Member
Arf!
I've notice new WordPress Frameworks and Themes coming out designed to be Web Responsive (aka Mobile and Tablet Friendly). I've also been informed that you can have a "Web Responsive" Theme, but have it respond incorrectly if a "Non-Responsive" Plugin is enabled (CSS issue?).
How about a new category "Responsive" or "Web Responsive Design" in the Free Themes Directory's Tag Filter?
AND
A new "Responsive" or "Web Responsive" Plugin Category?
Member
I think this is a good idea for themes.
Plugins with heavy css or images, such as some widgets are never likely to really work in a responsive theme without some css work.
To implement this, there would probably need to be some sort of default suggested styles for themes, such as some I use from TwentyEleven. Theme and plugin authors could use these styles for some of the common techniques used in responsive design.
Member
I agree. Adaptive, Responsive, and Mobile-1st web design currently seems to entail various methods, techniques, and tools (example: 320 & Up) with various degrees of success and limitations. I think that current and future users of WordPress would benefit from having ALL themes (and as many Plugins as possible) categorized according to their use limitations with mobile devices. The WordPress Development Team can decide how to present this, but I think it would fall into place with Matt's decision to hide non-updated themes over 2 yrs old. Maybe that time period should be reduced to 1 yr mandatory updating to keep up with current design thought.
I'm not trying to be mean, but browsers are updated every week or month...........why not WP Theme & Plugin Design with categorization into Adaptive and/or Responsive Web Design standards set up by WordPress.org.
Is this idea too crazy?
Member
I'm back,
Sorry, but I just can't give up on this idea. I think it is important.
Currently there seems to be three (3) terms used for Web Design, that offer mobile support: Adaptive Design, Responsive Design, and Mobile First.
The first two terms describe Top Down (scaling) design, particularly with
images.
The last one (Mobile First) describes Bottom Up design, and seems to be the newest and most recent.
Would MOBILE FIRST be the best choice of the three, for a NEW CATEGORY for Theme and Plugin Directories ??
OR, How About All Three? Anybody else have any comments?
Member
If WP were to allow adaptive & restrictive categories, then the code base could be updated to allow different widget configurations for full browser vs mobile. The settings section in WP admin could reflect this too. This would solve part of Jeff's concern about individual plugins that won't play well with mobile by allowing users to select which plugins appear in specific browser types.
On the whole though, if "code is poetry," then only plugins and themes that support all browser types should be recognized officially. Adaptive layouts represent the more elegant option versus defining many categories and options for different viewing configurations. It's really the best way to ensure that a wider audience ends up with a nice looking website, too. Giving a person with few tech skills too many options makes it overwhelming.
Member
I think it's important to have common terminology,
Here is my understanding of the terms used in this thread:
In order for plugins that display content or output css to work reasonably well with responsive design out of the box, they need to take flexible widths into account.
The way themes handle standard css like image alignment is probably a good way to go about this.
Member
Design Terminology Matters:
WordPress.com has a three (3) WIDTH FEATURE FILTERS for their Theme Showcase http://theme.wordpress.com/themes/. They are: Fixed Width, Flexible Width, and Responsive Layout. I'm not sure what parameters are required for that "Responsive Layout", but it's a great start. At least they are making an effort to categorize for some recognizable form of "Responsive Design".
Before anybody responds to me saying that WordPress.com is a different organization than WordPress.org, I'm fully aware of that. What matters is that they have started a visually recognizable categorization of themes for Responsive/Adaptive/Mobile First Design and WordPress.org HAS NOT, for some reason or other.
I'm not saying that anybody has "dropped the ball", it's just that in the foreground "ours is not rolling".
Member
I'm not sure of the etiquette for offering support of this idea, but basically I'd like to say I think it's a good one.
I don't know enough about plugin development to comment, but for theme development, it's definitely important and I think it will soon become a major criteria by which bloggers decide on a theme to use.
Member
adamlofting,
Here's a start!
Using one of the following Browser Extensions:
1.) https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/homgcnaoacgigpkkljjjekpignblkeae
2.) https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/wappalyzer/
Look for the WordPress Icon in you browser's Address Bar anytime you surf the web.
COPY AND PASTE the URL of any WordPress site into the Address Bar of one of these Testing Tools:
A.) http://quirktools.com/screenfly/
B.) http://mattkersley.com/responsive/
See how many WordPress Themes ARE NOT RESPONSIVE unless the viewport is scrolled. Realize that some viewers DON'T MIND SCROLLING.
Then read this: http://toolbox-4-websites.com/2012/genesis-a-step-ahead-of-the-other-premium-wp-frameworks/
Member
An Update, on what I've recently noticed in the Free Themes Directory:
http://toolbox-4-websites.com/2012/is-wordpress-org-missing-a-theme-filter/
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