they be made?

6. sadish
   Member
   Posted 6 years ago #
   

   mfiorentino,

   you are asking for a very easy thing to do.

   Search for "Theme Switcher", in this site and you will get a link to the plugin you must be installing.
   I also uploaded it to sadish.wordpress.com incase you dont find it elsewhere.

   Thanks
   Sadish

7. mfiorentino
   Member
   Posted 6 years ago #
   

   Thanks Sadish!

   So with
   <?php
global $user_ID;
get_currentuserinfo();
if ( $user_ID ) {
wp_theme_switcher('dropdown');
} #endif
?>
   I can exclusively have a dropdown with a theme switcher on my template pages. Brilliant. And thanks for hosting the plugin!

8. moshu
   Member
   Posted 6 years ago #
   

   Actually, there is a plugin for the intial question, it's called (you guessed) Preview Theme:
   http://codex.wordpress.org/Plugins/Admin_Tools

9. niceric
   Member
   Posted 6 years ago #
   

   hmmmmm

   What I did is simply create a sub domain and test my theme!

   :)

10. mfiorentino
    Member
    Posted 6 years ago #
    

    And the help keeps pouring in! Thanks all!!! :-D

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