How to Install ABTheme
Current Version: 4.06 (May/08)
(Note: the ABTheme Guide is available from this link as a zipped PDF file, and you can view videos on using ABTheme with WordPress (installing, unlocking, configuring) here.
This page explains how to download and install the ABTheme Free and Paid versions. The difference is only in features:
- For the Free version not all features (such as Search Engine Optimization) are available, while others are limited somewhat.
- For the Full/Paid version, an Unlock key enables all features.
In addition, the Full version can be activated in two ways:
- As a member of ActiveBlogging Platinum and Gold levels, you have a free bonus of using the Plugin on your sites - the plugin remains unlocked in Full mode while you remain a member (you will need to log into the ActiveBlogging website to add this blog’s URL to your list of licenses).
- You can also purchase an unlock key for your specific blog - this unlocks the theme for that site, and does not require ActiveBlogging membership.
Installation
To install ABTheme on your site, you have two options:
- Self Install (Unzip and FTP yourself) - the manual solution, this is best for upgrades and if you already know that Ioncube is available on your website.
- Auto Install (Full upload/configure utility) - this is preferred for new installations, and where you do not know if Ioncube is active.
To do either, follow these instructions:
Self Install
- If you are upgrading a previous version of ABTheme, temporarily deactivate the /utopia0/ plugin and /abtheme/ theme (you may also wish to keep a backup copy of the older ABTheme and utopia0 plugin).
- Download the new theme/plugin package here.
- Unzip to your harddrive using a program like z-zip
- Using an FTP program (FileZilla is recommended) upload the following directories:
utopia0: Upload to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory, forming /wp-content/plugins/utopia0/
abtheme: Upload to the /wp-content/themes/ directory, forming /wp-content/themes/abtheme/
- Login to your WordPress Admin panel.
- Go to your plugins panel, and select the plugin ‘ActiveBlogging/ABTheme Plugin Manager’ and activate it.
- Click on the ABTheme tab and confirm you are activated. If not, follow the instructions on enabling Ioncube on your server, or use the Auto Install option below.
- Go to the presentation panel, and select the theme ‘ABTheme 4′ and active it.
- Visit your website to confirm all the settings are active, and then configure as you wish.
- If you plan to order the full version, simply use the ‘Unlock’ tab within the ABTheme plugin to get an unlock key for your site.
Auto Install
- WordPress must already be installed on your website.
- If you are upgrading a previous version of ABTheme, temporarily deactivate the /utopia0/ plugin and /abtheme/ theme (you may also wish to keep a backup copy of the older ABTheme and utopia0 plugin).
- Download the installer here (Windows Only) .
- Run the installer. Follow the directions, and enter your website and FTP information.
- Click on the browse button to log into your site and view your WordPress setup.
- Select the blog root directory (this is the directory that /wp-content/ is found within), and click on OK. Note you should not select /wp-content/, or you will install to the wrong location.
- When you continue, the program will ask if you want to overwrite the previous installation (even if you’ve never installed ABTheme before). This is a safety precaution - click on OK to continue. Note that only previous installs of ABTheme and the Utopia0 plugin are affected - no other files are erased or changed (including other plugins or themes).
- When finished, login to your WordPress Admin panel
- Go to your plugins panel, and select the plugin ‘ActiveBlogging/ABTheme Plugin Manager’ and activate it.
- Click on the ABTheme tab and confirm you are activated. If not, follow the instructions on enabling Ioncube on your server, or use the Auto Install option below.
- Go to the presentation panel, and select the theme ‘ABTheme 4′ and active it.
- Visit your website to confirm all the settings are active, and then configure as you wish.
- If you plan to order the full version, simply use the ‘Unlock’ tab within the ABTheme plugin to get an unlock key for your site.
About Ioncube Support
Ioncube support is required to use both the free and full versions of ABTheme. Most servers already include it, but some do not. The Auto Install above will try to install it, and explain what to do when there is a failure. Ultimately, we recommend a server that offers this free package already installed, such as Hostgator. If however you wish to use an ABTheme without Ioncube, we offer a Lite version (v3.04), that works without it but has fewer features. The older ABTheme plugin and SEO guide is available from this site.
