I am writing to share some of my thoughts on DokuWiki themes. Most of the functionality is really the same, either as a wiki or as a CMS, so basically what people are looking for is a new look/design. 20ish years ago, CSS Zen Garden gained popularity, showcasing how one could change the design of the same static html file with just different css.
I was thinking maybe it would be a good approach to keep the layout (theme) and design (skin) separate, so that with just a little css magic, the same theme might look completely different. With a main theme framework (or a few) and a setting to switch skin, the styling could begin! I believe that style.ini has a lot of untapped potential. And although the Styling plugin tries to help in that regard, not many templates bother, nor can one switch between different skins.
One thing I don't miss from my days with WordPress, is all those paid themes and plugins, all basically trying to do the same thing. Discovering DokuWiki with its collaborative philosophy, is a breath of fresh air. Okay, so it's little more of a DIY approach, but hey, wiki syntax! I wouldn't mind writing css to share a new skin for DokuWiki. But it is a big step up from that to making one's own theme, despite some excellent starting points, and having to maintain it as well.
If I had the skills to back it up with action I would. I once made a framework theme from getbase.org, by just dropping in its css on top of the starter theme (I think). Easy enough. But I wanted more flexibility and options, so I switched to Bootstrap3 and was happy for a while. Then I needed faster pageload speeds and didn't mind getting my hands dirty; enter Bootie, based on Bootstrap 4, and just what I needed as a starting point.
After a couple of years using my own modified Bootie, I am super happy to see its creator making what seems to be a fresh new UI framework for DokuWiki. Still based on Bootstrap 4, but integrating its own plugins and UI elements from Bootstrap. I wonder if I can change to one of the Bootswatch skins by just replacing bootstrap.min.css...?
I'll have to test it out properly before I comment further, but for now the ComboStrap theme seems to be aiming high, and I for one hope it succeeds. It is super to have a developer working on this theme and adding functionality without cluttering it up, while retaining what is essentially Bootstrap: a fast way to prototype and build website UI.
And without any fanfare, I am also super exited how this new forum turned out! But wait, maybe I'm posting that in the wrong place. I'll have to thank Andi properly. This was supposed to be my two cents on the state of DokuWiki themes. If I said anything wrong, or if I have misunderstood how themes actually work, please forgive me.