As we approach the anticipated public release of the Genesis Theme Framework, here are 5 reasons you should build your site using it. There are many more, of course, but in my opinion these are the biggest (and most significant) ones.
1) Security
We are very happy to announce that Mark Jaquith, lead developer of WordPress has been hired to run a security audit on the Genesis Theme Framework. We take our products (and your security) very seriously here at StudioPress, and want you to have full confidence that the Genesis Theme Framework is as secure as possible. What better way to ensure this, than to hire the best of the best – someone who knows WordPress code and security more intimately than anybody else. Mark can be hired at his consulting firm, Covered Web Services.
2) Post Thumbnails
Many of you are aware of the recent WordPress 2.9 release, which includes the feature to include/use post thumbnails. Currently, StudioPress “classic” themes are using an image-resizing script called TimThumb, but the Genesis Theme Framework will not be using that code and will be serving post thumbnails using the organic way WordPress includes them. While this might seem like a step back, we assure you it’s not. With the ability to create intermediate (or custom) sized thumbnails and upcoming WordPress builds that will include additional thumbnail size options on the media setting page and ultimately auto-sized thumbnailing, we feel this is the best direction to go in. While TimThumb is a great script, we are trying to keep Genesis lightweight and less dependent on 3rd party code.
3) Child Theme Marketplace
Not only does the Genesis Theme Framework have very solid code, which is secure and well-written, it will also boast a child theme marketplace. While the marketplace will initially launch as invite-only, it will provide a variety of professional designs from designers across the internet. We are very excited about this concept and this will give our community a number of designs/layouts to choose from. The child theme marketplace will also give a Genesis user the ability to change their designs, without changing the code or platform on which they’re used to. In other words, if you enjoy all of the custom widgets and features that Genesis has, you can simply redesign your site by using another child theme. Here’s some additional information regarding the marketplace which will help explain our vision.
4) Layout Options
We took it upon ourselves to assume that a user who’s working with the Genesis theme framework would want some flexibility. That’s one of the reasons why it will offer 5 6 default layout options. (An additional Full Width Content option was added after the post was written.) In addition to having 6 universal (or site-wide) layout options, we have also given users the opportunity to select any of them on an individual post/page basis, all without having to create a separate theme template. In other words, if your entire site is using the content/sidebar layout, but you want a sales page to have a full width content layout – not a problem. Its as simple as clicking a button on the write post/page screen, which you can see here.
5) Theme Updates
One of the primary focuses that Nathan and I had while in the development process was to ensure ease of use – both with day to day operations, but also with theme updates. While the current StudioPress “classic” themes have required folks to load updated versions from scratch, and meant that customizations had to be redone – the Genesis Theme Framework should end that. We have spent an enormous amount of time and energy on the parent theme, and the emphasis we made on semantics and careful naming of CSS elements should mean that most (if not all) theme updates will not affect your customizations.
About Brian Gardner
Brian, have to say, I’ve been following Studiopress for some time now and your drive for ongoing improvement and innovation is just fantastic. I can’t wait till all of this is live and ready to go, I have very high expectations of the Child Theme Marketplace and think you’re pushing all of us to another level!
Hey Polle – thanks so much, I appreciate the feedback and continued support from you. This year is really going to be exciting for us – as we’re hoping to expand what we do, and provide the very best product as possible.
+100! Thanks Brian!
I hope we will see soon StudioPress.com on Genesis!
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I thought it was already, all-be-it not the latest version, but still?
We’ll see about that one – might be a while, as the SP main site has a lot of things going on – won’t be a two minute job to port over.
I must say that it’s great to see more theme frameworks emerging. Building themes is easier with them, and allows you to concentrate on design more than before. I am also developing theme framework, and it would be interesting to compare existing frameworks once Genesis and mine framework is completed. I think there are some 10 or 12 available already.
This is amazing news Brian. We’ve been using your themes for almost 2 years.
I can’t wait to dig into Genesis.
Is February 1st still your target launch date?
Yes, the tentative release date is Feb 1.
I have so much work on the go that I cannot get to the Genesis framework as yet BUT I will get there pretty soon and boy am I looking forward to it.
Brian, Nathan and the team just keep confirming features that make it more and more of a winner for us.
Thanks Kirk – really appreciate hearing that. We’re working diligently to get this done and done well!
Totally love that you’re investing in the security of the theme – that’s above and beyond and that sets the bar for everyone else playing on the field. Kudos to you guys.
Thanks Suzanne, we really want to make an impact in the premium theme market with Genesis, and think the only way to do that properly is to do everything 110%
6) Support
Simply put, the support is superb and keeps getting better as you grow which is rare nowadays.
I like the idea, but will it be easy to edit and customize themes like we usually do in existing studiopress theme’s Style.css and .php files? Im just confused about hooks and how to use them to customize themes?
Looking forward for News theme’s version based on genesis framework, Good luck guys!
Cheers!
Absolutely, it will be the same in changing the stylesheet either with Genesis or with a child theme. As for hooks, Nathan will be writing an article on their use.
Thanks Markov.
Wow. Simply wow. Can’t wait for the launch.
Brian this is looking more and more incredible…can’t wait to see the child themes. Ending the upgrade/customization cycle will be such a welcome sight. Continue to excel!
This looks great! I guess I can wait to update my websites theme. Has this been tested with any of the ecom plug-ins?
Thanks
Hey John – thanks so much…. we haven’t tested specifically with any of the ecom plugins, but don’t forsee any issues. Once Genesis launches and we get the initial batch of child themes out there, we’ll be planning to work our way into ecom.
Well if this isn’t further proof of money well spent on the full access package, I don’t know what is. I’ve been playing around with it since it was released and must say I’ve thoroughly impressed and look forward to releasing it into the wild. I came this site knowing very little about PHP and moding the themes and have learned a tremendous amount in a very short period of time thanks to the exstensive tutorials.
If it hasn’t already been said enough… fantastic job folks!
Looks awesome Brian. Was Joost involved in the Genesis design as he was in some other themes? I am interested how this framework will perform with SEO., as that is the main selling point from another developer.
Thanks. No, Joost was not involved in the Genesis design. Only Nathan & Brian, plus a review of code by Mark Jacquith to ensure that our code had no security issues.
Thanks Brian for your continued leadership in the WordPress theme market. I for one have greatly benefited from your diligence.
Thanks for your premium work and support…
I have not involved myself yet in the Genesis framework; I’ll start today…
Is the localization done in the same way as for other themes?
Genesis looks very promising. I like the 6 layout options. Is it possible to select left side navigation instead of top navigation withing Genesis?
Congratulations again!
Jim
Hi Jim,
Yes, you would be able to add left side navigation via a widget – the top navigation can be shown or hidden.
I’m tired of having a bunch of different themes for all my websites and looking to standardize. I can do a bit of code but don’t want to. I like the ease of customization that’s built into themes like Thesis–where you can change almost everything with checks in the theme options.
Will Genesis give me the same kind of customization? How does this compare to Thesis as an example?
Have a Great Day,
Rusty
Rusty – as of right now, our child themes are coded in a way that requires CSS to be modified – unlike Thesis, which has the design options page which can be used to configure the styling.
Thanks Brian! I do like the idea of how Genesis is designed. Another plus is the focus on security—I think moving forward that’s going to be a Big Thing for all of us.
Have a Great Day,
Rusty