[themes] Rapid Theme Development was: Re: [development] Administration Survey: Theme improvements, theme help system, theme mailing list

[andre]

Sorry for the cross post - but I thought I would move this discussion to 
the theme list.

Dries Buytaert wrote:
>  Having to create a Drupal theme really  turns me 
> off.
> 
> Making it easier to create a unique, good-looking theme in a matter  of 
> hours is a key challenge for the Drupal community.

Well - the 90-10 rule applies.  I get get 90% of a theme done very 
rapidly and have a pretty good looking site at the end of a short 
session (i.e. matter of hours).  But, its that last 10% that takes 90% 
of the time.  All the special cases - all the different forms - 
different node types - different 'sections' of a site that require a 
different look etc.  All the tiny annoying little bumps that require 
ironing.  That's what's a pain in the ass.

But, most of this is unavoidable.  This time consuming stuff isn't the 
fault of the themeing engine or the templates... its the natural result 
of people wanting to modify things because they don't want a 'stock' 
vanilla looking elements.  They want to mod almost every detail - and 
that kind of modification takes time.

And also keep in mind that some of these mods that make a site look 
'unique' aren't just simple theme overrides - they are hacked and 
modified modules - that become completely new modules and/or new 
functionality contributed back to core modules.

andre

		
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