Kirby Junior child theme
I’ve stuck with the same design for just over a year here on this blog, which is the longest I’ve ever kept a single design.
And, to be honest, I haven’t been too motivated in updating it.
But, that all changed when I saw the first version of Ian Stewart’s Kirby theme posted via Twitter.
I liked the clean design and the large, yet elegant, typography. It at least motivated me enough to start using the design from the Kirby theme here on my blog.
I don’t mind using other people’s designs, but it’s tough for me to use other code. Pretty much anything I do has to run on top of the Hybrid theme. So, I set out to make Kirby a child theme of Hybrid.
I’m now using the Kirby Junior child theme on this site.
A new default WordPress theme
The point of this post isn’t to talk about how I’m using the theme on this site, but to make note that I’d love for Kirby to be the new default WordPress theme. On the ThemeShaper blog, Ian has a fairly lengthy post on why it should be the default theme.
I’ve never liked Kubrick (current default theme) enough to run on my blog. Kirby is a theme that I’d actually use on my personal blog, which is something I don’t say often about other people’s themes.
My notes on the Kirby theme
While I am using just the design here on my blog, I did spend some time sifting through the theme code. Overall, it’s solid. These are some of my notes on version 0.3 of the Kirby theme. Let’s hope Ian can make use of these.
- Integrate post images/thumbnails. So many people use some sort of thumbnail setup these days, that it may as well be added.
- Add a default
taxonomy.phpfile to handle custom taxonomies. - A
searchform.phpfile is needed for users that add a search form to their site. - I’m not a fan of the several
if/elsestatements in the header for the<title>element. These could less-messily be done from the theme’s functions file. - The comment reply script should be added through
functions.phpand only active if a user is using threaded comments. - Users shouldn’t be required to use a custom field to turn on comments for pages. There’s an admin option for this on the page editor screen.
- Template code cleanup. I’d like to see a better indentation system in place to help users understand what’s happening.
These are my personal ideas for the theme. Feel free to disagree. And, please offer your suggestions and thoughts on the Kirby theme post.
Or, if you have alternate ideas for what the default WordPress theme should be, share your opinion.
Please note that the design you see here on my site isn’t a completely accurate representation of the Kirby theme. The version I’m using has several modifications. I highly suggest checking out the actual theme to get a feel for how it works.
The design is fine. However I think the underlying code is way too complex.
This is a default theme, not a theme framework, yet there’s a lot of complex PHP going on under the hood. Sure, the PHP is not THAT complex, but it’s still far more complex than a basic theme can be.
Kubrick is also too complex IMO. There’s a lot of extra junk under the hood which I don’t think should have been added to it.
A simple, raw, non-complex theme with a simple widgetized sidebar area would suffice IMO. There is no need for all the extra PHP code placed into the functions.php file as it will just confuse noob users.
KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid.
If someone wants complex framework style functionality, they can upgrade to Hybrid, Thematic or any other framework style system. I don’t think this is a good idea for a core theme.
Your right, it does seem rather complex when you dig into the code. If I were new to WordPress I’d be scared off by some of the details in there.
I think the default theme should be a variant of the K2 theme with cleaned up modernised code that has been really well commented.
It shouldn’t have any advanced theme options and only a single widget area.
This way it won’t scare off new users and hopefully encourage them to learn how to modify their own themes.
And here I thought it was simple! Though in Kubrick’s defense for a complex Theme it’s probably the most modified.
I’d appreciate pointers as to where it could be simplified more. Thanks!
this is a great theme!!
@Ryan & mkjones- I really didn’t find all that much complexity in the Kirby Theme – It defines very few of it’s own functions and uses mostly core functions to present data. Granted, a few declarations of global variables could be condensed, and some logical structures could be converted into functions but other than that I feel like Kirby is pretty simple to understand.
@Ryan RE “There is no need for all the extra PHP code placed into the functions.php file as it will just confuse noob users.”
Actually, all that code provides some pretty awesome functionality: Custom Header Image, Widgetized Areas, Custom Theme option page and some shortcodes. I feel that these additions are pretty cool and will be welcome by users who never even see this code.
I agree about Kubrick.
I don’t get why it has so much junk in it, functions, etc.
Wordpress should come with two themes. one that is nice looking and you can upload an image for the header and one that is bar bones and commented heavily for developers.
I don’t really see anything that’s too complex. There’s a few things I’d throw out, such as the
cats_meow()andtag_ur_it()functions. Outside of that, I’d heavily comment anything in thefunctions.phpfile, maybe even add a header comment block at the top of the file explaining what it’s for.A simple (In appearance), and simply-coded theme is a great way to introduce new developers to Wordpress. Not sure if this has been discussed already, but why not ship with two themes – one that is bare-bones (At least from a code point of view), and another that uses most of the features available (post-thumbnails? Comment meta? User-meta?) so that developers have got a reference point for what’s available.
I don’t have a preference as to which should be the default activated theme …
I could get on board with the bare-bones and feature-filled dual threat idea.
I was just looking Kirby yesterday – great to see a Hybrid version. Any chance of it being released to the public?
I’ll have to think about it. If Ian is okay with the idea, I’d consider it.
I’m okay with the idea. Consider away!
Hi Justin,
Nice theme. As Ian is okay with the idea, when are you releasing it for public? I am eagerly waiting for it
I said I’d consider it if he’s okay with the idea. I haven’t decided whether I’ll do it. However, I am thinking about it.
I’ll probably throw it up as an idea in my ideas forum, and see if there’s enough interest.
I’m just happy that you chose an appropriate Thumbnail for the post.
Thanks for the tips, Justin.
I thought you might appreciate that.
wow. that’s hawt.
Brilliant! It’s wonderful to be able to see two amazing theme developers building off each other this way, with the community chiming in to collaborate!
As far as simplicity v. complexity, my own take is that we need to pay attention to how end users can move from a basic understanding of WordPress to a fuller understanding as easily, quickly, and independently as possible. In terms of default themes, this might mean constructing a pair of themes in which the second is an elaborated version of a simple original (taking Lee’s suggestion), as long as there are comments in the code to indicate how the more elaborate features were added. This doesn’t mean the comments would need to be verbose (tutorials can take care of that) — just enough to highlight the correspondences between the bare-bones & more fully-featured themes, so new learners don’t get lost when moving between them.
Well, I’m a fan of Ian’s work, so that made it pretty easy.
As far as two themes go, I can see that idea having some potential.
Thanks Ian for making this wonderful new standard.
One vote from me to make it the new WordPress default theme.
and Thanks to Justin for making this a Hybrid’s Child Theme.
( Hybrid fan is getting bigger and bigger.)
I’m glad you like both Kirby and Hybrid.
Congrats to the new design and incorporation of Ian’s new theme. I like it.
I’m hoping I can change designs a few times this year. I’ve been a bit too lazy about it in the last couple of years.
I just installed the Hybrid theme on my blog, and have been pleased with it. The Kirby Junior theme might be fun to play with. Man, I need more time in the day haha. Nice work!
I’m happy you’re liking Hybrid. It definitely lends itself to all sorts of different things, like making Kirby Junior.
I just install it now the hybrid theme. I will explore and read more regarding this.
Sharing this is the most amazing thing happened to my blog. Thank you for sharing this.
Hybrid is a cool theme. Check out the tutorials on its site. There’s loads of things you can do.
nice theme, will try it soon in my blog.
greetings, nepovratna eu sredstva
I’m sure Ian will be happy to hear that you’re trying out his theme.
I sure like the new theme by Ian and your interpretation Justin. But I think it would be nice if you also highlighted your own answers like Ian does in Kirby.
Why you might ask. Well I almost always use them to navigate by, when returning to a post. I don’t necessarily feel like reading all the comments. So I often find myself seeing what you reply with, and from that evaluate if the comment is worth reading.
It’s on the agenda. I think it’ll be especially helpful now that I’ve turned on nested comments.
Hi Justin, Please help me to noindex author comments links in hybrid… i give up, i tried many ways and plugins but no one works
Please stop by Hybrid’s support forum. Someone will help you out there.
I’m on the fence for this one. I can appreciate the simplicity of Kirby, but I also think it lacks the pizzazz of other themes. But I’d say give it a shot for a while and see how it goes. If it gets too boring, switch to something livelier.
See, I would totally disagree there. I think Kirby has more pizzazz than most other themes.
Why do you think so Justin. I agree more with Yo momma?
greetings, nagradne igre
I mostly think so just because I’ve looked at this theme and 1,000s of other themes.
I’ve thought for quite a while that Ian’s work was a nice compliment to your own. Whereas, Ian’s work is very strong in the typography and visual design arena, you, Justin, are a master at exploiting and refactoring Wordpress features into a malleable environment which can be programatically modified.
I’d like to see a merger…Thematic and Hybrid (or is it Hybrid and Thematic?)
And I take my hat off to you for being sufficiently objective that you can support and promote the work of others that way. You’re a good man. Noble, even.
The theme looks awesome, and testing it right now, I just wanted to have those post thumbnails in your home page
hehe Justin, i belive you, i will take a closer look at this theme
greetings, nagradne igre
just looking at the theme it looks pretty aesthetically pleasing. However I would be curious to see how well it does with adsense. I like the really clean, and easy to read feel but being an adsense blogger I’d llike to know if it’s pleasing from a profitability standpoint.
I was taking a look at http://wordpressfoundation.org/ and it kind of felt familiar…
My design also needs a change…shall try out Kirby
Whell, i tried kirby and im impressed… thanks
I really think that the Kirby theme should be the default WordPress theme. It’s much more intuitive and an overall better UI.
The theme looks awesome. Did you care user usability and accessibility? Conrats for design.