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[timbor Friend timborJoin date: November 2007Posts: 38Downloads:0Uploads:2 Thanks: 2]

#143798

Hey all,

I know bits and pieces of CSS to get me through.. But I am not a fan of the menus in JA Nickel for the left hand side of the template.

I really like the menu modules from zeolite… how would I be able to integrate those menu module styles into JA Nickel?

I know it has something to do with CSS.. but as I said earlier I am not too good with CSS.. can anyone help me please?

Cheers in advance..

Tibor.

[cgc0202 Friend cgc0202Join date: August 2007Posts: 2244Downloads:0Uploads:3 Thanks: 206 Thanked: 262 times in 1 posts]

#315733

<em>@timbor 142515 wrote:</em><blockquote>Hey all,

I know bits and pieces of CSS to get me through.. But I am not a fan of the menus in JA Nickel for the left hand side of the template.

I really like the menu modules from zeolite… how would I be able to integrate those menu module styles into JA Nickel?

I know it has something to do with CSS.. but as I said earlier I am not too good with CSS.. can anyone help me please?

Cheers in advance..

Tibor.</blockquote>

Tibor,

This is where learning the basics can make a difference. It took me years before I got the courage to change a pre-existing page script, even if I can create a custom layout and write its CSS.

If you Google, CSS and Layouting, you will get many good online tutorials on the relationship of layout and CSS. Start with this if your eventual goal is to really be able to do more basic CSS and layouting.

If you are not thoroughly familiar with the script of a template, it is so easy to destroy a site layout beyond repair. The reason for this is that unlike a simple page layout, all JA templates are modularized and the scripts are compartmentalized.

Common scripts used by many modules usually are placed in a defined php page and directory then called upon by all other layouts and modules using the common scripts. This minimizes coding.

However, this commonality or connectivity of scripts haver their perils when attempting to change an already “perfected” layout, after a number of thorough testing. After an edit, what may appear OK in pages generated from the same module may have different impact on pages generated from different modules.

To learn how to do stuff on your own, after you have learned some basic layouting and CSS edits, the next thing that will help you a lot is to become thoroughly familiar with the index.php of a template, in the templates directory.

From the index.php — know where the “begin” and “end” of each module position layout is located. they are indeed defined by the CSS.

1. Learn the major frameworks or main divisions of the template.
2. Then understand the subdivisions of each.
3. Continue doing this until you are able to identify all the modules

The above requires comparing the the CSS and the layout you see in the Front End of a site.
If you plan to be systematic:

1. Place what are called landmark notes to identify the “begin” and “end” of each module position layout.
2. Test your landmarks by adding “test text” to check whether your “begin” and “end” of each module position layout.
3. Test it further by adding fixed width and height moddules, and see how these would affect the overall layout.

You have to do this one at a time.

Check the Front End after each challenge or test, to see how it affects the various modules or general Sections and Categories,

There are more that you needed to know for example, like how to create new positions (there are Joomlart tutorials on this already)

The above is tedious and will require a lot of time to learn how your modifications affect various pages. The time involved is the reason why I decided to limit myself to understanding just one template. I chose Teline II, for example. In theory, I can recreate the basic layout of any JA Template starting with what I now know with JA Teline II after I added or removed the requisite extensions. I can even create new layouts.

Since like you, I really do not have the background and experience, sometimes I come here to ask more specific questions (after I have already tried it on my own) to resolve a layout issue.

Helping others to help you

It is too nebulous to ask and expect any specific response with this:

<em>@timbor 142515 wrote:</em><blockquote>
I know it has something to do with CSS.. but as I said earlier I am not too good with CSS.. can anyone help me please?</blockquote>

Many more experienced people also are more likely to help you if you have identified a specific layout modification, share what you have done and the result of your efforts. Provide the URL of your site and any information that will avoid the “guess work” on the part who may consider helping you.

Cornelio

[timbor Friend timborJoin date: November 2007Posts: 38Downloads:0Uploads:2 Thanks: 2]

#315759

Hey there,

Thanks for the long reply.. but I am looking for someone here to help me make the changes.. not to make them myself.. I am too busy running my business to learn this..

So if anyone here can help me please contact me.

Cheers,

timbor.

<em>@cgc0202 142543 wrote:</em><blockquote>Tibor,

This is where learning the basics can make a difference. It took me years before I got the courage to change a pre-existing page script, even if I can create a custom layout and write its CSS.

If you Google, CSS and Layouting, you will get many good online tutorials on the relationship of layout and CSS. Start with this if your eventual goal is to really be able to do more basic CSS and layouting.

If you are not thoroughly familiar with the script of a template, it is so easy to destroy a site layout beyond repair. The reason for this is that unlike a simple page layout, all JA templates are modularized and the scripts are compartmentalized.

Common scripts used by many modules usually are placed in a defined php page and directory then called upon by all other layouts and modules using the common scripts. This minimizes coding.

However, this commonality or connectivity of scripts haver their perils when attempting to change an already “perfected” layout, after a number of thorough testing. After an edit, what may appear OK in pages generated from the same module may have different impact on pages generated from different modules.

To learn how to do stuff on your own, after you have learned some basic layouting and CSS edits, the next thing that will help you a lot is to become thoroughly familiar with the index.php of a template, in the templates directory.

From the index.php — know where the “begin” and “end” of each module position layout is located. they are indeed defined by the CSS.

1. Learn the major frameworks or main divisions of the template.
2. Then understand the subdivisions of each.
3. Continue doing this until you are able to identify all the modules

The above requires comparing the the CSS and the layout you see in the Front End of a site.
If you plan to be systematic:

1. Place what are called landmark notes to identify the “begin” and “end” of each module position layout.
2. Test your landmarks by adding “test text” to check whether your “begin” and “end” of each module position layout.
3. Test it further by adding fixed width and height moddules, and see how these would affect the overall layout.

You have to do this one at a time.

Check the Front End after each challenge or test, to see how it affects the various modules or general Sections and Categories,

There are more that you needed to know for example, like how to create new positions (there are Joomlart tutorials on this already)

The above is tedious and will require a lot of time to learn how your modifications affect various pages. The time involved is the reason why I decided to limit myself to understanding just one template. I chose Teline II, for example. In theory, I can recreate the basic layout of any JA Template starting with what I now know with JA Teline II after I added or removed the requisite extensions. I can even create new layouts.

Since like you, I really do not have the background and experience, sometimes I come here to ask more specific questions (after I have already tried it on my own) to resolve a layout issue.

Helping others to help you

It is too nebulous to ask and expect any specific response with this:

Many more experienced people also are more likely to help you if you have identified a specific layout modification, share what you have done and the result of your efforts. Provide the URL of your site and any information that will avoid the “guess work” on the part who may consider helping you.

Cornelio</blockquote>

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