Question: Can I use XYZ framework?
Answer: The contest skin has been designed to be generic and minimal but it can be manipulated with JavaScript to match the needs of any framework. Alternatively, you could rename the classes in the framework to match the code on the page.
Question: Why didn't you use HTML5?
Answer: While DotNetNuke can work with HTML5 now, the specification was still in draft during the formation of the contest. To make this contest relevant to current live sites, it had to target a minimum of Internet Explorer 8. While IE8 can support HTML5 with add-ons, we didn't want to shift the focus too much from the pure design aspects. Perhaps next year, when IE9 is released and the HTML5 specification is finalized, we will run the contest again to showcase those new features.
Question: How can I used JavaScript libraries and plug-ins?
Answer: There are two ways to include JavaScript:
- Paste the code directly in the
script.js file in your submission. Any code at the top will be available for the functions at the bottom.
- Include a file in your assets folder and use the
page Info.assetsUrl variable to insert on the page.
An example of both methods has been used in the sample theme.
Question: What JavaScript is included in the skin by default?
Answer: the following is available for use: jQuery, Cufon-yui and PIE. PIE.htc can be reference in the style sheet at behavior: url(/assets/PIE.htc)
Question: Why no off-site files?
Answer: we have no problem with third party plug-ins and libraries but off-site files represent a security risk and lack of content control.
Question: What are the funny classes on the body tag?
Answer: The one non-DotNetNuke addition to this site is the 40 Fingers Style Helper skin object. This tool adds these classes to the body so that you can target CSS to specific content like individual pages. See this blog post for more information.
Question: How can I participate?
Answer: Start by downloading the contest package. you have two options for how you would like to work on the design:
- The contest site can be instructed to use any theme folder your browser has access to. This includes localhost or another site. To use this feature, add the following to the URL:
?themeUrl=[absolute path to your theme folder]. From that point forward, the site will use the CSS and JS files found in that folder.
- Use the static HTML files included in the package. This method will not contain an accurate theme path in JavaScript so you will have to update this before submitting
Once finished, zip up your named theme folder including: info.txt, preview.png, script.js stylesheet.js and any folders of image or other assets. Send this file to DesignChallenge2011@dotnetnuke.com
Important: submissions lacking info.txt, preview.png and stylesheet.css will not be eligible. Use of all other files are encouraged but optional