[theme-reviewers] Thesis WP Theme

Fri Jul 22 02:49:09 UTC 2011

Chip,

Thank you for your constructive feedback. I agree that it comes across as a
rant (which is more or less the de facto tone of the posts on that blog),
but at the same time, there is an underlying message that I believe is
aligned with the fundamental purpose of the WPTRT: to protect WordPress
users from bad themes by promoting good themes. Sure, the WPTRT has specific
tasks to carry out, but in my opinion, those are the means; the end is a
better experience for WordPress users.

I strongly believe that Thesis is harming consumers and the WordPress
community as a whole. Therefore, regarding whether or not a link to my post
was appropriate for this mailing list, I based my decision on its general
relevance--not its outward usefulness. Honestly, I expected this group to
immediately object to anything with my name on it. But those who take the
time to read it will probably gain a unique perspective that very few
"premium theme consumers" have the nerve or the knowledge to expose.

The post originally had a more-subtle pro-WP.org message--perhaps
overshadowed by the anti-Thesis shouting--so I've made a few changes, in an
attempt to even it out. I linked to the Theme Review guidelines, the Codex,
etc. Also, someone left a comment to the effect of:

*"Thesis isn't bad. All themes and plugins generate error notices. Don't
> blame Thesis for WordPress core's problems."*
>

Which led to the inevitable "Premium vs. WP.org" comparison. I think I
handled it well...although, admittedly, in a style this mailing list doesn't
seem to appreciate. ;)

On Thu, Jul 21, 2011 at 1:30 PM, Chip Bennett <chip at chipbennett.net> wrote:

> I would even go so far as to say that topics of discussion that are
> generally useful to Theme developers, especially in the context of Themes
> intended to be submitted for inclusion in the Theme repository, or general
> best-practices for publicly released Themes would be appropriate for this
> mail-list.
>
> But in this case, I would agree with Emil, Doug, Justin, and Cais.
>
> Now, if you'd taken the approach of, "this is an example crappy
> implementation of Feature X; however, here's an example of the proper way to
> implement Feature X", or, "hey, look at all of the noise this Theme
> generates with WP_DEBUG; but here's how to fix it", those would be far more
> useful.
>
> As it is, though, the linked post mostly reads like an anti-Thesis rant,
> which has dubious usefulness for the stated purpose of this mail-list.
>
> Chip
>
> On Thu, Jul 21, 2011 at 1:18 PM, Edward Caissie <edward.caissie at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> This mailing list is for the use of theme authors and reviewers for the
>> discussion of themes submitted to the WordPress Extend repository; and other
>> directly related items and instances.
>>
>> This list is not to be used as a traffic driver to items not related to
>> the above.
>>
>>
>> Cais.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jul 21, 2011 at 2:06 PM, Darren Slatten <darrenslatten at gmail.com>wrote:
>>
>>> If you're not interested, don't read it. Simple as that.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Jul 21, 2011 at 12:49 PM, Doug Stewart <zamoose at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>
>>>> Yes, but WPTRT doesn't review Thesis, nor is it hosted on the .Org.
>>>>
>>>> -1, Off-topic.
>>>>
>>>> On Thu, Jul 21, 2011 at 1:47 PM, Darren Slatten <
>>>> darrenslatten at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> > Emil,
>>>> > That wasn't shameless self-promotion. The post addresses real issues
>>>> with a
>>>> > well-known commercial theme, and I think at least a few people on this
>>>> list
>>>> > will find it very interesting.
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> > On Jul 21, 2011, at 6:03 AM, Emil Uzelac <emil at themeid.com> wrote:
>>>> >
>>>> > Darren, please do not abuse the list any longer!
>>>> >
>>>> > On Jul 21, 2011 5:07 AM, "Darren Slatten" <darrenslatten at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>> >
>>>> > If anyone is interested...
>>>> >
>>>> > I wrote a guest blog post about the Thesis "premium" WP Theme.
>>>> >
>>>> > How DIYThemes.com Uses Bullshit SEO to Sell Bullshit WordPress Themes
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> > --
>>>> > Darren Slatten
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> > _______________________________________________
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>>>> >
>>>> > _______________________________________________
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>>>> >
>>>> > _______________________________________________
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>>>> > http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> -Doug
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> theme-reviewers mailing list
>>>> theme-reviewers at lists.wordpress.org
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>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Darren Slatten
>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>
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>
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>

-- 
Darren Slatten
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