Today we introduce our new framework called 'Warp'. So whats this all about? First of all since the beginning every YOOtheme template design is based on a framework. A framework provides a powerful layer you can develop a new template upon which uses all the features like CSS/JavaScript compression and JavaScript effects to create richer user experience. Overall using a framework makes it easier to create great templates which simply work in a cross-browser environment. Also our Warp template framework evolves over time because we constantly apply updates, add enhancements or introduce new features. Finally we think it's important for you guys to know that each YOOtheme template is more than just a design because there's also a lot of stuff happening inside. Further the template framework helps anyone who extends and customizes a YOOtheme template to create a individual website for a small or even large webproject.

We are happy to announce that with our new template Phoenix we are introducing a new era in YOOtheme templating: our shiny new Warp template framework. Warp is what's under the hood of a YOOtheme template. With Phoenix, you get a wide range of awesome new features. First of all, there is our amazing new multi-column dropdown menu, which is a true novelty for the Joomla world: You can set as many columns as you want, set the column width in the backend, display big icons for second level items ... you gotta check it out yourself, it looks so cool!

Phoenix also comes with lots of modules, some of them with color variations. Now you can also show icons in your module headers. Phoenix provides an endless supply of combinations of module styles, colors, badges and icons. The new 2-1-3 column ordering makes Phoenix super search engine friendly. The two nested 3-column-layouts makes your website amazingly flexible. And also, this is our fastest template ever, sporting a new way of CSS/JS compression and background image sprites.

Feature list

• Built with the new Warp template framework
• Amazing new muti-column dropdown menu
• Icons in module headers
• Lots of modules with color variations, endless combinations with icons and badges possible
• 2-1-3 column ordering for search engine friendliness
• Our fastest template ever, using image sprites
• Works with all YOOtools

Today we want to give a brief roundup on our ZOO presentation at Hagenbeck ZOO's Tropical Aquarium on May 27th, 2009. We know that it has already been five weeks since we had this great event but it took us some time to look through all the pictures, create the video and prepare this blog post.

First of all, thanks everyone for coming. We were almost 40 people in the Huge Shark Atoll, and we think it was a very nice evening with a stunning atmosphere. The presentation was divided into three parts. The first one was held by Annabel, talking about the architecture and the different application purposes of the ZOO. Then, Janine talked about everything you can do in the backend of the ZOO, creating catalogs, categories, types and items. After Janine's presentation, Sven showed what you can do with templates and overrides, how to render elements and what the different views are for. He also showed in which folders you can find all the files needed to create templates and what all of those files do, basically everything you need to know to be able to create your own templates. After the presentation, Steffan gave a lookout on which features are going to be implemented in the next ZOO versions. We will do a blog post about the upcoming features of ZOO 1.1 in the next weeks. Finally we had individual conversations about Joomla, the ZOO, YOOtheme and the daily work we all do as web developers, of which some were very inspiring.

We recorded the whole event and created a short video for all who could not participate. Don't forget to continue reading to see all the images. Enjoy the video impressions:

Welcome "Level" the new June'09 template from YOOtheme, the overall simplistic, elegant and versatile design makes it a perfect match for your website. Level's top and bottom module position uses a transparency effect which combined with the background image is the eye-catcher of this template.

It's also a perfect spot to place your product teaser or banner for example utilizing the YOOscroller module module. Level brings you 9 beautifully designed glossy module variations, which nicely integrate in your different page layouts.

Further the template offers 12 great business style color variations you can choose from! By the way: The Level works perfectly with the ZOO extension, the versatile catalog component which includes a content construction kit!

Feature list

• 12 great background variations
• 9 different module variations
• Tableless overrides for all Joomla components
• Smart CSS to customize Joomla components
• Enhanced module system with flexible proportions
• Fully sliced Fireworks .png Source files
• Works with all YOOtools

Hi there, we want to remind you that on the 27th of May we are going to present our ZOO component at the Huge Shark Atoll of the Hagebeck Zoo in Hamburg, Germany. If you want to participate, drop us a line within the next two days as we will only accept registrations until the 20th of May. The entry is free. You can find more information on the previous blog post.

• Date: Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
• Time: 19:00 (Central European Summer Time)
• Location: Hagenbeck ZOO, Tropical Aquarium
• Address: Lokstedter Grenzstraße 2, Hamburg, Germany
• Email registration is required until May 20th, 2009
• The presentation and discussion will be held in German language

See you on the 27th!

Everything is in motion. This month's template Motion pays tribute to the way the world spins. It comes with beautifully designed widescreen landscape backgrounds and subtle animations.

The landscapes you can choose from range from islands and cities to deep sea and space images. Take a closer look and discover the lovely animated sailing boats, clouds, stars, etc.

Also, if you haven't seen it yet, go and get the YOOtweet module we released last month. Displaying Twitter updates on your site has never been easier.

Of course, like all our templates from 2009, Motion comes with tableless overrides and smart CSS to easily customize all Joomla components, the enhanced YOOtheme module system with flexible proportions, countless options to compose and layout your content and typography and fully sliced Fireworks .png image source files. This way, you can completely modify this template, like all our templates, to suit your needs.

Feature list

• 10 awesome background variations
• 7 beautifull header illustrations
• 12 lovely animated objects
• Tableless overrides for all Joomla components
• Smart CSS to customize Joomla components
• Enhanced module system with flexible proportions
• Fully sliced Fireworks .png Source files
• Works with all YOOtools

Our newest product ZOO was well received by the Joomla community, so we think it's time to celebrate the pleasant outcome of a year's worth of work with you! On May 27th, 2009, we are going to have our first YOOtheme event ever: We are really excited to invite you to our ZOO presentation in Hamburg, Germany. The event will begin at 19:00 (Central European Summer Time). The rough agenda is that first we will present the power of the ZOO and its true CCK functionality and show you how everything works. We will structure the presentation to be informative for both people who haven't used the ZOO yet and experienced developers. After the presentation we are planning on having a lively discussion amongst the participants. The presentation and discussion will be held in German. Of course, all YOOtheme developers and designers will be there. We are looking forward to meeting you!

Exciting Location

We chose a location with an ambience that fits the occasion perfectly. Experience a night in company of sharks roaming the reefs of the South Seas: Our presentation will take place at a tribune viewing the Huge Shark Atoll of the Hagenbeck ZOO's Tropical Aquarium. Snap at the chance to meet fellow web developers in a stunning atmosphere!

• Date: Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
• Time: 19:00 (Central European Summer Time)
• Location: Hagenbeck ZOO, Tropical Aquarium
• Address: Lokstedter Grenzstraße 2, Hamburg, Germany
• Email registration is required until May 20th, 2009

The entry is free. The number of seats is limited though, so drop us an email soon. First come, first served! See you on the 27th of May!

Thank you so much for all the photos you sent us! We are still surprised to see that your photos came from all over the world, this is so cool! So it was really hard for us to pick the ten winners. The people who sent in the ten most awesomest photos each won a license of the ZOO Pro Edition. We will notify all winners by email today.

We especially want to highlight one thing here: There is this one guy, Ben, who made our PDF into a huge billboard and took his family on a trip to take pictures of himself with that thing. Ben: Well done! Check out the I love YOO page on his website and especially his kid saying "I love you (YOO)" in the video, that's the cutest!

We want to thank all of you guys again for participating in our competition, this has been so much fun! Now take a look at the winner photos:

UPDATE: Great video made by Denise. She took some pictures at the Joomla! Day Las Vegas.

Three days left to win a ZOO Pro Edition. Just join the I ♥ YOO competition. Read more...

It has been two and a half weeks since the ZOO release and we have over 5700 downloads of the Lite Edition. We are glad to see more and more reviews, news articles and Twitter discussions going on about our ZOO extension. Also, the term CCK is a hot and intensely discussed topic and we would like to share our view on some points and answer some questions here.