[wp-meta] [Making WordPress.org] #5094: New .org subdomain to allow for iteration and testing of a remedial program for theme authors

[Making WordPress.org]

#5094: New .org subdomain to allow for iteration and testing of a remedial program
for theme authors
--------------------------+--------------------
 Reporter:  carike        |      Owner:  (none)
     Type:  enhancement   |     Status:  new
 Priority:  normal        |  Milestone:
Component:  Theme Review  |   Keywords:
--------------------------+--------------------
 **The Problem:**

 - The theme queue is currently over 4 months long;
 - There are only a small number of people reviewing themes;
 - A number of theme reviewers seem to be experiencing burn-out, primarily
 because the same types of issues seem to re-occur and because there is
 often an extensive debate between the theme author and the reviewer about
 the interpretation of the Guidelines / whether items are required or
 recommended.
 - 18% of themes over the period analyzed were closed due to licensing
 issues.
 Although this is not the only reason for theme closures, it is likely one
 of the easiest wins possible.

 **The Constraints:**

 - There are a small number of theme reviewers and the theme team
 representatives are unlikely to be sponsored and have limited time
 available.

 **The Proposed Solution:**

 - We would like to run a remedial program for theme authors.
 - In order not to create unnecessary barriers to entry for theme authors,
 we do NOT propose that all theme authors be required to complete the
 modules before being able to submit a theme to Trac.
 - Instead, we propose that a theme's reviewer, or a theme team
 representative, be able to enroll a theme author into a module once an
 issue is identified in a theme they have submitted to the WordPress theme
 directory.
 - Until such time as the module has been successfully completed, the theme
 author will not be able to upload a new theme / new version of a theme.

 - The modules are intended to be highly practical.
 - We plan to use mini case studies.
 - Questions will be in the form of multiple choice questions, so that they
 can be fully automated.
 - Questions will use checkboxes, as multiple answers could be correct.
 - The remedial modules are intended to focus on the requirements /
 recommendations of the TRT, not on general principles which are open to
 wider interpretation.

 **What Is Needed:**

 - We need a new subdomain in order to iterate and test the remedial
 program.
 - .org users should to be able to log in to the subdomain using their
 WordPress.org credentials.
 - The subdomain will save a user_meta value (0 / 1) for each user, with 0
 / FALSE indicating that a user is not currently enrolled in a remedial
 module and 1 / TRUE meaning that the user is currently enrolled in a
 remedial module (and have not completed it yet) and should not be able to
 upload a new theme / new version of a theme.
 - The Theme Trac / Theme Admin Area should be able to query the subdomain
 for this value and the function which allows authors to upload should be
 wrapped in a check of this value.

 This proposal was discussed during a TRT meeting on Slack on 10 March
 2020.
 4 Team Reps were present.
 There were no objections raised to creating a Proof of Concept / meta
 ticket.
 The idea received explicit support from some Reps and reviewers.
 https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C02RP4Y3K/p1583862525288800

-- 
Ticket URL: <https://meta.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/5094>
Making WordPress.org <https://meta.trac.wordpress.org/>
Making WordPress.org