I've respectfully restrained this post since the first time I first saw XOOPS in 2003 and almost passed on because the look of XOOPS left me cold. It's 2006 and I've heard numerous promises and expectations that have not materialised. 3 years is enough time to get a decent theme for xoops! In case programmers have not 'got it' yet, most people are 'VISUALLY ORIENTATED' that means that what they see in the first 3 seconds counts for more intellectual understanding of hours of code innovations. Good code is essential, but there is no point in Rolls Royce engine without some style.
The XOOPS theme is the most ameaturish and unprofessional pile of crap that exists in the CMS world. It is the most un-stylish, unatractive featureless look of all all CMS pages, bar none. This is not only embarrassing, but totally unnecessary, given our vast resources. I have realised this long ago, but really seen the truth of this when browsing the news thread Launch of the XOOPS portfolio (
https://xoops.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3436) ALL of the site in this portfolio express the skill and originatilty of XOOPS in a far more imaginative way that the this old, drab dinosaur theme at xoops.org. And yet the flagship of xoops.org is still languishing in the dark ages. We occasionally change a colour here and there and make small changes to keep the populus happy, but where is the art, where is the flair, where is the innovation?!
It appears to me that the webmasters of this site are afraid of taking the step of change, not because there is nowhere to go, but because they are afraid the site (xoops.org) might break or, that they will upset some status quo with some old farts.
"So make one that really rocks Carnuke". I hear the retort. Actually I did, and so have many others that are clearly demonstareted on the Portfolio site. and also the numerous theme submission on this site. 'Do one better' is no longer a valid excuse folks. We even have an XHTML standard appearing, but my guess is that it will never happen here on XOOPS because of yet more inertia that will hold it back. Either that, or the next theme tweak will still be plagued with dreary 'fieldset' attributes, bold type and poor graphics that look like 'my first theme' .
Come on... take a risk... be daring creative and imaginative! OK, DON'T,... simply choose one of the 1000 themes that already exist from creative users which have character, style and originality and represent the power of this software. Let this fabulous CMS get a new 'dress' and represent the true potential of it's versatility and strength.
Let's not start a new discussion, or a XOOPS theme site (yawn ... been there before) let's do it, let's actually PRESS THE SUBMIT BUTTON to give XOOPS a new theme that is new, fresh and dazzeling and representative of it's awesome power in today's CMS world !
Ok, that's my rant for the last 3 years. It's been well edited, but really we are un-selling this CMS big time. If no-one has the balls to do this thing, let' be honest and let those that 'can, do the action' so that we can all move forwards.