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

[Amy Hendrix]

http://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/21761

On Fri, Aug 31, 2012 at 5:39 PM, Justin Tadlock
<justin at justintadlock.com> wrote:
> I could be wrong, but I think it was originally added when widgets were just
> getting added into core to replace the old "edit your sidebar.php" type of
> thing that users were forced to do.  It was a way to tell theme authors to
> update their themes to use the new system.  But, we're long past that point
> now.
>
>
> On 8/31/2012 4:32 PM, Amy Hendrix wrote:
>>
>> 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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>>>>>> http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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