I myself have just started working on a concept for using themes  in WebGUI and I fully agree with you. But why only the layout templates? If we standardize all the templates, that would make it possible to make themes that affect the whole site, instead of only changing a header or the color of the links or some other minor thing.

The current templates have some standardized classes (e.g. pagination, tableHeader) but they are not always used consistently. Moreover, many templates have their own css, that wil always override your stylesheet, because it is placed in the head tag.

We should in my opinion:

• remove all inline and head tag css from templates
• come up with a number of standard classes, which are used consistently in every template (like the "pagination" class, as it used now)
• remove all table layout that is used for positioning
• replace template vars that are incorrect or not working (there are a few in the coll. system template)
• come up with a set of rules for templates of new contributions (see also Arjan Widlak's email on the devlist: "The policy for contributions to the WebGUI core")

I would like to hear some opinions on this subject. Do we agree that the default templates are due for a makeover? Any other suggestions to be added to my list?

I understand that you are a WebGUI theme guru, Pedersen? What do you think?

Rogier | United Knowledge

I agree with what you're saying in premise, but do not have the resources to devote to doing the work. If a group of you would like to form a task force and start on this work I would accept it into the core. Just send packages of the templates you've modified to the dev mailing list as you get them completed.

OK, i'll start working on it. I'll start a thread in the design, templates & themes section to get some input from the community. Thanks JT.