A few years ago the Thinklings adopted a new blog theme (Thinklings Reloaded), designed primarily by the most excellent Stroke. I like our theme, but, as a techno-nerd, I'm increasingly embarrassed by the very 2001 palm-pilot feel of the header image. Plus it might be nice to have a change.

So (even though I haven't exactly cleared this with the other guys) I'm instituting the 2010 Thinklings Theme Contest, for those of you who have mad skills at making things look good.

Here are the rules:

1. Here's what I consider a "theme" - A graphical header, color selections for the sidebar, main post area, text, links, comment area, blockquotes, etc . . ., and any other bonus graphical niceties and font selections you can provide. Regarding the color schemes, I need either cut and pasted jpeg/gif/png examples, or the hexadecimal codes. In other words, don't just say "make the sidebar blue".

2. Send the above to my email, which is nerd AT nerdvana DOT com, except replace the "nerd" with "bill", and replace "nerdvana" with "outofthebloo". If you want to mock up the theme somewhere and pass me a link to it, that would be great too.

3. No existing themes allowed. In other words, don't just grab a Wordpress or Blogspot theme and slap "Thinklings" on it. We want originals.

The contest will remain open for one week.

Now, here's what will happen: I will peruse the submissions and share them with the other Thinklings. Together we will select a new theme, and will begin using it on our blog.

Here's what you'll get if you win: Our gratitude, a post announcing the new theme and an official Thinklings declaration that you "go hard", your name in the theme credits at the bottom of the page, and a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate.

Stroke: I expect at least one submission from you, if you have the time. I am not looking to replace the theme because we don't like it, but just because the header is a little out-dated and the color scheme could probably use a refresh.