Originally, Child Themes were intended to be *update-proof*, not "more update-proof", than (stand-alone) Themes. They were intended as a way for the *end user* to add Theme modifications that would be retained when the Parent Theme was updated.<div>
<br></div><div>The point of the Repository (at least, now that it is tied into wp-admin via automatic updates) is to push Theme updates to end users.</div><div><br></div><div>Thus, the two purposes - to provide a means of update-proof Theme modifications and to push Theme updates - conflict, if the code in question is the same (i.e. a Child Theme).</div>
<div><br></div><div>If end users will be asked to change the Name: tag of the Child Theme, in order to prevent it from being over-written, then what is the point of hosting that Child Theme in the Repository in the first place?</div>
<div><br></div><div>(Now, on the other hand, I can see great advantage in encouraging Child - rather than derivative - Themes for TwentyTen, TwentyEleven, or whatever current default Theme.)</div><div><br></div><div>Chip<br>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Jan 19, 2011 at 8:54 PM, Philip M. Hofer (Frumph) <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:philip@frumph.net">philip@frumph.net</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
<div bgcolor="#ffffff">
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Child themes are more update proof then the
standard theme, not sure where you are getting and really would like an
elaboration on the 'intented benefit of child themes'. Which i'm going to
assume you're thinking of the fact that it's good to have a child theme that is
not going to lose it's look when the main parent theme is updated.
In that case I am going to note that a child theme can still be customized to
denote a non-update path by changing the name in the style.css; just like
a theme. If you're going to snag a child theme or theme and make
customizations it would be a benefit to customize the name to remove it from
upgrade notification.</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div> </div>
<blockquote style="border-left:#000000 2px solid;padding-left:5px;padding-right:0px;margin-left:5px;margin-right:0px"><div class="im">
<div style="font:10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </div>
<div style="font:10pt arial;background:#e4e4e4"><b>From:</b>
<a title="chip@chipbennett.net" href="mailto:chip@chipbennett.net" target="_blank">Chip
Bennett</a> </div>
</div><div class="im"><div style="font:10pt arial"><b>To:</b> <a title="theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org" href="mailto:theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org" target="_blank">theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org</a>
</div>
</div><div><div></div><div class="h5"><div style="font:10pt arial"><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, January 19, 2011 6:42
PM</div>
<div style="font:10pt arial"><b>Subject:</b> Re: [theme-reviewers] WPTRT =
TSA?</div>
<div><br></div>I would like to do something about the horribly out-of-date and
obsolete Themes in the repository, but maybe now isn't the right time - other
than trying the positive-reinforcement route (a Theme adoption program). Maybe
once we've had a year or so of Themes passing the Theme Review process, we'll
have enough of a selection to justify arguing to begin suspending the most
egregiously obsolete Themes.
<div><br></div>
<div>I go back and forth on Child Themes, but at the moment, I'm leaning
*against* having Child Themes in the Repository. I really believe strongly
that Child Themes should be left completely to the *End Users*, as their means
of implementing update-proof Theme modifications. If we start encouraging the
distribution (and, therefore, *update*) of Child Themes, we encourage
depriving the End User of the the primary, intended benefit of Child
Themes.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>The Frameworks discussion has progressed well, and as you said: now is
probably a good time to move that discussion to a wider audience, via a post
on the Make site. I think we can make some good strides with Frameworks.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>I agree regarding SVN-commit access for *trusted* developers - especially
initially (or as a trial run). The potential for abuse is huge - and
SVN-commit access for Themes could be pitched as a form of
award/recognition/achievement for great contributions to the Theme
Repository.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>(Did I forget to mention Theme Documentation? Darn it; I meant to talk
about it.)</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Chip<br><br>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Jan 19, 2011 at 8:19 PM, Philip M. Hofer
(Frumph) <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:philip@frumph.net" target="_blank">philip@frumph.net</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote style="border-left:#ccc 1px solid;margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;padding-left:1ex" class="gmail_quote">
<div bgcolor="#ffffff">
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">We'll get there with the plans we have setup
ya?, just gotta have da patience.</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Donncha's reference reminds me of my tagline
"I'm in your site touching your stuff." kinda brings a new meaning to
it ;/ where's the girl wearing the bikini to try to circumvent the
system, i'd totally let that happen.</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">The completeness of Justin's "Great strides in
cleaning up the repository" statement leaves me to think we really haven't
gotten anywhere close to cleaning up the "old" things in the
repository. There is much more we can do to deal with that,
given any abilities that Otto might let us have. Think the whole
'up to a certain version' those old themes needs to be inacted upon with the
'adopt' program. (need to continue discussion on it on a <a href="http://make.wordpress.org/themes" target="_blank">make.wordpress.org/themes</a> post) </font><font size="2" face="Arial">The issue being that this makes work for Otto to move the
ownership of the theme to someone else, if there can be some work done on
that to make his life easier that'd be great, or even some automation for
pross/cais/chip to handle it.</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Next is getting the 'flags' set and working for
child themes. This could be done with a bit of code
for the repository to associate one theme with another theme as it's parent,
since this is bbpress couldn't child theme's be just children post of the
parent? Dunno. But we still need to look into how to make
it work without dropping the ball completely and letting it slide like it
has been.</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Frameworks - frameworks being 'the code behind
the templetes' we've already been having that as part of the
discussion we just need to finalize it and so far noone really had any
doubts to themes created with framework backends to be put on the repository
it's just the definetions that need to be finished so that there's a clear
cut view of reviewing them.</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Chip's SVN itemized in his list brings me to
thinking that there are some serious quality theme designers that would
warrant this ability to have SVN access; .. but not everyone. If it's
possible to enable svn access to 'known developers of good intent' I'm all
for that.</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">One of the things that 2011 is missing in all
of those responses is the advent of deeper and more quality documentation
from developers utilizing current and new methods instead of some of the
../shudder/ code that is currently out there.</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">I'm also believing that Premium Themes will
offer more then just their themes, but direct monthly support contracts for
maintenance; installation and customizations - more so then just the theme
sale.</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<blockquote style="border-left:#000000 2px solid;padding-left:5px;padding-right:0px;margin-left:5px;margin-right:0px">
<div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div style="font:10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </div>
<div style="font:10pt arial;background:#e4e4e4"><b>From:</b> <a title="edward.caissie@gmail.com" href="mailto:edward.caissie@gmail.com" target="_blank">Edward Caissie</a> </div>
<div style="font:10pt arial"><b>To:</b> <a title="theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org" href="mailto:theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org" target="_blank">theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org</a> </div>
<div style="font:10pt arial"><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, January 19, 2011
5:56 PM</div>
<div style="font:10pt arial"><b>Subject:</b> Re: [theme-reviewers] WPTRT
= TSA?</div>
<div><br></div>You are correct ... now that you mention it I remember from
reading earlier today.<br><br>Still good to be noticed all the same
(*grin*) ... we need something to help generate more interest. Now if we
could only get the "Make" site on the proverbial (social media)
map.<br><br>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Jan 19, 2011 at 8:52 PM, Chip Bennett <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:chip@chipbennett.net" target="_blank">chip@chipbennett.net</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote style="border-left:rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid;margin:0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex;padding-left:1ex" class="gmail_quote">Actually, that was Donnacha's description...
<div>
<div></div>
<div><br><br>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Jan 19, 2011 at 7:48 PM, Edward Caissie
<span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:edward.caissie@gmail.com" target="_blank">edward.caissie@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote style="border-left:rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid;margin:0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex;padding-left:1ex" class="gmail_quote">I guess I can't complain ... at least Ryan took the
time to think of and write that description.<br><br>... any notice is
better than not being noticed at all.<br><br>
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div>On Wed, Jan 19, 2011 at 8:20 PM, Chip Bennett <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:chip@chipbennett.net" target="_blank">chip@chipbennett.net</a>></span> wrote:<br></div>
<blockquote style="border-left:rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid;margin:0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex;padding-left:1ex" class="gmail_quote">
<div>
<div></div>
<div>Quite the metaphorical description!
<div><br></div>
<blockquote style="border-bottom:medium none;border-left:medium none;padding-bottom:0px;margin:0pt 0pt 0pt 40px;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;border-top:medium none;border-right:medium none;padding-top:0px">
<div><span style="line-height:22px;font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,Helvetica,'Nimbus Sans L',sans-serif;color:rgb(68,68,68);font-size:14px">The
gates to the official WordPress.org theme repository are now
guarded by a hardcore volunteer militia, the Theme Review Team,
with all the no-nonsense attitude of a cranky TSA junk-fondler
whose hasn’t yet had his afternoon box of
donuts.</span></div></blockquote>
<div>
<div><br></div>
<div>I<a href="http://wpcandy.com/presents/the-future-of-wordpress-themes-in-2011" target="_blank">nteresting read from WPCandy today</a>.</div></div>
<div><br></div>
<div>(Although my attitude is generally more driven in indirect
proportion to my daily coffee intake...)</div>
<div><br></div><font color="#888888">
<div>Chip</div></font><br></div></div>
<div>_______________________________________________<br>theme-reviewers
mailing list<br><a href="mailto:theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org" target="_blank">theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org</a><br><a href="http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers" target="_blank">http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers</a><br>
<br></div></blockquote></div><br><br>_______________________________________________<br>theme-reviewers
mailing list<br><a href="mailto:theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org" target="_blank">theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org</a><br><a href="http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers" target="_blank">http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers</a><br>
<br></blockquote></div><br></div></div><br>_______________________________________________<br>theme-reviewers
mailing list<br><a href="mailto:theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org" target="_blank">theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org</a><br><a href="http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers" target="_blank">http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers</a><br>
<br></blockquote></div><br></div></div>
<p></p>
<hr>
<div>
<p></p>_______________________________________________<br>theme-reviewers
mailing list<br><a href="mailto:theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org" target="_blank">theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org</a><br><a href="http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers" target="_blank">http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers</a><br>
</div>
<p></p></blockquote></div><br>_______________________________________________<br>theme-reviewers
mailing list<br><a href="mailto:theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org" target="_blank">theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org</a><br><a href="http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers" target="_blank">http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers</a><br>
<br></blockquote></div><br></div>
</div></div><p>
</p><hr><div class="im">
<p></p>_______________________________________________<br>theme-reviewers
mailing
list<br><a href="mailto:theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org" target="_blank">theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org</a><br><a href="http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers" target="_blank">http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers</a><br>
</div><p></p></blockquote></div>
<br>_______________________________________________<br>
theme-reviewers mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org">theme-reviewers@lists.wordpress.org</a><br>
<a href="http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers" target="_blank">http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers</a><br>
<br></blockquote></div><br></div>