[theme-reviewers] Options Framework Discussion

[Chip Bennett]

There are two issues, separate but related:

1) Plugin dependency
2) User experience

Certainly, a Theme must not be *dependent* on a Plugin, including the OF
Plugin. However, it is entirely possible to develop a Theme that functions
fully without the Plugin, and merely *extends* the Theme by exposing Theme
options if the Plugin is installed. (And if Theme options are handled
properly, including sane-default fallback values, that's entirely possible.)

However, even if a Theme properly handles options such that it functions
fully without the Plugin, including options via Plugin still presents a
less-than-ideal, or even a bad, user experience. Why should a user have to
take the extra time and effort to find, install, and activate a separate
Plugin, merely to be able to use an integral Theme feature such as Theme
options? I don't view Theme options as an extension of functionality.


On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 12:00 AM, Justin Tadlock
<justin at justintadlock.com>wrote:

> We'd have to look at things on a case-by-case basis.  We can't just
> generalize all libraries/frameworks/scripts.  But, in general, I'd argue
> for inclusion within the theme.  This is an approach that I've been using
> successfully since 2008, so I'm hardly unbiased.
>
> For the Options Framework in particular, I think it needs to be within the
> theme.  It seems like an integral component to the theme.  It's part of
> what makes a particular theme what it is.
>
> With that said, I see no issue with a plugin approach as long as the theme
> functioned correctly without the plugin.  As far as I'm concerned, it is an
> equally valid approach.  And, encouraging alternative approaches is
> something we should do a bit more of within the theme reviewer circle and
> the larger WP theme community.
>
>
> On 4/17/2013 9:46 PM, Devin Price wrote:
>
>> Hi. I wanted to bring a discussion that Chip and I were having in ticket
>> to the larger group for feedback.
>>
>> The question is whether libraries like the "Options Framework" should be
>> bundled directly with the theme or if it's better to use a plugin to enable
>> the functionality.
>>
>> I've always considered both approaches equally valid- though I recommend
>> using the plugin version if no modifications are being made to the
>> framework.  Arguments for both are represented in the ticket:
>> http://themes.trac.wordpress.**org/ticket/12027<http://themes.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/12027>
>>
>> Curious to know what other people think.
>>
>> Thanks much,
>> Devin.
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