News

• New template framework
  

  Today we introduce our new framework called ‘Warp’. So whats this all about? First of all since the beginning every YOOtheme template design is based on a framework. A framework provides a powerful layer you can develop a new template upon which uses all the features like CSS/JavaScript compression and JavaScript effects to create richer user experience. Overall using a framework makes it easier to create great templates which simply work in a cross-browser environment. Also our Warp template framework evolves over time because we constantly apply updates, add enhancements or introduce new features. Finally we think it’s important for you guys to know that each YOOtheme template is more than just a design because there’s also a lot of stuff happening inside. Further the template framework helps anyone who extends and customizes a YOOtheme template to create a individual website for a small or even large webproject.

  Also with our framework we are pioneers on some trends for Joomla templates. For example: Tableless CSS design since January 07, the introduction of YOOtools in January 08, combining CSS and JavaScript in a single file with gzip compression also since January 08 and module templates since June 08.

  This is a brief history of milestones of our template framework:

  1. First version (starting January 07):

  • Tableless design which validates to XHTML & CSS
  • Flexible left column which can be left or right aligned
  • Font- and a JavaScript-based width styleswitcher
  • Complex menu system with split functionality, icons and active item detection
  • JavaScript menus like accordion, slider, tab and fancy menu
  • Morphing effects as well as lightboxes and reflections
  • Display widgets like top panel, slider and carousel
  • PNG fix for IE6

  2. Second version (starting January 08):

  • Removed hard-coded display widgets of the template to make them flexible and template independent: invention of the famous YOOtools (YOOaccordion, YOOslider, YOOcarousel, YOOdrawer, YOOscroller and many more)
  • Delivering CSS and JavaScript files, each merged in one file with gzip compression
  • Improved menu system to provide any kind of effects for the main menu
  • Added a smooth animated drop down menu
  • Optimized and cleaned up CSS & HTML framework

  3. Third version (starting June 08):

  • Usage of new Joomla 1.5 templating features
  • New module system to provide optimized templates for each module type
  • Usage of module class suffix to apply module and badge styles
  • Development of many module templates which are independent of the background
  • Different module proportions for each module position
  • Ajax-based search results

  4. Fourth version (starting January 09):

  • Tableless template overrides for all Joomla core components
  • Implementation of a new IE6 PNG fix
  • Improved module templates (based on the new possibilities of the IE6 PNG fix)
  • Optimized and cleaned up CSS & HTML framework

  So many of you may think: What’s next? Yes, Warp5!

  Warp5 Template Framework

  All new YOOtheme template starting with July 09 will be based on the completely re-engineered Warp5 framework. We re-wrote the complete CSS/HTML and PHP. The bar is quite high, but we came up with a couple of things that’d be cool to implement in Joomla templates. Here are a few key features:

  • Completely new CSS and HTML Framework
  • Awesome new menu system
  • Improved CSS and JS handling with gzip compression
  • Enhanced module system
  • and more…

  Make sure to check out the new July 09 Phoenix template which is based on the new Warp5 framework. It has a lot of new features like a new awesome multi-column dropdown menu. To get some more inside informations about the new Warp5 framework take a look here. We will post some more detailed information about the new framework in the next week.

  

• Phoenix template
  

  We are happy to announce that with our new template Phoenix we are introducing a new era in YOOtheme templating: our shiny new Warp template framework. Warp is what’s under the hood of a YOOtheme template. With Phoenix, you get a wide range of awesome new features. First of all, there is our amazing new multi-column dropdown menu, which is a true novelty for the Joomla world: You can set as many columns as you want, set the column width in the backend, display big icons for second level items … you gotta check it out yourself, it looks so cool!

  Phoenix also comes with lots of modules, some of them with color variations. Now you can also show icons in your module headers. Phoenix provides an endless supply of combinations of module styles, colors, badges and icons. The new 2-1-3 column ordering makes Phoenix super search engine friendly. The two nested 3-column-layouts makes your website amazingly flexible. And also, this is our fastest template ever, sporting a new way of CSS/JS compression and background image sprites.

  Feature list

  • Built with the new Warp template framework
  • Amazing new muti-column dropdown menu
  • Icons in module headers
  • Lots of modules with color variations, endless combinations with icons and badges possible
  • 2-1-3 column ordering for search engine friendliness
  • Our fastest template ever, using image sprites
  • Works with all YOOtools

  
  

• ZOO event in retrospect
  

  Today we want to give a brief roundup on our ZOO presentation at Hagenbeck ZOO’s Tropical Aquarium on May 27th, 2009. We know that it has already been five weeks since we had this great event but it took us some time to look through all the pictures, create the video and prepare this blog post.

  First of all, thanks everyone for coming. We were almost 40 people in the Huge Shark Atoll, and we think it was a very nice evening with a stunning atmosphere. The presentation was divided into three parts. The first one was held by Annabel, talking about the architecture and the different application purposes of the ZOO. Then, Janine talked about everything you can do in the backend of the ZOO, creating catalogs, categories, types and items. After Janine’s presentation, Sven showed what you can do with templates and overrides, how to render elements and what the different views are for. He also showed in which folders you can find all the files needed to create templates and what all of those files do, basically everything you need to know to be able to create your own templates. After the presentation, Steffan gave a lookout on which features are going to be implemented in the next ZOO versions. We will do a blog post about the upcoming features of ZOO 1.1 in the next weeks. Finally we had individual conversations about Joomla, the ZOO, YOOtheme and the daily work we all do as web developers, of which some were very inspiring.

  We recorded the whole event and created a short video for all who could not participate. Don’t forget to continue reading to see all the images. Enjoy the video impressions:

  Thanks again to everyone who was there, we hope you liked it, too, and we hope we could also give you some input and inspiration for you current and upcoming projects. We’re hoping to see you guys at the next YOOtheme event! Here you can take a look at all the pictures we took at the event:

  

• Level template
  

  Welcome “Level” the new June’09 template from YOOtheme, the overall simplistic, elegant and versatile design makes it a perfect match for your website. Level’s top and bottom module position uses a transparency effect which combined with the background image is the eye-catcher of this template.

  It’s also a perfect spot to place your product teaser or banner for example utilizing the YOOscroller module module. Level brings you 9 beautifully designed glossy module variations, which nicely integrate in your different page layouts.

  Further the template offers 12 great business style color variations you can choose from! By the way: The Level works perfectly with the ZOO extension, the versatile catalog component which includes a content construction kit!

  Feature list

  • 12 great background variations
  • 9 different module variations
  • Tableless overrides for all Joomla components
  • Smart CSS to customize Joomla components
  • Enhanced module system with flexible proportions
  • Fully sliced Fireworks .png Source files
  • Works with all YOOtools

  
  

• Last chance to join the ZOO presentation
  

  Hi there, we want to remind you that on the 27th of May we are going to present our ZOO component at the Huge Shark Atoll of the Hagebeck Zoo in Hamburg, Germany. If you want to participate, drop us a line within the next two days as we will only accept registrations until the 20th of May. The entry is free. You can find more information on the previous blog post.

  • Date: Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
  • Time: 19:00 (Central European Summer Time)
  • Location: Hagenbeck ZOO, Tropical Aquarium
  • Address: Lokstedter Grenzstraße 2, Hamburg, Germany
  • Email registration is required until May 20th, 2009
  • The presentation and discussion will be held in German language

  See you on the 27th!

  

• Motion template
  

  Everything is in motion. This month’s template Motion pays tribute to the way the world spins. It comes with beautifully designed widescreen landscape backgrounds and subtle animations.

  The landscapes you can choose from range from islands and cities to deep sea and space images. Take a closer look and discover the lovely animated sailing boats, clouds, stars, etc.

  Also, if you haven’t seen it yet, go and get the YOOtweet module we released last month. Displaying Twitter updates on your site has never been easier.

  Of course, like all our templates from 2009, Motion comes with tableless overrides and smart CSS to easily customize all Joomla components, the enhanced YOOtheme module system with flexible proportions, countless options to compose and layout your content and typography and fully sliced Fireworks .png image source files. This way, you can completely modify this template, like all our templates, to suit your needs.

  Feature list

  • 10 awesome background variations
  • 7 beautifull header illustrations
  • 12 lovely animated objects
  • Tableless overrides for all Joomla components
  • Smart CSS to customize Joomla components
  • Enhanced module system with flexible proportions
  • Fully sliced Fireworks .png Source files
  • Works with all YOOtools

  
  

• ZOO presentation in Hamburg
  

  Our newest product ZOO was well received by the Joomla community, so we think it’s time to celebrate the pleasant outcome of a year’s worth of work with you! On May 27th, 2009, we are going to have our first YOOtheme event ever: We are really excited to invite you to our ZOO presentation in Hamburg, Germany. The event will begin at 19:00 (Central European Summer Time). The rough agenda is that first we will present the power of the ZOO and its true CCK functionality and show you how everything works. We will structure the presentation to be informative for both people who haven’t used the ZOO yet and experienced developers. After the presentation we are planning on having a lively discussion amongst the participants. The presentation and discussion will be held in German. Of course, all YOOtheme developers and designers will be there. We are looking forward to meeting you!

  Exciting Location

  We chose a location with an ambience that fits the occasion perfectly. Experience a night in company of sharks roaming the reefs of the South Seas: Our presentation will take place at a tribune viewing the Huge Shark Atoll of the Hagenbeck ZOO’s Tropical Aquarium. Snap at the chance to meet fellow web developers in a stunning atmosphere!

  • Date: Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
  • Time: 19:00 (Central European Summer Time)
  • Location: Hagenbeck ZOO, Tropical Aquarium
  • Address: Lokstedter Grenzstraße 2, Hamburg, Germany
  • Email registration is required until May 20th, 2009

  The entry is free. The number of seats is limited though, so drop us an email soon. First come, first served! See you on the 27th of May!