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

[Edward Caissie]

A single column main body theme layout would likely have many uses ... I
think it would be fine to not have a left or right column sidebar provided
you are going forward with the footer "sidebar" capable of handling widgets
... which would also preclude you from removing the Appearance | Widgets
menu item as it would them remove core functionality from the end-users
options. Although having no widget areas whatsoever is not strictly against
the guidelines (at least not that I recall any interpretations to that
effect) I wouldn't recommend it, but I definitely would skew the design
towards it in this case.

A clear "Theme Description" stating there are "no sidebars aka left or
right column(s)" or something similar would be strongly recommended ... but
even that would not be a requirement, just a nice-to-do for your potential
end-users.


Cais.


On Fri, Aug 31, 2012 at 5:32 PM, Amy Hendrix <sabreuse at gmail.com> 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
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> theme-reviewers mailing list
> >>>> theme-reviewers at lists.wordpress.org
> >>>> http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
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> >>>
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> >
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