Couple a months ago I had plans for creating new Starscape theme from scratch, with much more features than current Starscape has. But for the past few months I have less free time and much more work, so most of the plans are now abandoned. Most of my free time now goes into GD Star Rating plugin.

But, a week or so ago, I have decided to continue working on Starscape. This will not include completly new theme, but rather cleaned up and partially rewritten version of the current version. This work will end up in releasing Starscape 2.0 in the next few months. Also, if time permits I will also work on two more themes called Starscape 3 and xScape.

Developing Starscape 2.0

Development of this theme will continue on the base of Starscape 1.5. First thing will be removing old Classic styles, and working only with Nova styles. Control panel will be redesigned, and it will use jQuery tabbed interface. Most modules will be still available, and some new will be added. Also, I will use more jQuery controls for color pickers and some other stuff so the customization will be easier. There is going to be support of custom resource folder outside of theme folder and that will make upgrade easier.

Starscape developement will have first public version in the next month (at most). It will be developed under code name Phoenix, and version number will start from 1.9.

Also, theme will be free, but support will not. There will some form of payment, but I am not sure as of yet how much, or any other details. More info on this will follow.

Future Starscape 3 & xScape

This two themes will be developed together and will share most of customization and features but with different base design. Not much else is to say about them right now. More info to follow. Important thing is that this themes will not going to be free.

So, that’s it for now. Next release will most likely be another 1.5 version, and in the middle of january 2009 first Starscape Phoenix 1.9.0.