every theme sucks and nobody cares - #wcgr

Howdy, I’mRyan Imel

Saturday, August 18, 12

I make things atWPCandy


I record and streamPODCASTS


I operatePROS

the reverse job board


I managePressed Ads


I publish the WordPressMAGAZINE


EVERYTHEMESUCKSANDNOBODYCARES


In 1.5 we have created an incredibly flexible theme system that adapts to you rather than expecting you to adapt to it.Matt Mullenweg, WordPress 1.5 announcementPhoto of Billy Strayhorn, via jazztimes.com


Themes Should NotBreak. Duh.


I’m sure the code of the themes in the directory is top notch... But I wouldn’t know, because you couldn’t make me click download on 90% of those theme pages. I won’t do it.

The designs... are just awful.Ryan Imel, the guy you’re staring at


WordPress.org has theWPTRT


WordPress.org has theW


WordPress.org has theWP


WordPress.org has theWPT


WordPress.org has theWPTR


WordPress.org has theWPTRT


Debug Barhttp://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/debug-bar/

Theme-Checkhttp://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/theme-check/

Log Deprecated Noticeshttp://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/log-deprecated-notices/

Deboggerhttp://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/debogger/


http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/debug-bar/






http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/debogger/

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/debogger/

The WeeklyTheme Show


ShortcodesSaturday, August 18, 12

Shortcodes let you write and place elements without code.

[button=”Read more!”]

They can output just about anything to your page.

[tweet-this]Saturday, August 18, 12


[button=”Read more!”]


[tweet-this]


A user’s content is sacred. It’s hallowed ground...

Andrew Nacin, WordPress Lead DeveloperPhoto by John O’Nolan


Themes Should NotBreak My Expectations


Themes Should NotWaste My Time


The theme options are really admirable... obviously with Google Analytics and SEO integrated. This must be like the best of the best...

Konstantin Kovshenin, Automattic


That was all sarcasm.Seriously, I think this is horrible,

and there’s not much you can do to make it worse...

Konstantin Kovshenin, Automattic


http://thethemefoundry.com/blog/from-the-workshop-dont-steal-my-theme-options/






Themes ShouldLet Me Make Children


HTMLCSS

JavascriptPHP Templates

Theme options panel


HTMLCSS


Theme options panel

CSSTwo or three PHP files

Child themes


HTMLCSS


Theme options panel




CSS

Grandchildren themes


CSS CSS1 PHP template

Great grandchildren themes


ryanimel: I have a confession to make. I want to bribe a member of the theme team.


I’d like to see themes take the form of building blocks which form websites together... More dynamic ways to customize a website over a prefab template you can style.Coen Jacobs, WooThemes


“8 sliders”


“Short code generator”


A user’s content is sacred. It’s hallowed ground...

Andrew Nacin, WordPress Lead Developerphoto credit John O’Nolan


“700+ fonts”


“Contact form builder”


“Unlimited sidebar”


“Sliders anywhere you want them!”


I would like to see us get back to brass tacks. There is too much overlap between themes and plugins, and I think for the sake of the overall community of WordPress users, clear delineation between one and the other is important.Dre Armeda, Sucuri Security


20,264Saturday, August 18, 12

WordPress.org Plugins

20,264Saturday, August 18, 12

THEME DEVshould be hard work


The paradigm is now shifting into themes that just

look amazing out of the box.

Mike McAlister, Okay Themesvia Smashing Magazine


I want to see a theme that works great out of the box, but really sings when integrated with certain plugins.Brian Krogsgard, Infomedia


Okay, butwhat can we do?


Create your ownFUNCTIONALITY

PLUGINS


wpcandy.com/teaches/how-to-create-a-functionality-plugin


THINKFIVEYEARSAHEAD


?speakerdeck.com/u/ryanimel


GOODTHEMES


every theme sucks and nobody cares - #wcgr

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