RandomStringOfWords

WordPress and Invision Power Board theme

Jun 24

JasonDev Diary ipb, joomla, Theme, WordPress, wpmu 2 Comments

My new project requires a common theme across both WordPress (and thus WordPress MU) and Invision Power Board. No small order.

To that end I have decided to convert (or redesign) the Chromatophore Joomla theme into a combined wordpress / invision power board theme. I decided to go with this look because I very much appreciate what the folks over at RocketTheme did with the Chromatophore theme. To be honest if I were using Joomla I’d buy it, but since I’m not I must create my own.

Instead of just cutting and pasting their html, js, css, and images into an already created wordpress template I have decided to recreate the theme from what I see alone. Without looking at their source — at all.  (So far I’ve only peaked a couple times)

It’s been a challenge to be honest. One that I am up to for sure as my webdesign-foo is strong, but they have done some pretty neat kungfu hackery here that I really like. Not sure who the lead ninja was on this one, but he did a very good job. (Why do I keep referencing martial arts?) You can test my progress here;

http://info.rsow.com/projects/fffredesign/

As you can see I’m a long way off yet, but its coming along nicely. I have to get all the various bits working across the board and then try to apply it to the template system in wordpress .. then try to apply it to the even more convoluted template system in IPB. I have to admit the later one is gonna suck. I appreciate what the IPB folks were trying to do with template designs but they went WAY over board with cutting things up and making one’s life a living hell.

Also, most likely for the forum itself the left column of stuff will either have some form of minimize toggle or it will simple be hidden via css, I havent decided yet. I don’t want to crowd the forum. It’s had a full width layout for years now and shrinking it might annoy folks.

I really like how you can control all colors and what not in the Chromatophore theme and the same functionality will eventually exist in my theme.

It makes me think that there might be a market for folks who do nothing but convert themes from joomla to wordpress or to IPB.. Not a job I’m volunteering for as this is severly cutting into my game time.. but still a market all the same.