JoomlaJunkie - Joomla Template Provider Bringing color to the Joomla community

We are always looking for ways to refine our code, simplify wherever possible and generally improve anything that can be improved on. In order to do this properly, we need to set ourselves certain benchmarks. We need feedback and input from the people that matter most - you. What are the things that you think are important and should be included in every template? What are the "nice to haves" and what are things that could be done better? In a demo, what is it that you would like to see, in order to see a template’s full potential?

I prefer things simple. What I mean is a clean and (for me) simple structure with easy to find modules in the index and other php files plus a nicely ordered css. If the accompanying source files are in png's (I love fireworks) and easy to edit, I'm your man.
"Nice have's?" You know what's nice to have? That things keep working when you are adding one component or module after the other and there are no mootools or javascripts at war with each other, Thats nice.
In a demo I always look for: the main structure of the site, how easily can I modify, the typography, module positions and variations. Everything else is extra.

Just some thoughts, more are welcome, just shoot .

Hi Dick,
Thanks for taking the time to provide us with your feedback!

Here are a couple of things we are considered to be included in the base template framework:
- Collapsible modules
- 3 Columns with configurable layouts
- SuperMenu (suckerfish, superfish, split, dropline, module)
- ModFX (mix and match module styles)
- Intelligent module positions
- Top and bottom shelfs
- Tatami enabled
- Various configuration options
- Configurable color themes
- Frontend controls (theme, text sizer, etc)
- NoConflict mode
- Fluid or fixed width
- Additional modules

Any more suggestions?

Thanks!
Chris

My preferences and wishes are for:

Quick loading
Standards compliant
Choice of fixed/fluid width
Uncluttered, clean and stylish look
Sliced PNGs
More options for module menus (vertical menus)
Template guides specifically for Joomla 1.5 users
Template guides include how to change logo/name easily.
Include images for use in menu items/module H3 titles of standard areas (contact, login, forum, about, blog)
Styling for displaying log in, tables, feeds
Lots of suffixes to choose from for modules (like the idea of gradient suffix at top and bottom of modules in your new template)
Template that incorporates tabbed modules
Template that is likely to produce few conflicts with extensions

Joomla 1.5 Compatibility! I see that yet again, the latest template is only released for Joomla 1.0 and there is no joomla 1.5 native version avilable.

I feel conned out of my subscription fees especially if you keep failing to produce products which are of no use (Aurora Development notes on the site for joomla 1.0 stopped approx 4weeks ago and no hope in sight for joomla 1.5 either) - why not develop for the CURRENT PLATFORM?

Hi Steve,
I am sorry to hear that you feel that you are not getting what you paid for. We have explained our motivations for releasing the 1.0.x versions before the 1.5 versions, but let me clarify again.

Based on the downloads in our club, the 1.0.x version is still by far the most downloaded, so we have decided to first release the 1.0.x version, then make sure that there are no bugs in the template, before moving on to the 1.5 version. With Aurora this is a bit more tricky, due to the templates complexity and relying on Tatami, for which there was no 1.5 version. Plus there were a couple of issues that we needed to sort out first, such as the templates loading time - which is now resolved.

Then add into the mix all the other stuff we are busy with - the new free extensions, the new quick installer (something that our members have been requesting for ages), as well as improving our documentation, getting our affiliate program up, starting the transition to club only and releasing a new template. I know that common belief is that JoomlaJunkie is an unstoppable machine, but we are only human and there are only so many hours in the day.

So, to clarify... We are very much aware that we need to get our existing templates converted to 1.5 asap! We already have an action plan in place to do so, which is planned to start next week. All we ask is that you look at the bigger picture of whats going on in the background and that you understand that our lack of 1.5 templates is not because we do not think its important, but rather that there is only so much we can do and keep everyone happy. We really are doing our best here!

Cheers,
Chris