[theme-reviewers] Goals and Process

[Joseph Scott]

I tend to agree with what Chip outlined here.  I don't want to create
such specific requirements that we end up with themes that all look
the same.  Part of having a theme is allowing a theme author put
together package of what his or her vision is.  There are obviously
minimum items expectations around features, being user friendly, and
security.

Themes need to be reviewed both in the context of WordPress and the
theme itself.


On Fri, Jun 11, 2010 at 10:04 AM,  <chip at chipbennett.net> wrote:
> My concern with the pass/fail (or even, subjective rating) system for
> non-critical criteria is that we will be dictating things that don't need
> to be dictated.
>
> For example: widgetization. For a modern WordPress theme, I would agree
> that the theme needs to be widget-ready. (I wouldn't have argued the same
> thing a year or two ago, though.) But, the degree of widgetization depends
> on the theme itself. Perhaps it only makes sense to have a single,
> widgetized sidebar. Perhaps it make sense for the theme to be widgetized
> to within inches of its life.
>
> How do we rate those two themes one against the other? We don't really -
> nor do we really need to.
>
> But, ensuring that the layout and PHP are correct for whatever extent to
> which the theme is widgetized? That's critical. Ensuring that widget areas
> have meaningful descriptions, so that users know what goes where as they
> are populating them with widgets? That's pretty useful, too.
>
> For another example: options.
>
> Some themes are intended to be simple and elegant, with no need for an
> options page. (The one I will eventually release is intended to be a
> teaching tool, to help others learn how to use template tags and so on -
> with no options page.) Other themes are intended to be more complex, and
> need to make use of options pages. Again, these types of themes need to be
> treated differently by reviewers.
>
> That's why, while the TDC is a good starting point, it really needs to be
> revised/massaged to meet our specific needs as theme reviewers. I'm liking
> the discussion thus far to that end.



-- 
Joseph Scott
joseph at josephscott.org
http://josephscott.org/