Give it a try. Lua is easy and the api has good documentation. There’s plenty of good widgets to use as examples. And if you have any questions just ask.
I’ve based my theme on sometimes I found but yes, I heavily adapted it. Theming is simple, awesome is flexible but not very pretty. It’s more about usbility. Easily define rules for specific windows, powerful keybindings and so one. For example my config defects if I’m using external monitor or not and changes the widgets accordingly. It’s just one if in the config. I don’t think it’s possible at all in gnome.
Oh my, yes. The benefit is that one you figure it out it’s super easy to create widgets. I wrote from 0 or adapted my own widgets for apt, Spotify, notes, timer, weather alerts… Basic plugins (like system monitor, battery, volume) you can just find online but when you need something custom is real easy. For example I wanted something to alert me when my pihole is down. 30 minutes of scripting and it’s in my tray.
You joke but the Catholic canon says that to check if someone is saint you have to pray to him and if miracle happens it means that this person can talk to god because only god can do miracles. And since he can talk to god it means he’s in heaven so his a saint. They actually have a pretend ‘scientific method’ they use for beatifications.
I think he would be more surprised by the fact that Trump was president of the united states. Of course first you would have to explain to him what ‘President’ is. And who’s Trump. And what reality TV is. And TV. And where’s America.