Do programmers matter in the theming community?

**AJ 187** · 03-24-2008, 02:32 PM

In this case "programmer" is an archetype compared to the competing "artist" archetype.

I honestly want to know the answer to this. Let's call it closure.

(if you need an explanation on either or both, let me know)

Edit: programmers also include people who work on the metrics as well

Oni-91 · 03-24-2008, 03:22 PM

Of course they matter. Programmers make theming advance, and make sure the absolute maximum can be gotten out of the program. Artists only have to make the themes look nice. But, barring the large 'ITG and PROJEKT Recolour Group', not many themers spcifically stick to one type.

k⁄⁄eternal · 03-24-2008, 04:19 PM

EDIT: I'm probably misinterpreting. In any event I'd prefer if the other end of the spectrum wasn't labeled as simple recoloring, but let it be said that I think everyone appreciates what coders do, especially those who contribute to SM itself.

AceJay in bed · 03-24-2008, 04:44 PM

Hell fucking yes they do. Anyone (basically) can recolor, but it takes skills to program and make the game totally awesome and unique.

Chewphoria · 03-24-2008, 05:15 PM

Um, YEAH!

Wan · 03-24-2008, 05:22 PM

Definitely yes. As Oni-91 said, the programmers make the guidelines to make themes look nice =)

asterax · 03-24-2008, 05:33 PM

Yes, because when someone wants something to happen/have a bug fix/add a new feature/etc to a CVS build of SM (related to theming), the code will happen faster (and the coder will get faster feedback, too). Not to mention PARTICLE, that was a nice addon to XIII+.

If you are including the metrics authors in this group, the reason is twofold: metrics are kind of a big deal when it comes to themes, for obvious reasons. Not to mention that everything is Lua-ized now; not everyone can wrap their head around programming languages.

**AJ 187** · 03-24-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asterax

If you are including the metrics authors in this group

I am, just for clarification.

shakesoda · 03-24-2008, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asterax

Not to mention that everything is Lua-ized now; not everyone can wrap their head around programming languages.

I call BS on this statement. Lua isn't that hard if you are willing to put a bit of effort in instead of just giving up when you don't get it at a glance.

asterax · 03-24-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakesoda

I call BS on this statement. Lua isn't that hard if you are willing to put a bit of effort in instead of just giving up when you don't get it at a glance.

I think that's what I'm trying to say. Some people aren't cut out for programming, even when they've gone through all the tutorials and asked for help.

shakesoda · 03-25-2008, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asterax

I think that's what I'm trying to say. Some people aren't cut out for programming, even when they've gone through all the tutorials and asked for help.

Fair enough.

But if you can do INI (or XML) you can use Lua without too much difficulty.

Resonance|ESK · 03-25-2008, 06:21 AM

AJ....

Why do you keep making threads like this when you just go back to being like "Bah, I don't matter..." AFTER the entire community, including people who know what the hell they're talking about, tells you otherwise?

We need people like you to move the scene along.

k⁄⁄eternal · 03-25-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resonance|ESK

AJ....

Why do you keep making threads like this when you just go back to being like "Bah, I don't matter..." AFTER the entire community, including people who know what the hell they're talking about, tells you otherwise?

We need people like you to move the scene along.

This.

**AJ 187** · 03-25-2008, 10:49 AM

Oh, I try to move the scene along but nobody listens. It would actually help if I released something under my own name again though instead of helping others with their themes for the future.

Edit: I just see people like me show off their work and it gets little to no attention sometimes.

k⁄⁄eternal · 03-25-2008, 09:16 PM

On the latter, I still think if you worked more on the art component of your themes they'd fare a lot better. That sounds a bit off especially when we're talking about artists and coders as separate types, but I feel that more and more people are falling in between, and we're pretty much the only ones left at the extremes.

As I've said before, I think the best theme would be a mix of quality visuals with innovative code backing it. But I only really enjoy the graphical aspect of theming, and it shows--if it's the same for you and coding, then the unfortunate thing is that purely-visual themes seem to fare better with the public. So in the end something's got to give; either you can keep going on your own path and not mind that fact, or practice some more with artwork so that you'll finally get that well-deserved attention.

If it's any consolation, I believe I'll eventually be replaced by the ones in between as well, but I already know what I'm doing when that occurs.