Comments on: The Next WordPress Default Theme http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/ Experiments in Theme Design Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:41:24 +0000 By: Ian Stewart http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-885 Ian Stewart Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:00:12 +0000 http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-885 Comments are closed on this post. Winners will be announced in a post Wednesday, March 26, here on ThemeShaper. Thanks to everyone who entered. I'll have something for you on the follow-up post. Comments are closed on this post. Winners will be announced in a post Wednesday, March 26, here on ThemeShaper.

Thanks to everyone who entered. I’ll have something for you on the follow-up post.

]]> By: Jim | BloggingStartup http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-879 Jim | BloggingStartup Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:05:25 +0000 http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-879 I like your suggestion to start with the Sandbox theme and simply create the default theme with CSS code. I would suggest something simple with a small splash of color (probably blue). For example, the theme found at http://www.sndbx.org/results/designs/essay/ would be good if it had a little color added. But it's not bad as is. I like your suggestion to start with the Sandbox theme and simply create the default theme with CSS code. I would suggest something simple with a small splash of color (probably blue). For example, the theme found at http://www.sndbx.org/results/designs/essay/ would be good if it had a little color added. But it’s not bad as is.

]]> By: that girl again http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-878 that girl again Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:45:06 +0000 http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-878 Turn <em>everything</em> into a widget, so you can construct the layout of your page using drag-and-drop. Posts on top, sidebar on bottom, title in footer? Done. No posts, just a list of Pages? Done. Colour-pickers for the CSS-clueless. Options for fixed-width or fluid. Custom image header upload. It would be horribly bloated but impress the newbies and the techbloggers. To appease old-schoolers, introduce Sandbox as the replacement for Classic and toss a couple of stylesheets on top of it. Sandbox should also be the fallback theme for third-party themes which lack the full complement of templates. But honestly? Stick with Kubrick. One, its ubiquity encourages people to seek out or design better themes, and two, it makes it ever so much easier to identify sploggers ;) Turn everything into a widget, so you can construct the layout of your page using drag-and-drop. Posts on top, sidebar on bottom, title in footer? Done. No posts, just a list of Pages? Done. Colour-pickers for the CSS-clueless. Options for fixed-width or fluid. Custom image header upload.

It would be horribly bloated but impress the newbies and the techbloggers. To appease old-schoolers, introduce Sandbox as the replacement for Classic and toss a couple of stylesheets on top of it. Sandbox should also be the fallback theme for third-party themes which lack the full complement of templates.

But honestly? Stick with Kubrick. One, its ubiquity encourages people to seek out or design better themes, and two, it makes it ever so much easier to identify sploggers ;)

]]> By: Rebecca http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-876 Rebecca Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:51:52 +0000 http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-876 I posted my answer to this question on my blog: http://www.iseemylife.com/lifes-moments/what-should-the-next-wordpress-default-theme-be/ This is an interesting question to consider and I enjoy reading all the responses and look forward to seeing what WordPress does choose as their default theme! I posted my answer to this question on my blog:
http://www.iseemylife.com/lifes-moments/what-should-the-next-wordpress-default-theme-be/

This is an interesting question to consider and I enjoy reading all the responses and look forward to seeing what WordPress does choose as their default theme!

]]> By: Michael Clark http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-866 Michael Clark Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:01:42 +0000 http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-866 I think there should be a very ugly default theme, but only if several other good looking themes are included with the default download from wordpress.org. Then new users would see quickly how easy it is to customize your site under the Design menu. I think there should be a very ugly default theme, but only if several other good looking themes are included with the default download from wordpress.org. Then new users would see quickly how easy it is to customize your site under the Design menu.

]]> By: Michael Soriano http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-865 Michael Soriano Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:38:49 +0000 http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-865 Consider myself for the contest. My suggestion is: For a default theme - I say leave it as blank / simple and as much of a "skeleton" as possible. No images whatsoever. The most there should be are some post font and size formatting, positioning as well as colors. This way - we let the community dress their blogs up with all the beautiful themes out there. Also - it's a default theme - which NOBODY uses anyway. I think it just makes sense to leave it bare bones as possible. *hint - if for some reason the new default theme changes to something "real pretty" - think of all the blogs that will keep this theme. Now that would be ugly. Consider myself for the contest. My suggestion is:

For a default theme - I say leave it as blank / simple and as much of a “skeleton” as possible. No images whatsoever. The most there should be are some post font and size formatting, positioning as well as colors.
This way - we let the community dress their blogs up with all the beautiful themes out there.
Also - it’s a default theme - which NOBODY uses anyway. I think it just makes sense to leave it bare bones as possible.
*hint - if for some reason the new default theme changes to something “real pretty” - think of all the blogs that will keep this theme. Now that would be ugly.

]]> By: Jonathan http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-864 Jonathan Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:01:50 +0000 http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-864 In my view, the next default WordPress theme should be one that is customizable and--aesthetically--minimalistic. I would prefer a simple page with rounded corners and the ability--through an options page (and/or stylesheet schemes)--to change the header image, default colors (links etc.), number of columns, and whether or not to have a sidebar (or sidebars). I would also prefer a theme that would allow for the incorporation of a navigation bar (with subpages), which brings me to the most important requirement of the next default WordPress theme: it needs to be able to work (and by this I mean look the part) as both a blog theme and a CMS theme. Too many themes are one or the other. The ability to change and customize through options and schemes makes allowance for this. Currently, I run the Mandigo theme on 3 different sites, with various plugins enabled. I would like to vary the themes I use but find it to be the most customizable. It allows for all that I have discussed above (and more). For visual reference, the sites are listed below. http://breakingoutthewindows.com http://centerpointgainesville.com http://highschoolbattle.com In my view, the next default WordPress theme should be one that is customizable and — aesthetically — minimalistic. I would prefer a simple page with rounded corners and the ability — through an options page (and/or stylesheet schemes) — to change the header image, default colors (links etc.), number of columns, and whether or not to have a sidebar (or sidebars). I would also prefer a theme that would allow for the incorporation of a navigation bar (with subpages), which brings me to the most important requirement of the next default WordPress theme: it needs to be able to work (and by this I mean look the part) as both a blog theme and a CMS theme. Too many themes are one or the other. The ability to change and customize through options and schemes makes allowance for this.

Currently, I run the Mandigo theme on 3 different sites, with various plugins enabled. I would like to vary the themes I use but find it to be the most customizable. It allows for all that I have discussed above (and more). For visual reference, the sites are listed below.

http://breakingoutthewindows.com
http://centerpointgainesville.com http://highschoolbattle.com

]]> By: hamdanm http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-858 hamdanm Mon, 24 Mar 2008 05:41:36 +0000 http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-858 the default theme for the next wordpress will be as simple as possible, no gradient, two or three colums (customized), but supporting tabs in the post (well, this is my wish actually). I also like to add a welcome page with recent posts and comments list. option is one of the best wordpress themes, but I guess it won't be the default one. the default theme for the next wordpress will be as simple as possible, no gradient, two or three colums (customized), but supporting tabs in the post (well, this is my wish actually).
I also like to add a welcome page with recent posts and comments list.

option is one of the best wordpress themes, but I guess it won’t be the default one.

]]> By: Mithila Mangedarage http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-855 Mithila Mangedarage Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:51:08 +0000 http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-855 I can't agree with you more.It's time wordpress changed the default theme and you are spot on about it not being the face of what wordpress is today.Amd it's obvious that the new and the most promising themes are three column blogs.Yeah we've seen four columns come and go.But nothing ticks like a three column blog.I have seen many nice themes provided for free wordpress hosted blogs and I think "The Digg 3 Column" is a perfect one for a default theme.I have two reasons: (a) It's not complex at all,but really is easy on the eye and is way way way more professional looking than the Cubrick. (b)Digg is a top notch site,if this theme was not there,how many people do you think would be dreaming to have a layout like digg?See,never change a winning note!I mean theme. But I understand that more than us suggesting themes you would like to know what we think a default a theme should have.We have seen some themes that give you the ability to swap from two columns to one column.I don't think this is very complex for the starter.Because if you know how to download a theme and upload it through your server it should be easy as "ABC".So yes,the number of columns should be changeable.Also I think the average blogger is not always "Goth".The default theme should be easy on the eye and ofcourse "Goth" themes are very easy on my "Goth" eyes but the average default theme should be somewhat light in colour and ofcourse should look professional.Did you know that I almost gave up blogging trying to look for that perfect theme? A magazine theme for a default theme?Major no!no!It will be too complex and may not fit in the needs of the average personal blogger.Many bloggers (unsuccessfuly) entre the scene trying make money online after seeing the likes of "Pro blogger" "Chow" and "Shoe".So for starters I think a default theme should be AdSense compatible. I would still like to suggest another theme though,I think the theme "Twenty-Eight Thirteen" is a perfect theme for a default theme.Because of its minimalistic features,AdSense compatibility and ofcourse the three columns.Wish you the best of luck with your blogging!!! I can’t agree with you more.It’s time wordpress changed the default theme and you are spot on about it not being the face of what wordpress is today.Amd it’s obvious that the new and the most promising themes are three column blogs.Yeah we’ve seen four columns come and go.But nothing ticks like a three column blog.I have seen many nice themes provided for free wordpress hosted blogs and I think “The Digg 3 Column” is a perfect one for a default theme.I have two reasons:
(a) It’s not complex at all,but really is easy on the eye and is way way way more professional looking than the Cubrick.
(b)Digg is a top notch site,if this theme was not there,how many people do you think would be dreaming to have a layout like digg?See,never change a winning note!I mean theme.
But I understand that more than us suggesting themes you would like to know what we think a default a theme should have.We have seen some themes that give you the ability to swap from two columns to one column.I don’t think this is very complex for the starter.Because if you know how to download a theme and upload it through your server it should be easy as “ABC”.So yes,the number of columns should be changeable.Also I think the average blogger is not always “Goth”.The default theme should be easy on the eye and ofcourse “Goth” themes are very easy on my “Goth” eyes but the average default theme should be somewhat light in colour and ofcourse should look professional.Did you know that I almost gave up blogging trying to look for that perfect theme?
A magazine theme for a default theme?Major no!no!It will be too complex and may not fit in the needs of the average personal blogger.Many bloggers (unsuccessfuly) entre the scene trying make money online after seeing the likes of “Pro blogger” “Chow” and “Shoe”.So for starters I think a default theme should be AdSense compatible.
I would still like to suggest another theme though,I think the theme “Twenty-Eight Thirteen” is a perfect theme for a default theme.Because of its minimalistic features,AdSense compatibility and ofcourse the three columns.Wish you the best of luck with your blogging!!!

]]> By: TouchDown http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-854 TouchDown Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:01:38 +0000 http://themeshaper.com/the-next-wordpress-default-theme/#comment-854 A Nytimes.com theme would be fine. A Nytimes.com theme would be fine.

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