Do you use templates? If so, how?

Freeway
1

Hi all

With the opening of the Freeway Marketplace, now seems like a good time to bring up the topic of templates. Personally, apart from Backdraft, I’ve never really bothered with them for Freeway, preferring to build my sites from scratch.

I’m wondering how other FW users approach new projects. Do you have some sort of template you begin from, or do you start from zero? Are the templates you use elaborate or simple? What aspects of the design process do you find benefit most from the use of templates? It be interesting to hear everyone’s thoughts.

Derek

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

2

Just received an e-mail about the new Freeway Marketplace. Looks like a nice start!

However, although the templates are supposed to be designed with flexible layouts, be aware that they are not truly mobile-friendly. Template content does not reformat itself for happy viewing on a phone, nor are some of the font choices ideal at small sizes.

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

3

On 16 May 2014, 5:40 pm, Bob Baglow wrote:
… although the templates are supposed to be designed with flexible layouts …

Said who exactly?

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

4

It’s on the marketing page on the Softpress site.

FLEXIBLE LAYOUT

The layout automatically expands and contracts to fit the browser window, making it look great wherever it’s viewed.

Walter

On May 18, 2014, at 6:09 PM, Richard van Heukelum wrote:

On 16 May 2014, 5:40 pm, Bob Baglow wrote:
… although the templates are supposed to be designed with flexible layouts …

Said who exactly?

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

5

The only template I’ve used is Backdraft, but I may purchase Softpress’s templates, if nothing more than to see if I’m following best practices when using Freeway Pro.

And yes, I’m assuming the Softpress staff are experts when it comes to using their own software. :slight_smile:

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

6

On 18 May 2014, 10:09 pm, Richard van Heukelum wrote:

On 16 May 2014, 5:40 pm, Bob Baglow wrote:
… although the templates are supposed to be designed with flexible layouts …

Said who exactly?

Bob is right. Their marketing copy for most template states this. I have noted issues with the flexible menus sliding under the template name at the top left, so that should definitely be fixed.

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

7

Raven, I’ve often thought of purchasing templates for just that reason.

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

8

I start from scratch, but going forward would welcome RESPONSIVE templates for clients who want something nice and professional, but have tight budgets. I think the new templates are vey nice, but I truly believe SoftPress should be focusing their energy on creating responsive templates (and making FWP more “natively” responsive, in general) in order to remain competitive. They are missing the boat here. Most of their new templates look like they can probably be worked into BackDraft…I’d buy them in a flash if they were provided that way.

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

9

Agreed. For me, responsiveness is a much higher priority than templates.

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

10

… then start to learn the basics, cause once SP will offer a dynamic workspace and then you’ll need the knowledge on how to place a HTML-item (let’s call it then DIV) relative.

Since years, the community is demonizing BoxInBox-Model cause it is allegedly “code-knowledge” required. And now the exactly same community is dealing with templates based on this?

C’mon - stop this “I need responsive” blah-blah and start to study the requirements for getting dynamic constructions. The basics are all available since decades.

One that knows about BoxInBox-Model doesn’t need a template (he builds his own within minutes) and those who doesn’t won’t be able to really adjust it to their needs - and now?

Cheers

Thomas

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

11

Um, I am learning the code side of things. Which by the way also makes me want easier ways to edit the code from Freeway. And who’s complaining the box-model here? As I mentioned above, up to now, I’ve preferred to build my sites from scratch, and I primarily use the box-model.

So if, as you say, Thomas, experienced FW users build their templates in minutes, who are SP aiming their templates at? Just the Express users?

And yeah, I do want a nice friendly workspace in which to build responsive sites. Something that speeds up my workflow. Freeway already does this in many different areas, so I fail to see why responsiveness, at least in theory, shouldn’t be added to the mix. Caleb has done an awesome job with Backdraft, but it would be great to see SP implement other responsive features directly into the app.

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

12

I always find that templates never really work that well when used as part of a ‘family’ of products. That is, when keeping to a corporate theme, as I have to do with all my clients. I find them too restrictive to adapt.

If all the client (or yourself) needs is a basic website that looks half decent as is fundamentally well built, then the FW templates are an excellent choice, as well as cost effective.

I quite enjoy designing and building my own site so I can make them ‘just so’ down to the last pixel and match perfectly with other media I’m producing at the time. I’m always a little put off not knowing exactly HOW the template is built without dissecting it too, but that’s just my inquisitive mind…

Like Raven said though, I’ve also noticed a few quirks with their templates when reduced down small but I’m sure they’ll sort them soon.

Personally, I really wouldn’t get that hung up on responsive, responsive, responsive… there’s so much more to good design than just a flashy reactive site. What we all learn’t at college never goes away…

Neil.

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

13

On 20 May 2014, 9:06 am, derekzinger wrote:

Um, I am learning the code side of things. Which by the way also makes me want easier ways to edit the code from Freeway.

Excellent and agreed

And who’s complaining the box-model here? As I mentioned above, up to now, I’ve preferred to build my sites from scratch, and I primarily use the box-model.

Nobody - but “responsive” is complained all over the place and without the one, the other won’t be reachable ever. And if you can deal with inflow-items, why not start to play with @media breakpoints?

So if, as you say, Thomas, experienced FW users build their templates in minutes, who are SP aiming their templates at? Just the Express users?

No - cause Express can’t handle relative positioned items. But there are way more people here on board (not in this list here) that could be the target ( the “I’ve been chosen Freeway cause I don’t want to deal with code” audience). I’m looking forward how they try to adjust the templates with their table-drop-and-drag I have to move items all over the place philosophy.

And yeah, I do want a nice friendly workspace in which to build responsive sites. Something that speeds up my workflow. Freeway already does this in many different areas, so I fail to see why responsiveness, at least in theory, shouldn’t be added to the mix.

As well agreed here. But responsive means decisions prepared now and adjusted later. And for this we need as I already said a dynamic workspace and relative propositioned items.

Caleb has done an awesome job with Backdraft,

Doubtless

but it would be great to see SP implement other responsive features directly into the app.

We don’t need responsive features on first place, but features help us to quicker adjust things such as a small, small code-editor like surrounding for ALL mark-up places.

… and way more in mind.

Cheers

Thomas

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

14

NIce points, Neil.

Personally, I very much see the value in responsiveness, and don’t consider it at all flashy, but rather extremely functional.

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

15

… yeahh - and forgot to mention the most important point:

Backdraft is more to be seen as framework then as a template. This is excellent cause you can use (and choose) modules and mix (and style) them up to your liking.

A template is “static” and hard to sell in a market where WebDesign (static) turned into FrontEnd developing (dynamic).

The new approaches are construction, content, function and performance.

Cheers

Thomas

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

16

I ditto everything derekzinger wrote in his posts. I use only box model now and am altering code and/or custom-coding more and more. Responsive formatted sites are expected now and professional web designers would be doing their clients a disservice if they didn’t at least offer this option to them (except in rare cases where the marketing objective dictates that a non-responsive format is better suited.)

I shared my thoughts with SoftPress on their blog awhile back about ramping up their responsive integration and they agreed it’s the way to go, but did not expand upon it, as they are secretive about their plans.

I’m currently redesigning my own site in responsive format, as I have to be shoemaker with shoes.

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

17

Along the lines of both Thomas and ghrider, I’m thinking that there will be others like myself who learn web design via Freeway and who would be up for a way to more efficiently deal with code (especially css) via the FW interface.

In this sense, the coding options might be part of what would differentiate Pro and Express. Don’t want to touch code? Express. Want WYSIWYG with the option to easily dig around? Pro.

Derek

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

18

And as ghrider said, responsive is not really an extra these days, as more and more people are accessing the web via phones and tablets. A site that displays well on all media simply gives a better impression than one that doesn’t, and we need to be able to offer that to our clients.

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

19

Did you guys ever thought about taking your time and watch some video screencasts how I do inline and responsive?

It’s just meant as kick-starter, giving you the gist on doing BoxInBox Model (refreshing) and a lil bit of responsiveness.

Unfortunately, my lounge is expensive (8 bucks for 3 month/20 bucks a year) - but if you have already purchased backdraft, you should have even a coupon for free 7 days to join. Caleb and me are trying our best to strengthen the community on both ways - just doing it (backdraft) or just learning it (screencasts).

http://www.kimmich-digitalmedia.com

In the video section (which is free) there is even a small series of integrating a Freeway generated project into a WordPress (my real answer for “using templates and if so how” by the way).

Cheers

Thomas

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

20

I am a very keen subscriber of your vid-casts, Thomas. Highly informative and recommended. I have also purchased the templates. As mentioned previously, there are some issues with them (a few of them are a little too similar). But, overall, I find them another way of learning how certain things are done and find it useful to have an actual file to play with.

I am not a full time web designer, I specialise in print with Quark and Illustrator - and so have little time to learn everything. So, I pick up information where I find it - that might be here, the vid-casts or even templates. It’s all education.

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options