Thanks a lot for these instructions. It made it so easy to setup a fresh new blog that way.
Keep up the good work…

I actually had to wait for 5 minutes and then refresh my ftp before I succeeded in changing permissions. But now it’s done and all seems fine.

But one question still remains, I know I’ve read several posts saying that “the correct” way to install Thesis is to unzip and then upload because if you don’t, there are stuff you cannot do with custom css and custom functions. But I really hope that since I have manually, after my “standard zipped install” changed the appropriate file permissions as you describe above, I will have no issues ?

Now I’m off surfing trying to decide which is the BEST way to change a background image (the background that shows outside my content area. I have been getting support from a really friendly guy over at the DIY forums, pbarron, but I thought this time I’ll try to google it first :D.

By “best” way I am considering whether or not to always use the “hook” feature or, as pbarron adviced me, to go for simple css whenever all I need to do is something simple (but no it’s not! not for me! ..yet…)

/Peter

Sometimes there are files missing when you copy the folder from your computer, and you won’t know it until you start using the theme. If WordPress didn’t recognize Thesis as a theme, then some essential files didn’t get copied.

Copying the Thesis zip file works just as well (though not covered in this article) and should cause you no trouble in the future.

1. You do have a server — your host, Fasthosts, reserved space on one of their servers for you when you subscribed with them. You don’t need to buy anything else.
2. You need to install WordPress in your domain account with Fasthosts, then install Thesis. The WordPress installation is explained in the Thesis Theme Tools article http://thesisthemetools.com/installing-wordpress-using-fantastico/
3. You do not need another program at all. WordPress and Thesis will write all the HTML for you. Later, if you want to customize your site, you might need to learn HTML. Both SAMS and the Visual Guide series have good books for learning the language.

There is a very good book that you should consider getting — I’ve used it myself. It’s called “WordPress for Dummies” by Lisa Sabin-Wilson. It is the most comprehensive, easy-to-understand resource I know of. It probably is available at your local bookstore, or can be found on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/WordPress-Dummies-Computer-Tech/dp/0470402962/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261880175&sr=8-1

Lots and lots of people completely new to websites have set up their domains with WordPress and a theme like Thesis. It’s really not hard to do if you understand each step. The “WordPress for Dummies” book will help a lot. So don’t despair! You can do it!

After reading your instructions for first time users, I think I shouldn’t have bought thesis. I have no experience with websites and I thought I would be able to do this. Before I ask for a refund, I will ask for help and maybe my questions will be an indicator if I overshot my abilities.

1} I don’t have a server, I have bought a place to host my website at Fasthosts. Is this ok or do I need to buy a server?

2) If I don’t need a server, what do I do now? I have downloaded Thesis and how do send (what?) to where or to Fasthosts ?

3) Do I need another program to write my website now, where do learn to write html?

4) Thanks for taking the time to laugh at me and with me in my situation.

Tim