[SOLVED] Getting Rid of Bootstrap

In previous versions of CB, there were other templates besides bootstrap like 'luna', 'dark', etc. In CB 2.x, they've been removed.

I like to believe that no one in the development world HATES bootstrap more than I do. I could write pages and pages on how crappy twatter bootstrap is. But, don't worry, I won't. I'll do that on my own site haha.

Anyway, I've found that if I pull the templates out of the older version of CB, change the version number in the .xml file, and zip it up... it installs fine. Will this cause me any issues that you know of? I'm wondering if there's any reason you've removed these templates.

Actually, I realized that's not working. It's still using the Bootstrap template. yuk. Anything you can suggest that I do to get away from this? There's nothing worse when developing and running into issue after issue customizing the template because of bootstrap. I've created a custom template, but it's still using Bootstrap. Makes for a very difficult custom design.

Thanks!

You won't get rid of Bootstrap. We use its classes and HTML structure. If you remap your own CSS to the same classes sure, but at that point you're just customizing Bootstrap which the below tools can significantly help you with.

bootstrap-live-customizer.com/
bootswatchr.com/

The other templates were removed, because they were no longer compatible and didn't have the time to rewrite all of the templates. Instead we'll eventually have a plugin that just lets you generate your own CB template with whatever colors you want (I've moved this project up on my TODO list).

The major complaints regarding Bootstrap are as follows.

1. Lack of semantics
A. I agree, but how do you use semantics in a generic framework? We've addressed this by adding our own semantic classes to elements. We try to always do this. In addition to that Bootstrap provides you with LESS and SASS. There's nothing stopping you from remapping that CSS to your own semantic classes.

2. Conflicting and bloated JS
A. Completely agree with this and is why we don't use its JS.

3. Every site looks the same!
A. I agree, but it's not Bootstrap at fault. It's lazy developers. Bootstrap can be VERY extensively customized with as little work as modifying the variable file, but the best approach is role your own theme (see the theme included with Bootstrap as an example).

4. Size
A. File size is a bit heavy, but with todays internet? Not a problem IMO.

Personally am looking forward to B4 and upgrading CB for it.

The effort you've put into this issue is much appreciated, Kyle. I'll check out the resources you've provided and look forward to the future template functionality.

We need to at some point provide the LESS files for our template to make it easier for developers to generate new CB templates, but was trying to hold off for Bootstrap 4 as I'll be updating all our LESS to SASS at that point. If you need the LESS files though please let me know and will discuss internally about going ahead and releasing them.

Thank you for that. I think I can work with what's there. I've managed to make it look good enough for launch. It looks like I'll be on a retainer for this site, so maybe once design is more important than functionality I might need an increased ability to change things. But, for now, I think it looks fine.