Hello Gina,
Nope, there really isn’t anything you have to worry about with the shortcodes. Currently Alyeska is running v2.1 of the framework and the next update to Alyeska will have v2.2 — So, we’re just talking about an update.
Many of the shortcodes have changed and have been improved. However, I’ve been very careful though to make sure that all shortcodes check for older methods being used where relevant so when people update everything doesn’t break.
And then the other thing to note is that, as you eluded to, you will have to install the Shortcodes plugin. But no worries on that, it will literally be as easy as just activating it and all of your old shortcodes will just work.
I honestly am not totally sure what’s going to come next. After Jump Star gets released I’ll be getting back into releasing new themes. What I have lined up next are a magazine theme and a most likely a BuddyPress theme. But I haven’t got it all figured out just yet.
