Quick-Loading Joomla Template: Usability

Posted on 15. Mar, 2009 by Rick in Templates

http://www.vimeo.com/3701212

Now Free!

After a long hiatus, I am finally releasing a Joomla 1.5 template! This template is the representation of how I feel a Joomla template should be:

(1) Specific to a type of use
(2) Simple
(3) fast loading

Thus I call this template “Usability”! There aren’t many bells and whistles. You should have the freedom to decide what javascript library to use, what modules and special effects to include in your site (and there’s plenty of extensions out there to build upon this design!), so I made sure this template doesn’t get in the way.

An HTML version comes with it too!

Want to see it? Check out the demo and simple template instructions

To be fair, I did include jQuery for a user requested feature (which was implemented at the last second). However, I have enabled the jQuery “NoConflict” mode so it won’t interfere with any other scripts you are currently running. Don’t want to load the library at all? No problem! Just turn it off in the template parameters and you’re all set.

Template Features

Speed

This template is really fast. There’s a minimal use of images, a nicely spliced CSS file, and really no 3rd party scripts to slow things down.

Support

What’s so cool about that? Integrated into the template administration area is BiD’s getSatisfaction support area! What does that mean? You can issue a support ticket now right from your Joomla administration. You don’t even have to visit this site again! From the template manager you’ll also have access to the latest BiD news, keeping you up-to-date on template updates, new releases, support tickets, etc. Cool eh?

Styling

There are a handful of module styles to choose from and easy-to-use template parameters in the Template Manager (so you can toggle stuff you want…like the color of the template). There are 3 colors to choose from.

Standards

Everything validates. Ok, so maybe that’s not really a ‘feature’ but I thought I’d mention it anyway. The CSS code is commented and uses my own, modified version of the Blueprint CSS framework.

Want to see it? Check out the demo and simple template instructions

Included is the Joomla 1.5 template, an HTML version, and a layered PSD

->Download the template now

Tags: joomla template, usability