It’s Official. I’m a Sandboxer!
- Filed under: Wpdesigner.com
Recently, I used Sandbox to build the Wrath theme.
The first time toying with the Sandbox theme was a challenging, but rewarding experience. From dynamic classes and backward compatibility techniques to negative margins and avoiding bloated markup, I’ve learned a lot.
You might not know this; my skills are self taught. And, I haven’t had time to keep up with the latest techniques and standards so I’m grateful for it when something like Sandbox comes along. For me, it reinforced fundamentals, introduced new techniques (WordPress related), forced me to push CSS possibilities, and allowed me to end up with something up to standards. All of that within one sitting, as you can imagine, I can’t say enough about the Sandbox theme.
Conversely, although now I can see why other theme authors have been pushing for widespread adoption of Sandbox, there’s room for improvement (like all things of course).
For one thing, Sandbox’s horizontal menu does not limit
depth display to 1
Sandbox drop-down links are slick, but they can’t solve this problem because the drop-down solution doesn’t work out of the box, not even in Firefox. The problem isn’t whether the default styles for drop-down links matches those of the customized theme or skin. The problem is the drop-down links don’t function or display properly. Some of the drop down links are displayed in Firefox, partially. For Internet Explorer 6, they don’t appear at all.
The temporary solution is to add
to
file.
For another example, the reason Wrath is only a theme based on Sandbox rather than a Sandbox skin is because there was no way for me to add the red about box without touching the source codes. This isn’t actually a problem, but it would help future Sandbox skin designers a lot if later versions allow us to add on or modify the source code without having to touch it.
Rather than despite the small room for improvements, Sandbox is a great theme because it has almost everything you need to learn and build upon.
Of course, I will continue working with Sandbox. A Sandbox checklist will be posted soon.
glad to hear it!
the reason that the full page list is shown is to enable designers to do drop down menus if they want (per the example in the default). in designing for the sandbox,
is your best friend. there is also navigation at the top and bottom of every page. it’s unlikely that most themes will use both.
i’ve talked with scott about a different way to include the various functions in the sandbox theme. once we get rolling on that suggestion (for 1.0) it will be possible for sandbox hackers to just remove functions.php without any adverse effects.
it will also be possible to modify the menu, or the dynamic classes, via plugin or your own functions.php.
btw, sandbox is intended to be hacked and repuprosed for other full-fledged themes, not just pure CSS.
also, you should post suggestions in the sandbox development groups as well, so it’s easier to keep track of them.
the drop down example in the default doesn’t work. i tested sandbox before skinning it.
my second example in the post was to point out what could help out skinners. it would be nice to be able to modify the source through plugins, includes, and functions.
I tried to use Sandbox as the basis for my first theme and gave up because sadly, I could not figure it out. I think I was just too new at the theme thing. Maybe with a few more examples out there now, and a little more experience under my belt, I should try it again. Do you think you’ll continue to use it as the basis for future themes?
These are all valid suggestions. Adam’s right that the markup isn’t gospel and should be modified as needed.
Within the context of the comp, though, everyone is challenged with the same composite blog.
I’ve struggled with the containing divs. Definitely could use all the suggestions with those.
[…] be done in CSS. I had to remove a number of design elements from my initial Photoshop mockup since it was not practical to implement them using just CSS. Example a date button like “JAN 09″. If you have any suggestions for the Wordpress […]
Does anybody know if there is a Sandbox theme for K2? I’m kinda struggeling with making a theme for K2.
Hey.. maybe you, Small Potato, could make one someday?
The one you have for regular WP is already great and have thought me a lot! Thanks!
I’m glad you tackled the Sandbox.
I was hoping to get to play with it myself, but yes, like someone stated earlier I was overwhelmed by it. So, I look forward to reading your checklist, as much as I enjoyed following your tutorial!
Actually, K2 uses the Sandbox markup structure, so porting a Sandbox theme to K2 shouldn’t be too difficult, though K2 is a much more complex and thorough theme than most.
Now, if your asking for K2 skin for the Sandbox, I believe there are at least a couple. One here.
Oh excellent Scott. Many thanks!
Sandbox，新玩具
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