[theme-reviewers] Theming for the Masses

[Michael Fields]

Hello,

I'm writing because I will be presenting the second installment of my "Theming for the Masses" talk at WordCamp LA this year. I presented the first installment at WordCamp Seattle earlier this year. It basically focuses on my experiences creating a WordPress theme intended to be released in the official directory. My goal with that talk is mainly to educate theme developers on the tools available to them as well as some of the easy to overlook aspects of theming. There are also tips and tricks.

Video
http://wordpress.mfields.org/2011/theming-for-the-masses/

Slides
http://www.slideshare.net/MichaelFields/theming-for-the-masses

For the second talk I would like to have a section called something like "Tip from the Trenches" and that's where you come in. I would like to compile a list of tips that come directly from the theme review team. These could really be anything, but am looking for things like:

1. What are the most common deviations (from requirements) that you see in themes?

2. Do you have any interesting tricks to save time implementing the requirements?

3. Anything really of interest that pertains to making a theme that will be passed.


So if, your interested in lending your experience to my presentation, that would be wonderful! I can give you credit + link in both in the slides as well as on my site for the writeup. Also, if you have any criticisms about the first presentation, I would love to hear them.

Thanks for your time!
-Mike