Compassdesigns.net

Teaching - Web - Sailing

  • Home
  • Services

Are Joomla Templates Getting Slower

November 26, 2008 By barrie@compassdesigns.net Leave a Comment

So, here was the process.

We had a site, that had simple text based content with no images. We took 3-6 templates at random of 2008 releases, we loaded up the templates and measured two things:

  • The size of the site using Firebug
  • What line number the first line of the main body article occurred.

Here is what we found…

So what are our conclusions?

Yup, Joomla templates are getting bloated. Most of them are big and complex.

  • Tables rule. There are very few pure CSS layouts being used.
  • Hardly any source ordering. Content appears far down the page in the code. Many of the templates had some much in the head, they needed an include file to insert it all!
  • Javascript conflicts rock!
  • Released in 2006, the Simplicity template from Joomlashack broke the mold. I think its *still* the only fluid source ordered pure CSS layout template available on the web. It looks great and is almost as fast as Bolt. It was even the first Joomla template to have width switchers!
  • Yup, Bolt is the fastest template in the world… by a sneeze ๐Ÿ˜‰

Speed comes at a price. The trend towards heavier templates is because of eye candy and widgets, and they bloat them template.

Which do you prefer? Fast or complex?

If any other template producers would like to donate some templates, I’ll put them on the test site and add their results.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Skinny

I am an entrepreneur, web consultant, author and educator.

I have been involved in starting a K-12 School District, a Private High School, and three web tech companies. I also wrote one of the original and best selling books on Joomla.

And I like sailing with kids.

Recent Posts

  • Teenager Invents New Type of Hunting Camo Suit
  • A Parent’s Guide to Proficiency Based Learning
  • Proficiency/Competency Based Learning in NGSS Classrooms
  • Hunting Camouflage Website Launched
  • Get More Email Newsletter Signups With These Easy Tips
  • Proficiency Based Learning Resources
  • Social Media Redux
  • How to turn off WordPress Comments if you use Disqus
  • The API was Yesterday. The Tomorrow is iPaaS
  • Left Hook Digital Named Zapier’s First Integration Developer Partner

Top Posts

  • What Exactly is Standards-Based Teaching and Learning
  • USCG vs SOLAS Flares for Offshore Sailing

Blogroll

See3D Camo

Blaze Orange Camo

Vermont CPR

Copyright © 2023 Compass Designs ยท Musings on Education, Life, Joomla and the Web by Barrie North