[theme-reviewers] Reconsider requirement of dynamic_sidebar() and register_sidebar()

[Amy Hendrix]

I agree (and I'd support the change in core) -- we show the Header and
Background menu items conditionally so we don't have to show an ugly
"ha ha your theme can't do this!" page, and widgets should behave the
same way.

On Fri, Aug 31, 2012 at 5:25 PM, Justin Tadlock
<justin at justintadlock.com> wrote:
> Honestly, core should really remove this menu item if the the current theme
> doesn't support widgets.  I don't see any reason for it to be displayed and
> consider it a UI/UX fail.
>
> On 8/31/2012 4:07 PM, Otto wrote:
>>
>> Question because I haven't tried it lately: If there's no
>> register_sidebar in a theme, does Appearance->Widgets even show up?
>>
>> - If not, then I can see a case being made for it to be optional to
>> use it at all, but required if you make "sidebars" of any stripe.
>> - If Appearance->Widgets always appears regardless, then it should
>> just be required.
>>
>> Having a sidebar or not is a stylistic choice. Supporting the core
>> functionality displayed to the user isn't.
>>
>> -Otto
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Aug 31, 2012 at 3:54 PM, Chip Bennett <chip at chipbennett.net>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> My initial thought is that dynamic sidebar content - either as a
>>> traditional
>>> "sidebar", or in the footer - is *expected* end-user functionality for
>>> Themes, and as such should be required.
>>>
>>> At the very least, it makes sense to me that the functionality be
>>> included
>>> as *required* in the guidelines. Themes that have valid reasons for
>>> omitting
>>> this functionality can still request an exception.
>>>
>>> Chip
>>>
>>> On Fri, Aug 31, 2012 at 3:48 PM, Justin Tadlock
>>> <justin at justintadlock.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I've been thinking about the requirement for dynamic sidebars for a
>>>> while.
>>>> http://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Review#Theme_Features
>>>>
>>>> For the most themes, this makes sense.  If your theme has sidebars (most
>>>> do), use the functions in place to do so.
>>>>
>>>> Right now, I'm building a minimalistic blogging theme that focuses
>>>> solely
>>>> on the content.  But, I'm undecided if I want to add sidebars.  If
>>>> anything,
>>>> the theme would support a sidebar in the footer area.  It just depends
>>>> on
>>>> whether it fits into the design.
>>>>
>>>> I think this is one of those times where an exception would be okay.
>>>> But,
>>>> I'd like to just get everyone's thoughts on it beforehand.
>>>>
>>>> You can follow the development of the theme here (it's a long way from
>>>> being ready):
>>>> https://github.com/justintadlock/just-me
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>>>
>>>
>>>
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>
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