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"user_comment": "This feed allows you to read the posts from this site in any feed reader that supports the JSON Feed format. To add this feed to your reader, copy the following URL -- https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team/feed/json -- and add it your reader.",
"home_page_url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team",
"feed_url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team/feed/json",
"language": "en-US",
"title": "Comments on: Ollie Theme Faces Pushback from WordPress Theme Review Team",
"description": "WordPress News \u2014 Free as in Beer.",
"icon": "https://149611589.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/cropped-tavern-favicon.png",
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{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444365",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444365",
"content_html": "In reply to Andrew Starr.\n\nBut in this case, if I switch theme, but miss the point that onboarding process for this theme was implemented by some plugin, I\u2019ll get useless plugin activated. If it became common practice, after testing 3-4 themes, before choosing the one I need, I\u2019ll get 2-3 plugins, which do nothing in my current setup, but could conflict each other in theory. I just mean that maybe in this case following exact guidelines, about moving such functionality into a plugin, a bit lost sense from end user point of view (but in theory exactly end user should be in priority, when we making any decisions how to do or not to do something)\n\nBut also I agree that complete onboarding process for WordPress should be much wider than just setting up the theme. And ideally it should be presented as some API/framework in the core. But until we do not have it, maybe it make sense to approve such experiments on theme level, after more detailed review?",
"content_text": "In reply to Andrew Starr.\n\nBut in this case, if I switch theme, but miss the point that onboarding process for this theme was implemented by some plugin, I\u2019ll get useless plugin activated. If it became common practice, after testing 3-4 themes, before choosing the one I need, I\u2019ll get 2-3 plugins, which do nothing in my current setup, but could conflict each other in theory. I just mean that maybe in this case following exact guidelines, about moving such functionality into a plugin, a bit lost sense from end user point of view (but in theory exactly end user should be in priority, when we making any decisions how to do or not to do something)\n\nBut also I agree that complete onboarding process for WordPress should be much wider than just setting up the theme. And ideally it should be presented as some API/framework in the core. But until we do not have it, maybe it make sense to approve such experiments on theme level, after more detailed review?",
"date_published": "2023-10-02T19:52:30-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Andrew",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/34ebae74f182136e4cade70c6142d735?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
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"author": {
"name": "Andrew",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/34ebae74f182136e4cade70c6142d735?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
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{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444364",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444364",
"content_html": "In reply to victor.\n\nI like your ideas, Victor.\n\nPerhaps the WordPress core team could work with Mike McAlister to test his onboarding system in the Gutenburg plugin. That would be a path forward to making WordPress block themes much more user-friendly.\n\nThat kind of functionality could be made accessible anywhere within WordPress admin to provide guidance about how to use certain features.",
"content_text": "In reply to victor.\n\nI like your ideas, Victor.\n\nPerhaps the WordPress core team could work with Mike McAlister to test his onboarding system in the Gutenburg plugin. That would be a path forward to making WordPress block themes much more user-friendly.\n\nThat kind of functionality could be made accessible anywhere within WordPress admin to provide guidance about how to use certain features.",
"date_published": "2023-10-02T17:55:40-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Glenn",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f98a8d346850c7a88c1b011a3d7dc119?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
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"author": {
"name": "Glenn",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f98a8d346850c7a88c1b011a3d7dc119?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
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{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444355",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444355",
"content_html": "In reply to Andrew.\n\nIf the onboarding was in a plugin, it could be designed in such a way that the user experience would be exactly the same.\nAs it is now with the onboarding included in the theme, the user activates the Ollie theme and they are presented with a notification inviting them to click a button that takes them to the onboarding page.\nThis could be exactly the same process for the user if the onboarding code was in a plugin. The same theme notification could be presented, with the only difference being that when clicking the button the plugin would be installed and activated (this is allowed because themes can recommend plugins), with the plugin then providing the code to take the user on to the onboarding page.\nThere would be no noticable difference in the process as far as the user is concerned.",
"content_text": "In reply to Andrew.\n\nIf the onboarding was in a plugin, it could be designed in such a way that the user experience would be exactly the same.\nAs it is now with the onboarding included in the theme, the user activates the Ollie theme and they are presented with a notification inviting them to click a button that takes them to the onboarding page.\nThis could be exactly the same process for the user if the onboarding code was in a plugin. The same theme notification could be presented, with the only difference being that when clicking the button the plugin would be installed and activated (this is allowed because themes can recommend plugins), with the plugin then providing the code to take the user on to the onboarding page.\nThere would be no noticable difference in the process as far as the user is concerned.",
"date_published": "2023-10-02T08:49:41-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Andrew Starr",
"url": "https://uxlthemes.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3f75c6569a1ebd54cb74a7d8a64c8edf?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Andrew Starr",
"url": "https://uxlthemes.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3f75c6569a1ebd54cb74a7d8a64c8edf?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
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{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444352",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444352",
"content_html": "I really like what this theme was trying to accomplish. In essence, it is solving an issue that WP Core has always had, by introducing an onboarding process.\nHowever, I agree 100% with the decision of the themes team.\nThere are clear guidelines about what themes should do and what they should avoid. There is a clear distinction between plugin and theme territory.\nThese rules are not arbitrary… They have been painfully curated and created after a lot of thought. All rules and guidelines in place were created after someone abused a “hole” in the system.\nThe theme guidelines and rules are upheld exactly because we need a healthy ecosystem. If something is allowed for one theme, it must be allowed for all.\nAs Carolina mentioned in a comment above, approving the theme would open the gate for all kinds of abuse and security issues.\n\nSome people here mention that the theme review process is broken… It’s not. What is really broken is people’s perception of what a theme is.\nWhat needs to change is not the themes review process… If a feature is missing from Core, then we can’t just start adding random features to themes – no matter how valid or useful these features are.\nThat’s why we have plugins.\n\nIdeally, an onboarding framework would be part of Core, and I wish we could have that – but I don’t know if there are any plans for something like that anytime soon.\n\nUntil then, everyone should respect the guidelines & rules; they are there for our protection.",
"content_text": "I really like what this theme was trying to accomplish. In essence, it is solving an issue that WP Core has always had, by introducing an onboarding process.\nHowever, I agree 100% with the decision of the themes team.\nThere are clear guidelines about what themes should do and what they should avoid. There is a clear distinction between plugin and theme territory.\nThese rules are not arbitrary… They have been painfully curated and created after a lot of thought. All rules and guidelines in place were created after someone abused a “hole” in the system.\nThe theme guidelines and rules are upheld exactly because we need a healthy ecosystem. If something is allowed for one theme, it must be allowed for all.\nAs Carolina mentioned in a comment above, approving the theme would open the gate for all kinds of abuse and security issues.\n\nSome people here mention that the theme review process is broken… It’s not. What is really broken is people’s perception of what a theme is.\nWhat needs to change is not the themes review process… If a feature is missing from Core, then we can’t just start adding random features to themes – no matter how valid or useful these features are.\nThat’s why we have plugins.\n\nIdeally, an onboarding framework would be part of Core, and I wish we could have that – but I don’t know if there are any plans for something like that anytime soon.\n\nUntil then, everyone should respect the guidelines & rules; they are there for our protection.",
"date_published": "2023-10-02T06:55:53-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Ari Stathopoulos",
"url": "https://aristath.github.io",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/18a8f65a014d3038d08fc424fc5f3110?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Ari Stathopoulos",
"url": "https://aristath.github.io",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/18a8f65a014d3038d08fc424fc5f3110?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
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{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444351",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444351",
"content_html": "This article and the subsequent comments are not showing the full picture, giving the readers the impression that the pushback is all about the onboarding functionality and nothing else.\n\nThe issue of the included dozen or so videos that are pulled directly from YouTube gets zero coverage. In the theme review ticket this was mentioned four times, yet the theme author has maintained complete silence regarding this issue and the implications of including non-GPL compatible assets/content. The cornerstone of open source WordPress, and the theme author would seemingly rather pretend this issue does not exist.\n\nDoes the above sound combative? I don’t know, I’ll let others decide this for themselves, but I would ask that readers please try to consider that it can be difficult to get the tone perfect when attempting to say something that someone else does not want to hear.",
"content_text": "This article and the subsequent comments are not showing the full picture, giving the readers the impression that the pushback is all about the onboarding functionality and nothing else.\n\nThe issue of the included dozen or so videos that are pulled directly from YouTube gets zero coverage. In the theme review ticket this was mentioned four times, yet the theme author has maintained complete silence regarding this issue and the implications of including non-GPL compatible assets/content. The cornerstone of open source WordPress, and the theme author would seemingly rather pretend this issue does not exist.\n\nDoes the above sound combative? I don’t know, I’ll let others decide this for themselves, but I would ask that readers please try to consider that it can be difficult to get the tone perfect when attempting to say something that someone else does not want to hear.",
"date_published": "2023-10-02T06:48:13-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Andrew Starr",
"url": "https://uxlthemes.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3f75c6569a1ebd54cb74a7d8a64c8edf?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Andrew Starr",
"url": "https://uxlthemes.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3f75c6569a1ebd54cb74a7d8a64c8edf?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444336",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444336",
"content_html": "If we\u2019ll move onboarding for the theme into a plugin, we\u2019ll probably need an onboarding process to install onboarding plugin. From Review team point of view – what the sense of such \u201conboarding\u201d process for end user?",
"content_text": "If we\u2019ll move onboarding for the theme into a plugin, we\u2019ll probably need an onboarding process to install onboarding plugin. From Review team point of view – what the sense of such \u201conboarding\u201d process for end user?",
"date_published": "2023-10-02T00:55:52-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Andrew",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/34ebae74f182136e4cade70c6142d735?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Andrew",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/34ebae74f182136e4cade70c6142d735?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444323",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444323",
"content_html": "This is a shame. I saw Mike McAlister talking about how much extra work it was to make a block theme, but how he believed in the project.\n\nIt’s the only block theme I’ve seen getting some widespread (and much needed) love and positivity.\n\nSince Gutenberg there’s been so much division and negativity in WordPress that I have started calling it an Open Sores community.",
"content_text": "This is a shame. I saw Mike McAlister talking about how much extra work it was to make a block theme, but how he believed in the project.\n\nIt’s the only block theme I’ve seen getting some widespread (and much needed) love and positivity.\n\nSince Gutenberg there’s been so much division and negativity in WordPress that I have started calling it an Open Sores community.",
"date_published": "2023-10-01T13:05:44-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "David Waumsley",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4dd9f6b3bbf5f953752fe61b115be396?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "David Waumsley",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4dd9f6b3bbf5f953752fe61b115be396?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444312",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444312",
"content_html": "In reply to Carolina.\n\nSo, the themes review team are exceptional and don\u2019t need to keep up with the rest of us?\n\n\u201cLearn JavaScript Deeply\u201d\n\nThis highlights that the themes review process is broken and the personalities involved are more focussed on themselves than the ecosystem. ( if mental health challenges are not being met then I applaud the self focus, but this is another symptom of the issue.)\n\nIs it for the theme review team to allocate resources to problems in the ecosystem ( as above where they declare that they will decide who solves onboarding) I wouldn\u2019t have thought so.\n\nWhy do you say this cannot be a special case?\n\nThis is all incredibly petty sounding, but I don\u2019t blame the theme review team \u2013 they need a break.\n\nAnd we need a new theme review process.",
"content_text": "In reply to Carolina.\n\nSo, the themes review team are exceptional and don\u2019t need to keep up with the rest of us?\n\n\u201cLearn JavaScript Deeply\u201d\n\nThis highlights that the themes review process is broken and the personalities involved are more focussed on themselves than the ecosystem. ( if mental health challenges are not being met then I applaud the self focus, but this is another symptom of the issue.)\n\nIs it for the theme review team to allocate resources to problems in the ecosystem ( as above where they declare that they will decide who solves onboarding) I wouldn\u2019t have thought so.\n\nWhy do you say this cannot be a special case?\n\nThis is all incredibly petty sounding, but I don\u2019t blame the theme review team \u2013 they need a break.\n\nAnd we need a new theme review process.",
"date_published": "2023-10-01T03:46:45-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Mr David Hoy",
"url": "http://davidhoywp.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/46e1f6b3b956b475cc03eb020e472e68?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Mr David Hoy",
"url": "http://davidhoywp.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/46e1f6b3b956b475cc03eb020e472e68?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444309",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444309",
"content_html": "The fact that everyone who isn\u2019t a programmer or intense \u201cfanboi\u201d WP nerds needs onboarding help for block themes suggests block themes should still be in beta.\n\nAs should anything where tutorials contain sentences like \u201cSimply open the JSON file in your favorite text editor and\u2026\u201d\n\nFrom a professional app developer\u2019s perspective it\u2019s enough that FSE is easier than setting up for app development with SwiftUI or the Android SDK. But from the average actual WordPress site owner\u2019s perspective maybe that\u2019s not good enough.",
"content_text": "The fact that everyone who isn\u2019t a programmer or intense \u201cfanboi\u201d WP nerds needs onboarding help for block themes suggests block themes should still be in beta.\n\nAs should anything where tutorials contain sentences like \u201cSimply open the JSON file in your favorite text editor and\u2026\u201d\n\nFrom a professional app developer\u2019s perspective it\u2019s enough that FSE is easier than setting up for app development with SwiftUI or the Android SDK. But from the average actual WordPress site owner\u2019s perspective maybe that\u2019s not good enough.",
"date_published": "2023-09-30T22:49:10-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "RealBasics",
"url": "https://realbasics.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2928325fc6444444226b34d87a02ee7e?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "RealBasics",
"url": "https://realbasics.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2928325fc6444444226b34d87a02ee7e?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444305",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444305",
"content_html": "In reply to Carolina.\n\nAs you understand, the discussions will continue. If not at the next team meeting, then on the team blog on WordPress.org.",
"content_text": "In reply to Carolina.\n\nAs you understand, the discussions will continue. If not at the next team meeting, then on the team blog on WordPress.org.",
"date_published": "2023-09-30T19:27:39-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Carolina",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ae602c7505df11d71c86116def15df97?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Carolina",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ae602c7505df11d71c86116def15df97?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444304",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444304",
"content_html": "In reply to Alex de Borba.\n\nThe functionality and features requirement apply to all themes.",
"content_text": "In reply to Alex de Borba.\n\nThe functionality and features requirement apply to all themes.",
"date_published": "2023-09-30T18:52:59-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Carolina",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ae602c7505df11d71c86116def15df97?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Carolina",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ae602c7505df11d71c86116def15df97?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444300",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444300",
"content_html": "I believe that Carolina mentioned TGMPA framework \u2013 how about creating an Onboarding Block Themes framework, and distribute it on the GitHub? Did someone proposed that to McAlister? Would WP.org Themes Team consider allowing such a solution?\n(btw, is the TGMPA allowed for WP.org themes \u2026 ?)\n( \u2026 I know, I know, too many questions \u2026 \ud83d\ude42 )",
"content_text": "I believe that Carolina mentioned TGMPA framework \u2013 how about creating an Onboarding Block Themes framework, and distribute it on the GitHub? Did someone proposed that to McAlister? Would WP.org Themes Team consider allowing such a solution?\n(btw, is the TGMPA allowed for WP.org themes \u2026 ?)\n( \u2026 I know, I know, too many questions \u2026 \ud83d\ude42 )",
"date_published": "2023-09-30T14:19:28-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Alen S.",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5159c837b222f45b9673e636afa38e3?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Alen S.",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5159c837b222f45b9673e636afa38e3?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444299",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444299",
"content_html": "With the customizer out of the picture, theme settings should naturally find a home in the Editor, right?\n\nAlso, theme devs are pretty in tune with their users. Shouldn\u2019t they have a say in the onboarding process? They often know the best starting points for their audience.\n\nI don\u2019t think an exception needs to be made, I think the review standards need to be rewritten for Block Themes. That should help minimize the headaches and strain that Carolina brought up as well.\n\nIt sounds like some training may be needed to help evaluators understand the new standards being set by Block Themes and the FSE. That\u2019s understandable, and in my opinion should be a top priority.\n\nI would imagine that people like Mike and Justin are great candidates to create some of that training. Not only would it be helpful for training evaluators, it would also help developers better understand the standards they need to follow to get accepted into the repo.",
"content_text": "With the customizer out of the picture, theme settings should naturally find a home in the Editor, right?\n\nAlso, theme devs are pretty in tune with their users. Shouldn\u2019t they have a say in the onboarding process? They often know the best starting points for their audience.\n\nI don\u2019t think an exception needs to be made, I think the review standards need to be rewritten for Block Themes. That should help minimize the headaches and strain that Carolina brought up as well.\n\nIt sounds like some training may be needed to help evaluators understand the new standards being set by Block Themes and the FSE. That\u2019s understandable, and in my opinion should be a top priority.\n\nI would imagine that people like Mike and Justin are great candidates to create some of that training. Not only would it be helpful for training evaluators, it would also help developers better understand the standards they need to follow to get accepted into the repo.",
"date_published": "2023-09-30T13:16:51-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Corey Potter",
"url": "https://coreypotter.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6f22163e47d05db0a4a2bb18b6f414e6?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Corey Potter",
"url": "https://coreypotter.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6f22163e47d05db0a4a2bb18b6f414e6?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
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},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444295",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444295",
"content_html": "In reply to Carolina.\n\nI recognize that both teams operate independently. Were the VIP Block Themes team to adhere to the guidelines set by the Themes team, the quality of the VIP Block Themes might be elevated.\n\nYet, I must express my observation that many Block Themes available on the WordPress Themes Directory do not always adhere to the set guidelines. I have taken the time to download and examine the code of every Block Theme available over several months. This thorough review was primarily to serve as a point of comparison in light of the scant documentation available. My findings reveal numerous inconsistencies.\n\nI do not intend to imply that the team is not performing commendably. We are, after all, volunteers, doing our utmost to contribute. My intention is purely to offer constructive feedback. It is evident that the realm of Block Themes is still maturing, necessitating ongoing refinement, concerted effort, and collaboration given its ever-evolving nature.\n\nFrom my research, there does not seem to be any strict rules or guidelines specific to Block Themes that would exclude an onboarding feature. This leads me to believe that Ollie should be accepted in its current form, particularly considering its onboarding process is complimentary and not a premium feature.\n\nPlease enlighten me if my understanding is incorrect.",
"content_text": "In reply to Carolina.\n\nI recognize that both teams operate independently. Were the VIP Block Themes team to adhere to the guidelines set by the Themes team, the quality of the VIP Block Themes might be elevated.\n\nYet, I must express my observation that many Block Themes available on the WordPress Themes Directory do not always adhere to the set guidelines. I have taken the time to download and examine the code of every Block Theme available over several months. This thorough review was primarily to serve as a point of comparison in light of the scant documentation available. My findings reveal numerous inconsistencies.\n\nI do not intend to imply that the team is not performing commendably. We are, after all, volunteers, doing our utmost to contribute. My intention is purely to offer constructive feedback. It is evident that the realm of Block Themes is still maturing, necessitating ongoing refinement, concerted effort, and collaboration given its ever-evolving nature.\n\nFrom my research, there does not seem to be any strict rules or guidelines specific to Block Themes that would exclude an onboarding feature. This leads me to believe that Ollie should be accepted in its current form, particularly considering its onboarding process is complimentary and not a premium feature.\n\nPlease enlighten me if my understanding is incorrect.",
"date_published": "2023-09-30T11:25:40-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Alex de Borba",
"url": "https://alexdeborba.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bb2be29f446a0210a4dca820c0ee0890?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Alex de Borba",
"url": "https://alexdeborba.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bb2be29f446a0210a4dca820c0ee0890?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444277",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444277",
"content_html": "In reply to Alex de Borba.\n\nThe Automattic WIP team does not interact with the WordPress.org themes team members in any way.\nThere is no sharing of experiences or cross-team discussions so I don’t find this surprising at all.\nIf the WIP team believes such discussions would be beneficial they are of course welcome to make an introduction and attend the themes team meetings.",
"content_text": "In reply to Alex de Borba.\n\nThe Automattic WIP team does not interact with the WordPress.org themes team members in any way.\nThere is no sharing of experiences or cross-team discussions so I don’t find this surprising at all.\nIf the WIP team believes such discussions would be beneficial they are of course welcome to make an introduction and attend the themes team meetings.",
"date_published": "2023-09-30T02:02:32-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Carolina",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ae602c7505df11d71c86116def15df97?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Carolina",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ae602c7505df11d71c86116def15df97?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444273",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444273",
"content_html": "I agree a smoother theming process is needed. The combination of Elementor ( or similar), Customizer, various Block sets, and then theme features baked in all present too many disparate, unrelated design options. It isn't as smooth and solidly reliable or intuitive as it should be. Its a hodge podge. I have used WP since 2011 and I'd expect by now a more refined, tightly integrated design process. Look forward to future improvements!",
"content_text": "I agree a smoother theming process is needed. The combination of Elementor ( or similar), Customizer, various Block sets, and then theme features baked in all present too many disparate, unrelated design options. It isn't as smooth and solidly reliable or intuitive as it should be. Its a hodge podge. I have used WP since 2011 and I'd expect by now a more refined, tightly integrated design process. Look forward to future improvements!",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T22:19:15-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Elliot Jordan",
"url": "https://elliotslessons.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dffbc03554292d7fa8c1635ad362fe19?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Elliot Jordan",
"url": "https://elliotslessons.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dffbc03554292d7fa8c1635ad362fe19?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444272",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444272",
"content_html": "Mike McAlister may have acted hastily by announcing his theme's inclusion in the WordPress directory before actually submitting it and considering the possibility of its rejection.\n\nI have developed a block theme called S\u00e9ance, which delves into the history of the Fox sisters. Given its distinctive content, I am unsure if the Themes team would easily accept it into the directory.\n\nMy subsequent theme, Aegis, is specifically designed for academic publishing and WooCommerce, and it includes an onboarding feature. However, observing the challenges Mike McAlister is currently facing, I am hesitant to submit Aegis to the directory at this time.\n\nIt is intriguing to note that block themes with onboarding features are already present on WordPress VIP. And contrary to what some might think, these features are not added through an additional plugin. The approach taken is similar to the method Mike McAlister adopted with his theme on WordPress VIP.\n\nAs far as I am concerned, I find it ironic that a block theme which includes onboarding is facing such obstacles, especially when there are hundreds of classic themes on the Themes Directory which are laden with upsells. These upsells, in my view, seem more intrusive and aggressive towards users and are less community-friendly than a feature that aids users in rapidly setting up their site.\n\nThe manner in which this situation is being handled does not inspire much enthusiasm or motivation for theme developers to submit their creations to the directory. If this trend persists, many developers might choose to self-host and distribute their own themes independently, making the theme directory increasingly scarce when it comes to Block Themes.",
"content_text": "Mike McAlister may have acted hastily by announcing his theme's inclusion in the WordPress directory before actually submitting it and considering the possibility of its rejection.\n\nI have developed a block theme called S\u00e9ance, which delves into the history of the Fox sisters. Given its distinctive content, I am unsure if the Themes team would easily accept it into the directory.\n\nMy subsequent theme, Aegis, is specifically designed for academic publishing and WooCommerce, and it includes an onboarding feature. However, observing the challenges Mike McAlister is currently facing, I am hesitant to submit Aegis to the directory at this time.\n\nIt is intriguing to note that block themes with onboarding features are already present on WordPress VIP. And contrary to what some might think, these features are not added through an additional plugin. The approach taken is similar to the method Mike McAlister adopted with his theme on WordPress VIP.\n\nAs far as I am concerned, I find it ironic that a block theme which includes onboarding is facing such obstacles, especially when there are hundreds of classic themes on the Themes Directory which are laden with upsells. These upsells, in my view, seem more intrusive and aggressive towards users and are less community-friendly than a feature that aids users in rapidly setting up their site.\n\nThe manner in which this situation is being handled does not inspire much enthusiasm or motivation for theme developers to submit their creations to the directory. If this trend persists, many developers might choose to self-host and distribute their own themes independently, making the theme directory increasingly scarce when it comes to Block Themes.",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T21:30:21-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Alex de Borba",
"url": "https://alexdeborba.com/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bb2be29f446a0210a4dca820c0ee0890?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Alex de Borba",
"url": "https://alexdeborba.com/",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bb2be29f446a0210a4dca820c0ee0890?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444266",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444266",
"content_html": "In reply to Glenn.\n\nI have to agree with you; for example many features on macos and iphone started as separate apps and extensions, purchased by apple and integrated into system because they were better than the other options they had themselves, well, microsoft woudn\u2019t have windows without all those companies they bought and integrate into their suite of programs,",
"content_text": "In reply to Glenn.\n\nI have to agree with you; for example many features on macos and iphone started as separate apps and extensions, purchased by apple and integrated into system because they were better than the other options they had themselves, well, microsoft woudn\u2019t have windows without all those companies they bought and integrate into their suite of programs,",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T18:02:05-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "victor",
"url": "https:tiodesignworks.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5af60b7f728d750929297d8e249b8f0d?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "victor",
"url": "https:tiodesignworks.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5af60b7f728d750929297d8e249b8f0d?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444265",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444265",
"content_html": "I'm over all things wordpress. It's a dumpster fire for anyone other than designers with no technical skills. They should move themes and plugins like this into a platform like wix and sell subscriptions. As a developer I spend all day every day lately fixing compatibility issues between junk themes and junk plugins because of too many options and settings. I would rather build a system myself in anything other then wordpress.",
"content_text": "I'm over all things wordpress. It's a dumpster fire for anyone other than designers with no technical skills. They should move themes and plugins like this into a platform like wix and sell subscriptions. As a developer I spend all day every day lately fixing compatibility issues between junk themes and junk plugins because of too many options and settings. I would rather build a system myself in anything other then wordpress.",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T16:26:12-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Jesse",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a7586368c0102dbeb0aedebd7299d573?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Jesse",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a7586368c0102dbeb0aedebd7299d573?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444259",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444259",
"content_html": "The onboarding wizard for the Ollie theme is fantastic. It provides one of the clearest self-guiding experiences that I’ve seen in a long time.\n\nClarity is what WordPress needs right now. I’ve been working with a block theme on an offline testing server, and I honestly feel that the interface is a bit disjointed. In 6.3, it’s much better but needs work to clarify the steps that have to be taken to create a solid design.\n\nI understand that emphasis has been placed on using theme.json, which kind of turns WordPress into an object-oriented programming tool. But I’m finding it a bit difficuult to transition from setting my styles in the CSS stylesheet to setting the styles in theme.json. That transition is what has prevented me from fulling adopting block themes for production sites.",
"content_text": "The onboarding wizard for the Ollie theme is fantastic. It provides one of the clearest self-guiding experiences that I’ve seen in a long time.\n\nClarity is what WordPress needs right now. I’ve been working with a block theme on an offline testing server, and I honestly feel that the interface is a bit disjointed. In 6.3, it’s much better but needs work to clarify the steps that have to be taken to create a solid design.\n\nI understand that emphasis has been placed on using theme.json, which kind of turns WordPress into an object-oriented programming tool. But I’m finding it a bit difficuult to transition from setting my styles in the CSS stylesheet to setting the styles in theme.json. That transition is what has prevented me from fulling adopting block themes for production sites.",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T12:23:26-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Glenn",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f98a8d346850c7a88c1b011a3d7dc119?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Glenn",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f98a8d346850c7a88c1b011a3d7dc119?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444258",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444258",
"content_html": "Automattic should aquire Olliewp and make Mike the theme product lead. The wizard should be part of core.\n\nWordPress users have been slow to adopt the block editor and block themes by extension.\n\nIt\u2019s also because block themes have a discoverability disadvantage on the themes page.\n\nThey don\u2019t show up under the default \u201cordered by popularity filter\u201d until you scroll like crazy because they\u2019re mixed with classic themes with hundreds of thousands of installs, and there is no dedicated filter to order block themes by popularity manually.\n\nAs a potential block theme user you want to see which ones got traction, but you can\u2019t. Somebody who doesn\u2019t search for it wouldn\u2019t discover great themes like Frost which already have some traction thousands of installs, they get buried within the soup of theme thumbnails ordered by newest.",
"content_text": "Automattic should aquire Olliewp and make Mike the theme product lead. The wizard should be part of core.\n\nWordPress users have been slow to adopt the block editor and block themes by extension.\n\nIt\u2019s also because block themes have a discoverability disadvantage on the themes page.\n\nThey don\u2019t show up under the default \u201cordered by popularity filter\u201d until you scroll like crazy because they\u2019re mixed with classic themes with hundreds of thousands of installs, and there is no dedicated filter to order block themes by popularity manually.\n\nAs a potential block theme user you want to see which ones got traction, but you can\u2019t. Somebody who doesn\u2019t search for it wouldn\u2019t discover great themes like Frost which already have some traction thousands of installs, they get buried within the soup of theme thumbnails ordered by newest.",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T12:08:17-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Ren",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/69c917e4c25c2fe1c529dfffdcce8b95?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Ren",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/69c917e4c25c2fe1c529dfffdcce8b95?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444256",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444256",
"content_html": "My recommendation is that WP.org stand back and look at the big picture!\n\nNote: I love WP Block themes & all the great work that everyone & the teams have put into them.\n\nWP.org should except and bless, Mike\u2019s Ollie Theme and \u201cOnboarding wizard\u201d.\n\nMike is a member of the WP team (official or not), I am confident his work will not break WordPress.\n\nMike\u2019s work should be used as the Model, for WP Core Onboarding.\n\nWhen WP catches up with Mike\u2019s onboarding \u2026 maybe Mike can use Cores Onboarding Framework.",
"content_text": "My recommendation is that WP.org stand back and look at the big picture!\n\nNote: I love WP Block themes & all the great work that everyone & the teams have put into them.\n\nWP.org should except and bless, Mike\u2019s Ollie Theme and \u201cOnboarding wizard\u201d.\n\nMike is a member of the WP team (official or not), I am confident his work will not break WordPress.\n\nMike\u2019s work should be used as the Model, for WP Core Onboarding.\n\nWhen WP catches up with Mike\u2019s onboarding \u2026 maybe Mike can use Cores Onboarding Framework.",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T11:32:53-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Larry",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ed2d6f2fbc2f9b8f89d6fcad5664ca95?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Larry",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ed2d6f2fbc2f9b8f89d6fcad5664ca95?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444255",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444255",
"content_html": "Thanks for this great article, Sarah!\n\nMy 2-cents: Regardless of what the Theme Review Team does in this case, the wp.org theme repo is just one of many marketing channels \u2013 nothing more, nothing less. Like organic seo, you\u2019ll need to game the wp.org system to get ranked \u2013 And if you have to do the work to rank in the wp.org theme repo when they clearly don\u2019t want your theme in there there in this case, why not just invest that time in a different marketing channel?\n\nOn the Theme Review Team\u2019s decision to not allow an onboarding experience (a decision that flies in the face of what almost everyone I know needs when they use a new theme \u2013 an onboarding experience to create new pages/layouts quickly!), that\u2019s the Theme Review Team\u2019s decision, for better or worse. I think you have more of a chance of influencing decisions in other profit-driven marketing channels than you do of influencing the Theme Review Team, which is slow-moving in their decision-making and less-prone to outside influence compared to other channels (a function of its egalitarian philosophy in promoting people to leadership positions).",
"content_text": "Thanks for this great article, Sarah!\n\nMy 2-cents: Regardless of what the Theme Review Team does in this case, the wp.org theme repo is just one of many marketing channels \u2013 nothing more, nothing less. Like organic seo, you\u2019ll need to game the wp.org system to get ranked \u2013 And if you have to do the work to rank in the wp.org theme repo when they clearly don\u2019t want your theme in there there in this case, why not just invest that time in a different marketing channel?\n\nOn the Theme Review Team\u2019s decision to not allow an onboarding experience (a decision that flies in the face of what almost everyone I know needs when they use a new theme \u2013 an onboarding experience to create new pages/layouts quickly!), that\u2019s the Theme Review Team\u2019s decision, for better or worse. I think you have more of a chance of influencing decisions in other profit-driven marketing channels than you do of influencing the Theme Review Team, which is slow-moving in their decision-making and less-prone to outside influence compared to other channels (a function of its egalitarian philosophy in promoting people to leadership positions).",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T11:32:29-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Toby Cryns",
"url": "https://tobycryns.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6bb015a651cf984d63d9f0389de8a246?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Toby Cryns",
"url": "https://tobycryns.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6bb015a651cf984d63d9f0389de8a246?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444246",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444246",
"content_html": "Justin Tadlock\u2019s mention of the importance of code portability really highlighted for me how WordPress has gone off the rails. The way the Block Editor stores block properties in content is about as brittle and unportable as it gets! WordPress was never a true MVC framework, but along the way the core team has completely abandoned one of the web\u2019s one-time guiding principles: separation of presentation and content. I\u2019m still along for the ride with WordPress because of inertia, but I on principle it just feels like everything is wrong now, and this situation shows what a farce it has become. WordPress is huge but the project has abandoned everything that made it so.",
"content_text": "Justin Tadlock\u2019s mention of the importance of code portability really highlighted for me how WordPress has gone off the rails. The way the Block Editor stores block properties in content is about as brittle and unportable as it gets! WordPress was never a true MVC framework, but along the way the core team has completely abandoned one of the web\u2019s one-time guiding principles: separation of presentation and content. I\u2019m still along for the ride with WordPress because of inertia, but I on principle it just feels like everything is wrong now, and this situation shows what a farce it has become. WordPress is huge but the project has abandoned everything that made it so.",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T09:14:04-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Scott Anderson",
"url": "https://room34.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4d327cd4c103d340130ad2d40f902c0c?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Scott Anderson",
"url": "https://room34.com",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4d327cd4c103d340130ad2d40f902c0c?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444243",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444243",
"content_html": "An L take from the theme teame. As the twete from Mr. Anthony says, there is no shortage of low quality themes in the repository. Or plugins, for that matter (I know plugins are reviewed by a different team). Since core doesn’t have the onboarding setup in place, they should allow Ollie as a special case immediately. Perhaps even sponsor Mr. McOlliester and work with him to get a proper onboarding workflow baked into core.\n\nI recently decided to give a block theme (Twenty Twenty-Three) a go on of my archived sites. It was a headache getting it to do what I wanted, way more difficult than my current and preferred theme GeneratePress. I am not even a block editor hater, I have been using and loving the block editor for years.",
"content_text": "An L take from the theme teame. As the twete from Mr. Anthony says, there is no shortage of low quality themes in the repository. Or plugins, for that matter (I know plugins are reviewed by a different team). Since core doesn’t have the onboarding setup in place, they should allow Ollie as a special case immediately. Perhaps even sponsor Mr. McOlliester and work with him to get a proper onboarding workflow baked into core.\n\nI recently decided to give a block theme (Twenty Twenty-Three) a go on of my archived sites. It was a headache getting it to do what I wanted, way more difficult than my current and preferred theme GeneratePress. I am not even a block editor hater, I have been using and loving the block editor for years.",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T07:51:11-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "LeVonne Droiyi",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4133c97c3f214700098d4ca85d15e89e?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "LeVonne Droiyi",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4133c97c3f214700098d4ca85d15e89e?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444240",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444240",
"content_html": "After reading that Trac ticket, I would walk away. If the price of submission is stripping out a unique feature of your theme then what is the point? You\u2019ll just sink to the bottom of the pile with all of the other multipurpose themes they\u2019ve approved.\n\nWordPress.org is certainly an important piece of the distribution puzzle for plugins. But I\u2019m not so sure it\u2019s as useful for themes.",
"content_text": "After reading that Trac ticket, I would walk away. If the price of submission is stripping out a unique feature of your theme then what is the point? You\u2019ll just sink to the bottom of the pile with all of the other multipurpose themes they\u2019ve approved.\n\nWordPress.org is certainly an important piece of the distribution puzzle for plugins. But I\u2019m not so sure it\u2019s as useful for themes.",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T06:32:09-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Brian Link",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/70510f5c1c840ebd04f6df77bffa6acf?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Brian Link",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/70510f5c1c840ebd04f6df77bffa6acf?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444226",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444226",
"content_html": "Kindly, when referencing the Themes team please use the team’s correct name.\n\nMy opinion of whether the or not the feature should be in a theme or plugin is not an attack on Mike’s person nor in any way a statement that I Ollie is not a great theme. I am excited about the theme and interested in the exploration.\nBut I can not ignore the potential effects on the review system, the cost to both the review time, and frankly the mental health of the reviewers.\n\nThis article brings up one conflict. But what I don’t think that people understand -even after what happened to members of the plugin team – is that reviewers are trying to minimize and handle these type of conflicts all the time, and it is incredibly draining and leads to burn out.\nTheme reviewers are offered no conflict management training from WordPress. They are constantly facing situations where the have to weigh the interest of the individual theme developers against other interests and sometimes it isn’t going to be in the developer’s favor.\n\nThis is what I can not ignore. I don’t want the reviewers to work in an environment where these conflicts happen as often as they do, and as often as they will do if only one theme author is granted exceptions from the requirement. It will escalate, as we have seen in the past (even as documented here on the Tavern).\n\nThis article has left out several relevant parts of the discussion:\n– A proposal for a community driven, official feature plugin to solve the onboarding issues.\n– The difficulties for reviewers who do not (yet) know React, who are not familiar with the WordPress JavaScript packages and components, to help ensure that the code for the onboarding feature is secure, free from errors, and follows the requirements.\n\nIt is not the responsibility of a single theme -or plugin -developer to solve the WordPress onboarding issue.\n\nIt is not the right solution to allow an exception for one theme developer.\n\nAnd if the themes team instead wants to change the requirements so that all theme authors can create settings pages again, theres has to be a proper plan that is well thought through so that all the pitfalls and potential risks can be avoided. And that is not a discussion that should take place in an individual theme trac ticket but on the Make blog so that everyone can participate.\n\nThe article",
"content_text": "Kindly, when referencing the Themes team please use the team’s correct name.\n\nMy opinion of whether the or not the feature should be in a theme or plugin is not an attack on Mike’s person nor in any way a statement that I Ollie is not a great theme. I am excited about the theme and interested in the exploration.\nBut I can not ignore the potential effects on the review system, the cost to both the review time, and frankly the mental health of the reviewers.\n\nThis article brings up one conflict. But what I don’t think that people understand -even after what happened to members of the plugin team – is that reviewers are trying to minimize and handle these type of conflicts all the time, and it is incredibly draining and leads to burn out.\nTheme reviewers are offered no conflict management training from WordPress. They are constantly facing situations where the have to weigh the interest of the individual theme developers against other interests and sometimes it isn’t going to be in the developer’s favor.\n\nThis is what I can not ignore. I don’t want the reviewers to work in an environment where these conflicts happen as often as they do, and as often as they will do if only one theme author is granted exceptions from the requirement. It will escalate, as we have seen in the past (even as documented here on the Tavern).\n\nThis article has left out several relevant parts of the discussion:\n– A proposal for a community driven, official feature plugin to solve the onboarding issues.\n– The difficulties for reviewers who do not (yet) know React, who are not familiar with the WordPress JavaScript packages and components, to help ensure that the code for the onboarding feature is secure, free from errors, and follows the requirements.\n\nIt is not the responsibility of a single theme -or plugin -developer to solve the WordPress onboarding issue.\n\nIt is not the right solution to allow an exception for one theme developer.\n\nAnd if the themes team instead wants to change the requirements so that all theme authors can create settings pages again, theres has to be a proper plan that is well thought through so that all the pitfalls and potential risks can be avoided. And that is not a discussion that should take place in an individual theme trac ticket but on the Make blog so that everyone can participate.\n\nThe article",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T03:35:42-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Carolina",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ae602c7505df11d71c86116def15df97?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Carolina",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ae602c7505df11d71c86116def15df97?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444225",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444225",
"content_html": "It\u2019s a shame really. The on boarding experience with Ollie is the kind of transformative magic that WordPress needs. At the moment the default install is Sample page and post with the home showing the blog, not necessarily the type of site that most users intend to use. I think WordPress is missing a trick here and should be looking at Ollie and thinking, that\u2019s just what we need to include on install.",
"content_text": "It\u2019s a shame really. The on boarding experience with Ollie is the kind of transformative magic that WordPress needs. At the moment the default install is Sample page and post with the home showing the blog, not necessarily the type of site that most users intend to use. I think WordPress is missing a trick here and should be looking at Ollie and thinking, that\u2019s just what we need to include on install.",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T03:29:14-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "Stephen Vaughan",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4c6f3012ffd1d8b165d8b6144d081f6c?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "Stephen Vaughan",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4c6f3012ffd1d8b165d8b6144d081f6c?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
},
{
"id": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444220",
"url": "https://wptavern.com/ollie-theme-faces-pushback-from-wordpress-theme-review-team#comment-444220",
"content_html": "From above:\n\u201cThe setup wizard is plugin territory,\u201d UXL Themes founder and theme reviewer Andrew Starr said. \u201cWhy not make this as a plugin that would work with any block theme? A plugin could be inspiration or a nudge to improve the core experience.\u201d\n\nSorry to disturb the party but Gutenberg IS plugin territory and should have been considered as such from the beginning. To start with. Now back to the party.",
"content_text": "From above:\n\u201cThe setup wizard is plugin territory,\u201d UXL Themes founder and theme reviewer Andrew Starr said. \u201cWhy not make this as a plugin that would work with any block theme? A plugin could be inspiration or a nudge to improve the core experience.\u201d\n\nSorry to disturb the party but Gutenberg IS plugin territory and should have been considered as such from the beginning. To start with. Now back to the party.",
"date_published": "2023-09-29T02:22:57-04:00",
"authors": [
{
"name": "John",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/23779d0cabb343c05d867c49be7fd678?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
],
"author": {
"name": "John",
"url": "",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/23779d0cabb343c05d867c49be7fd678?s=512&d=retro&r=r"
}
}
]
}