
Hanging out with Matt at the end of WordCampSF 2011
One framework to rule them…
One idea I had recently (and discussed with Ryan of WPCandy and others at WordCampsf2011) was to create a WordPress theme framework review site. I’d like to present this idea here and see if anyone is interested in pursuing this idea with me.
There are so many frameworks out there. And I keep having the same conversation with developers where they want to develop their own. I would love a resource like the trusty old CMS matrix that compares the 100s of CMS options out there and lets the user sort by features (that site is far from perfect but I know many people who find it and use it as a resource in selecting a CMS—of course they all end up working with WordPress or Drupal).
So what criteria would be useful in a framework comparison site? Some obvious options:
- Is the WordPress framework Open Source?
- If not how much does it cost?
- GPL?
- Page layout options?
- SEO vs SEO plugin ready?
- Widget region list or ability to make regions within framework?
- Export/import theme settings?
- What else…
Some links related to frameworks:
- A great post about Frameworks vs Parent themes (defining also child, and grandchild themes)
- A nice overview: sixrevisions.com
- 23 frameworks: wpthemerkit.com
- Pressworks framework – this is new and i’m not familiar with it
Some final notes on WordCamp
- When you need custom bits of data to be attached to a post or any custom content type: magic fields or Custom field template
- Both feature duplicatable fields – so users can add more and more of the stuff they want.
- Ajax Force Comment Preview: also helps prevents spam
- Every month, THINKademic will develop a free brochure type web site for a deserving non profit that is trying do something good in the world.
- User management: Role Scoper , Extended Super Admin and Members plugins (managing roles and users)
- Basetrack theme: posts are geotagged and displayed on a timeline. alot of “wow” features in this one and a powerful social message behind its development.
- 2011 (the theme and I suppose also the year itself) surprised me with its responsive web design
- Slides on WordPress as a CMS with great plugin tips:
- Pressfs: a file system for WordPress
- Document revisions (beta)
- Interesting test case: globalshakespeares.org
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