Excursions

I have released a new version 1.0.2 of the Paper theme today, which addresses the reported issues and suggestions since the first release yesterday. Here are the changes, in brief.

• Added support to include replies on individual posts
• Added the configuration of social icons as plug-in setting
• Updated the styling to display categories along with posts
• Updated documentation to include installation steps
• Fixed styling of images on smaller screens

You can go to the Plug-ins section in Micro.blog and click “Upgrade” once the option is available. You will have to reconfigure (for the last time, hopefully) the social IDs in the settings of the plug-in. No need to modify the config.json, anymore. This also means the configurations will not be lost during the future upgrades.

I am thrilled with all the feedback that I have received. Paper is a beautifully designed theme, something I can take no credit for. At the same time, I am glad I could make it simpler for others to adopt it.

The skies from the morning walk. I love how the shot came out, though, I can’t put finger to exact what makes me do. I feel it’s the colors and the look of the structure rising into the sky. Day 17 of #30day 🖼️

After playing around briefly to understand how to bring a theme made for Hugo to Micro.blog, I have finally ported one that I love. Today, I am ready to share it with the Micro.blog community. The theme is called Paper and goes with a tagline “simple, clean, flexible”. You can check for yourself in the screenshot below, or see it live at my test blog.

I am a big fan of clean themes that are minimal, yet impressive. Paper is one such theme — I had used it earlier when I was hosting this blog with Hugo. Although it looks minimal, it isn’t so in the way it works. It has a simple, yet signature header, a built-in dark mode support with a beautiful toggle and a clean black & white look.

I have added the first version of this theme to the plug-ins directory so that you can install it directly as a plugin. It works with both Hugo versions that Micro.blog supports (0.54 and 0.91) [Update]: An issue was reported while using the theme with Hugo version 0.54. So, until further update, the theme supports only version 0.91 of Hugo. However, here are a few points to remember before you install the theme.

Uninstall any theme that you have installed as a plugin. Set you current theme to blank and Hugo Version to 0.91 in the design section of your blog. Make sure there are no other conflicting custom CSS configured for the previous theme. Then install the Paper theme from the plugin directory. Once the theme is successfully installed, you can configure the social icons displayed in the header by modifying the available options in config.json.

There’s already a brilliant selection of themes available for Micro.blog and I am excited to see the support grow further with every passing day. I hope you like this and a few folks benefit from it. If you do, I would love to hear from you.

On the morning walk today. With the sun burning through the clouds, with the wind mills cheering, being the perfect spectators. Day 16 of #30day 🖼️

A half way into the challenge today. When I began, I had no idea I would be doing and enjoying this for so long. Anyway, another shot from the evening walk. Day 15 of #30day 🖼️

I wanted to attempt porting a Hugo theme to Micro.blog – check what it takes. Of course, the best way was to try it with a minimal theme. That’s what I did. Too basic and light weight, sure. But I know now how it’s done! If interested, you can try it on my test blog.

I Cannot Begin to Tell You How Proficient I Am in Microsoft Word →

Many are the candidates who come touting their areas of expertise—beginner Spanish, ability to work well under pressure—but none compare to the fluency with which I insert links and align text, add comments and reply to the comments left by others.

The web doesn’t have version numbers →

I just wanted to make the point that it’s unfair to claim a version number for the web for a specific set of innovations you happen to like. There are many ways the web evolves. Sometimes they involve the kinds of technology that ‘web3’ adepts use, but usually they don’t.

I verified today that the Post Stats Micro.blog plugin works with the upgraded Hugo version (0.91). So, that’s one less issue I need to handle as part of the next upgrade. However, if you are using the plug-in (I am glad) and see an issue, please let me know.

Back to work on what I had originally planned.

On the everning walk today. I find the game fascinating that the swaying trees play with the dimming natural light and the brightening articial one. Day 14 of #30day 🖼️