Great post

Until the definition of what “sponsored” means is clearly established, grouping all Themes together with more than one link to the author is a little out of control.

Still, the discussion was put before the public for many months before a decision was made. Now the policy is being written, which will include the definitions, and WordPress users will continue to come first for protection from dozens of links, ad links, javascripts which influence pagerank and advertising revenue, and other more “nasty” things that have appeared in WordPress Themes.

GPL WordPress Themes are great portfolio examples of what a designer can do, so they should offer the designer a way to promote their wares. I know several web designers who call themselves that on their business cards because they got exposure through WordPress Themes. That’s wonderful.

As for the reference “high ground”, while there are a thousand ways of titling that post, I’m rather intrigued with the way so many have put “so much” on the words. For me, it meant that Weblog Tools Collection had made a decision in line with their standards and moral value. I have no problem with that and live the “high ground” on my blog daily, to that definition.

It takes a lot of courage to stand up for your rights. Not arrogance, self-righteousness, ego, or any of the other words I’ve seen used. Walking the high ground keeps you out of the dangers such as flash flood waters and safe on the path of your life – that’s what I was raised with in Native American Indian country. We need more bloggers and everyone taking the high ground.

Who is to blame Matt for the “elitist” attitude?

We and only we. If I gave you more than necessary importance, wouldn’t it be natural for you to have an exulted superiority complex? Besides Matt is a young achiever, most of us can’t do what he’s done in a lifetime. So, it’s expected.

Tell me how many of us dare to say things like it is. I’m not talking about Shoemoney or BloggingPro, I’m talking about our regular theme contributors. Most users are shit scared of him, leave a few exceptions.

I’m not justifying his “elitist” attitude, however we should also learn to command respect. You must have heard this one: No one can insult you without your own permission.

When you’re in a spot, you can say “But sponsored themes, blah blah blah”. It’s become more of a defense mechanism for being evasive about all other issues and cover-up loopholes within the system.

It will be nice to see all frustration out though once and for all instead of continuing with the saga month after month.

What I propose is this:

Good designers (sponsored and non-sponsored both) should unite and start their own site, while they can continue to upload themes on all other theme distribution sites. It’s the quality of the theme that is important, footers are secondary. Users do not care as much about footers as much as they care about an easily customizable theme of their choice for which they could get support, and while we continue our debate, our users are smarter not to participate in this petty fight and know well how to customize their own footers too!

Some believe that a site with the highest traffic is the only way to go. Temporarily yes, but not necessarily in the long run. I see it this way, traffic is not built in a day and it’s we who collectively make a site big or small.

@ Jacob,

I seriously doubt if Matt will let go of such a huge traffic so easily, I’m sure he would find an ethical way out to let themes back in (or is it already done yet:)) Let’s not underestimate our 23 year old genius! He sure knows how to get things done his way, and thanks to our whole big army of ass-kissers who make the task rather easy!

Regardless, we hope to submit our 90+ themes on your site soon. Let’s see how it goes!

Personally, I don’t like hidden difficult to remove links in a free theme, but have nothing against someone that releases a theme with clearly visible easy to remove links. Matter of fact, to release a theme and clearly state that it is made free due to the contributions of these sponsors (then insert the links) is completely fair in my opinion (I elaborated on that point over at my blog this morning).

All in all I appreciated hearing your view on this matter and am impressed with what I have read on this debate thus far. Everyone has been pretty professional regardless of their position. That approach leads to a much better debate.

I do agree with the fact that there’s only a minority of “sponsored themes” out there that really are not 5 minute designs and it’s a pity that some stuff too many links in the footer.

Jim – that’s an interesting idea. Themes

Ash – that’s the problem, 5 minute themes

Matt – thanks for stopping by, I completely agree we’re in the minority. I just think the community would have been a little better served with more leniency from you and that guy who runs WLTC. Then also you wouldn’t have a large amount of people drawing a line and stepping on one side or the other.

Im fairly new in blogging, but i use for some years Joomla/Mambo Cms for my sites.

The GPL templates and specialy the good ones give great value to the aplications, users with no design knowledge or recources to hire a design company support on this themes and in the end the ability to customise the aplication its very important wen making a decision betwen one or another app.

Developers, and specialy design firms have allways used this not only to promote and share they’r work but also, off corse to get some links back and rank.

I think that the sponsoring think is good, speacialy wen the final work is a good one.
Off course that the reverse of the coin, spam links, its a think to avoid, but the suggestion you made its more than enough.

What comes next? Ban links in comments?

I honnestly prefer to see in the future the same sponsored principle aplyed in plugins, that way we may had more professional and even better and more profesional plugins lauched.

My 2 cents.. (Sorry the bad English)

RuiGato (from portugal)

1) The theme must be VERY good.
2) I don’t like links in the footer. By law, there’s nothing anyone can do to force someone to keep them there (I’ve checked into it). So themers need to be more flexible and realistic. I would be more than happy to put the links on the ‘about’ page or a ‘colophone’ type of page – which I’ve found gets a surprising amount of traffic. There are just so many other options other than force feeding a half dozen links to poker sites and whatnot onto my homepage.

One more vote pro decent themes. Sponsored or not, (harsh) support from me over at Wisdump.

Continue! Your themes rock!
And if… we’ll just create a new themes directory.