You can use most of the features of Jetpack (including custom content types) without connecting to WordPress.com. You’ll need to add one line to your wp-config.php file, and then you can run Jetpack in Development Mode which means it won’t “phone home.”
See: Jetpack Development mode
I was kind of resistant to install Jetpack until I discovered this option, but now I run it on most sites so I can use the Contact Form, Gallery Carousel, Portfolio, and other features.
And yes, WordPress.org should make it more clear that some themes’ features may depend on Jetpack!
Is there any way to enable Site Logo and Portfolios in self-hosted installations ?
@stephendevere,
Site Logo: Jetpack Site Logo
Portfolio: Pretty poor documentation for this on Jetpack’s site. Blask includes portfolio templates, but you’ll need to activate the Custom Content Types module as described here.
If you’re not using Blask, you’ll want to find another theme that includes portfolio templates (look for templates portfolio-page.php and single-jetpack-portfolio.php.) I know the following Automattic themes have portfolio templates:
- Argent
- Blask
- Espied
- Harmonic
- Illustratr
- Sketch
- Superhero
I keep an eye out for new themes over at WordPress.com, because the free ones usually get released here a little while later.
Thanks aradams.
Site Log functionality has anyway now appeared automatically after installing Jetpack and connecting it to wordpress.com.
No Custom Content Types module in Writing Settings though. I guess that’s wordpress.com discouraging users from leaving.
@stephendevere what theme are you using? Not all themes support custom content types.
Blask.
Like a lot of themes it changes itself depending on where you use it. Very irritating and time-wasting (hence this whole thread).
No Custom Content Types module in Writing Settings though
Did you activate the Custom Content Type module in Jetpack first, as described in the link I posted earlier?
Like a lot of themes it changes itself depending on where you use it.
How, specifically, is the theme “changing itself”?
Have you looked at the theme’s homepage (link on the Theme main page)? There are instructions for setting up portfolio posts & page.
If you post specific problems you are having with the theme, someone can probably help you. “Irritating and time-wasting” is not a problem, it’s a complaint.
Hmm. Sounds like we might talking at cross purposes to some extent.
By “changing itself” I meant that the theme I first found and then tried on my wordpress.com blog and liked, then behaved differently when I installed it on my own webhosting. It lost functions like Site Logo.
I didn’t know I had to get and use Jetpack to get back functions described in the Theme description.
I have now found how to turn on Custom Content Type module in Jetpack but I doubt I’ll use it’s all getting a bit too complex to set up for someone like me.
Thanks for your help though. I’ve learnt something.
Ahh, I get it!
Yes, there are some “gotchas” when moving from wordpress.com to self-hosted, as there are some features that are on WordPress “dot com” that aren’t available for self-hosted “dot org” sites. Jetpack is a way to bring “dot com” features to self-hosted blogs, but as you discovered it’s not entirely obvious how to go about getting things working.
This lack of good instructions has tripped up many! There really needs to be better support documentation for Jetpack.
The Portfolio feature is kinda cool but there is the learning curve… Sounds like you have gotten part of the way there, but I understand your frustration if you are ready to bail on it for now! Best of luck 😀
