Template Frameworks for Joomla and WordPress
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It seems that the new fashion in template creation for Joomla and WordPress is frameworks as it makes it easier to produce new templates every month. In the Joomla world we are used to these well known template clubs where one can get really nice and cool templates with all latest Web 2.0 features. To name a few of these such as RocketTheme and YOOtheme for Joomla where one for a reasonable price $75 for one year subscription get access and support to their templates. I am subscribing to both of these template clubs as they seem to be the one according to my opinion who are the leading ones.
Gantry
RocketTheme have recently launched its Gantry framework which look very promising. With the December 2009 template named Reaction we get the first glimpse of what is possible with the new Gantry template framework.
Key Features
The Gantry framework is packed with many great features that enable the rapid development of feature-rich designs with a minimum amount of effort. Some sample of the features Gantry brings to the table:
- 960 Grid System (http://960.gs) for simple consistent layout
- Cleaner more understandable index.php. All the complicated bits are handled for you in the Gantry core.
- Flexibility to configure up to 6 modules in row position.
- 65 base module positions in the Gantry core. These can be easily extended to add more
- 36 possible combinations for the layout of the mainbody/sidebars alone!
- Flexibility to configure different grid-size layouts based on number of published modules. You are not forced to use the same grid layout for every page
- 12 built-in Gantry Features like Logo, font-sizer, to-top smooth slider. Easily create your own to add more functionality with little coding required.
- Ability to force module display and ‘blank’ module positions for advanced module placement ability.
- Stunning new Admin interface providing better usability and control.
- Unique Layout controls allow you to configure your layout without having to do math or ever create a ‘broken’ layout.
- Layout controls provide visual representation of your front-end layout for simple and intuitive customization.
- Gantry is XML driven, adding another row of completely flexible module positions is as simple as editing one XML file.
- New flexible parameter system allows loading preset theme attributes and modifying for a custom design. Also support session and cookie level overriding for development.
- All new table-less HTML overrides based on the excellent GNU/GPLv2 overrides from YOOtheme
- New standard typography and Joomla core elements styling
- New advanced caching system makes using Gantry really fast!
- All configuration state is stored in params.ini and cached for speed.
- Optimized codebase with speed, size, and reuse core tenants of the framework design
Warp5
YOOtheme have their template framework called Warp5. That template framework was introduced with the July 2009 template named Phoenix.
Key Features
Warp5 is a fast and powerful template framework for Joomla. It lets you create sophisticated templates in no time, even for comprehensive websites. It provides a hybrid fluid-pixel grid and all the elaborate functionalities that make our templates easy to edit, nice to look at and super fast, in every browser.
- Flexible Layout – The flexible grid with its modern multi column layout lets you achieve any design layout.
- Menu System – Create clearly arranged & even comprehensive interfaces with Warp’s enhanced menu system.
- Developer Toolbox – CSS, JS and PHP kits for rapid template development make creating websites a breeze.
- Module System – Warp provides a clear grid for modules and a wide diversity of templates for module variations.
- Ultra Fast Loading – Optimal loading time thanks to minimal file requests, gzip compression and image sprites. – Search Engine Optimized
- Search engine friendly 2-1-3 column ordering for fully accessible sites, even without JS.
In the WordPress world we have Thesis and Headway even if these more provide the framework with rudimentary looks. This site is actually using the Thesis theme with a free “Fresh Company” skin from ThesisThemes who specialize in providing customizations for the Thesis theme.
