Upon the release of Thesis 1.7, I was disappointed in only a few things; however, there are three things I would love to see in the near future releases.

1. Advanced Feature Box Controls & Options*
2. Customizable & Integrated Navigation Menu*
3. Mobile Features
4. Multiple Custom Page Layouts & Options*

*Granted that Thesis does have some features that already address these in a very limited format, there is a lot of work that needs to be done with these.

First, in Thesis 1.6, it said, "Expect your display options to improve dramatically in a future release!" So I was expecting, and there was nothing. Nothing? Yes, nothing. However, they do have a consistent track record of producing some fantastic releases and upgrades, so hopefully there will be more in the Thesis Options pages in the future. However, there is a fairly decent text tutorial by godhammer in the Thesis Support Forums, which I will also be documenting what I did on one of my sites. However, both Dynamic Content Gallery and Featured Content Gallery (which I believe Dynamic Content Gallery is much simpler & easier for the non-techie) have tutorials on how to use them with Thesis's Featured Box (DCG tutorial, FCG tutorial).

Second, while Thesis has improved the way that they do their navigation menu, for someone who wants more user-friendly customizable control, it is still lacking. However, the NAVT plugin works exceptionally well. I love their drag and drop functionality; however, one is stuck with the order of pages, categories, and external links. However, there are some hacks that can enable a person to manipulate the order of their tabs. However, it is not user-friendly in that regard. Why not create this section where all of these are interchangeable and selectable and adaptable very similar to the NAVT plugin.

Third, I am surprised that Thesis has not yet produced something like the Carrington Framework where the theme can be converted to a mobile-friendly site (possibly through a plugin that is later enveloped into the core files), further increasing SEO for the Thesis theme (to me the only hanging fruit left for Thesis to execute). However, not just to take on what another theme does, but to take it and improve it is the key. So for Thesis to take this to the next level, it would be awesome to see a mobile-friendly theme with a mobile-friendly admin.

Fourth, one of the things I was trying to figure out for the longest time was how to create a variety of custom pages using Thesis. However, I didn't really want this feature in just the pages, I wanted it in posts. I wanted the ability to customize the sidebar based on the post and/or page. When I bought Genesis, I finally found part of what I wanted. One of the features from the Genesis theme is the ability to have both a universal and in-post layouts that differ (see a comparison between Thesis and Genesis). However, what would be better would be the ability to have different widgets (or array of widgets on the sidebar) that can be assigned to different layouts.

Once I discovered WordPress, I was super excited about its potential, especially over Blogger.com.  Then I learned about the coding behind WordPress.com. With a strong desire to customize and customize, I grew unhappy with WordPress.com, and eventually switched to WordPress.org. Then I learned how to hijack php code and manipulate stuff around. Then eventually I grew unhappy with some of the results of just dealing with php and having little luck with SEO. So then I learned of Thesis, and eventually I switched over to Thesis. Then bam! Hooks! I had no idea what to do and where to start. It was as though I was back at square one.

However, there were a few things that helped me learn fairly quickly the major benefits of hooks. First, a must read is Rae Hoffman's Hooks for Dummies. Then seeing it visually is so important! Here are two: ThesisHooks and from FrancisRaymond.com (but both refer to pre-Thesis 1.7).

Plugin #1: Thesis OpenHook

Once you understand this, you'll understand the need for the Thesis OpenHook Plugin (WordPress Plugin Directory, (and here is a video introduction to the Thesis OpenHook Plugin). Thesis OpenHook Plugin gives you option to add HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and even PHP code anywhere in thesis your theme without modifying the template files including the custom_functions.php file. Thesis works on hooks and you can call particular hooks very easily to make changes using this plugin, so having OpenHook with the visual guide is priceless. From what I can tell so far, Thesis OpenHook does not yet support Thesis 1.7 though I am sure it is only a matter of time.

Plugin #2: Thesis Import/Export

You don't realize the importance of backing up until something crashes or until you did something in the custom_functions.php file editor that renders the entire site inoperable or you upgraded a plugin or theme or WordPress itself that makes your site go haywire until it happens. And then all that work starts over! And in Thesis, it is not enough to have the custom folder backed up because of all those minor changes made to the various options. So having the Thesis Import/Export plugin (WordPress Plugin Directory) makes this extremely useful. However, in Thesis 1.7, this plugin is rendered useless as its features are upgraded aesthetically and with an additional option of doing all (Thesis Options, Design Options, and OpenHook Content) and built into the theme under Thesis Options Manager.

When I first started blogging, I began blogging on Blogspot.com. Shortly, thereafter, it became part of Google and was re-branded to blogger.com though it has never lost blogspot. However, I thought it was cumbersome, heavy and man it seemed like a pain to blog sometimes. However, it did have some cool features like being able to email blogs that would post (but never seemed to post correctly). So finally I found WordPress, not through word of mouth, but by simply comparing various blogging platforms that were available. Soon after seeing WordPress.com, I became obsessed to learn more. Finally, convinced I switched over to WordPress.com only to see that I was slightly fooled and confused by WordPress.com and WordPress.org. And, I am not the only one to see this as an issue or a point of confusion.

So what is the difference between the two (WordPress.com and WordPress.org) or is there a difference? When people talk about WordPress, what do they really mean?

When people speak of WordPress, they could mean either and only context can reveal which one. Personally, I believe most are referring to WordPress.ORG and the capabilities of the WordPress software. Rarely will you see the community speak about WordPress.COM as it seems to serve as a stepping stone. However, to combat this and to bring in more revenue, WordPress.COM has started some more robust VIP components for a price. According to WordPress.com, here is a brief comparison.

* The VIP program on WordPress.com for high-traffic and high-profile sites allows you to run custom themes, custom PHP code, ad code, and WordPress plugins.

So it comes down to these 3 things:

1. Technical Knowledge: With WordPress.ORG, there is a need for more technical knowledge, especially if you desire a lot of customization. However, you don't even need this if you have #2. And if you decide to go with WordPress.COM, there is little to no technical knowledge needed. All someone needs is the basic ability to search and click, drag and drop, and other blogging abilities.
2. Money: This includes hosting costs (What's hosting?), domain registration (I have to register my name too?), and sometimes setup/installation (though less often, unless you want to pay someone). Even though WordPress.org blogging platform is free, there are the other costs. And even though WordPress.com is free, it can cost money too (and I personally believe it is more expensive to go with WordPress.com VIP than do your own).
3. Customization: WordPress.COM allows for little to no customization, except for VIPs (again refer to #2).

And the basic decision is not on cost per se, but on simplicity or flexibility; working within certain pre-determined confines or creating something yourself with complete control borrowing from the massive community. A better table found at blogmum.com is as follows:

Depending on your long-term goals, the best place to start is probably to begin with a wordpress.com to see how you like blogging. And because the software is the same between WordPress.COM and WordPress.ORG, it makes for a very simple transition. However, when you make the transition from WordPress.com to your self-hosted WordPress site, it will set you back a little at the setout. However, I have seen people and have made these transitions myself very easily. One benefit is that you already have content at the start of the self-hosted and you just need to wait for Google or Yahoo! However, with social media, your community can make the transition extremely successful. So what do you think? Which would you choose?