New subject: Creating custom skin based on Vector in MediaWiki 1.20

13 Nov 2012

Hi!
Some year ago, I used to create Vector-based skin with redesigned layout (very different
positions of sidebar and action links) in MW 1.17 from scratch, via copying all of Vector
subtree and modifying it, then adding my skin resources into Resources.php. It worked, but
was a lot of work, including core patching.

Now I work with 1.20 and there's an article written by Daniel Friesen on how to create
Vector-derived skins without modifying Resources.php and using Vector classes and styles
as a base. So I do not have to modify the core and to copy the whole skin subtree:
http://blog.redwerks.org/2012/02/28/mediawiki-subskin-tutorial/

I mostly followed the instructions in the guide. However my skin also changes skin
execute() method, because not just css and quite a lot of layout is changed. execute()
works fine.

I need to override a lot of Vector's css, located in 'skins.vector' resource
module.

But the following code:
	/**
	 * @param $out OutputPage object
	 */
	function setupSkinUserCss( OutputPage $out ){
		parent::setupSkinUserCss( $out );
		$out->addModuleStyles( "skins.artmuseum" );
	}

causes 'skins.vector' styles to be loaded after my 'skins.artmuseum'
styles. So, the Vector styles are not overwritten by my skin styles.
Changing the order does not help:
	function setupSkinUserCss( OutputPage $out ){
		$out->addModuleStyles( "skins.artmuseum" );
		parent::setupSkinUserCss( $out );
	}

ResourceLoader has 'dependencies' key to make resource automatically be dependent
on another resource:
$wgResourceModules['skins.artmuseum'] = array(
	'styles' => array(
		'artmuseum/screen.css' => array( 'media' => 'screen' ),
	),
	'remoteBasePath' => &$GLOBALS['wgStylePath'],
	'localBasePath' => &$GLOBALS['wgStyleDirectory'],
	'dependencies' => 'skin.vector'
);

However, 'skin.vector' module includes both styles and scripts. And
setupSkinUserCss() adds styles only. So 'dependencies' did not help, vector styles
are loaded later, anyway. What can I do with that?

Also, I need to load remote google webfonts. Does ResourceLoader support this or I have to
use old-fashionated methods of OutputPage() ?
Dmitriy