Serendipity Forums

I literally just got this. I want to know how to go about uploading a premade theme. I have the raw HTML cod ready with the image hosting links already put in. I was wondering how to upload the template. could some one tell me? here is the template http://www.thedesignworld.com/templates/clantemplate14/
I am planing on using the foundation of this template for my own (don't worry I'm not stealing any of the graphics) after i have the template uploaded I'm planing on replacing all the graphics with my own. What i want to do is link up my forums, clan info, ect as separate pages. How do i add on pages to my site? Please attempt to answer my questions as best as you can.

Hi!

That link you entered is just a HTML template.

You first need to turn it into a Serendipity template, by creating a subdirectory in "templates" and calling it like "clantemplate". Then copy all the files fmro templates/default/ into that folder and start adapting the files. WARNING: At least HTML knowledge is required to do this!

Hope I understood your question.

HTH,
Garvin

yep im still lost lol.

Hi!

So do you have HTML knowledge?

Regards,
Garvin

Creating a subdirectory in "Templates" on your server. Should`nt be a Problem. If it is, forget about the whole thing, you wont be able to make it.

Then you open the source of your Templatedummy and copy the css-lines into a new file called style.css. (In your case thats the file css.css on your server)

Then you change all the Image location Lines. Move all the neccesary Images into another subdirectory in "Templates" --> "Your first subdirectory" and name it "img". Then make sure, that all imageurl`s are corrected to that dir and connected to the s9y standarttags like Once you have established the connections between the s9y standatds and your dummytemplate, you will at least see an result when you load the template in.

load the template? Yes. As soon as you`re having the template subdirectory named and created the info.txt, your template will be available in the style management.

The rest is correctures and finetuning.

But actualy i would recomment to use an already existing template for a couple of tryouts first. If you do not have any experience with s9y templates, you will get lost during the change again.

Thats how i just started a couple of days ago.

little. i know basic BBcode. also i know how to get images in to the template by puting the hosting link in the HTML code. Im also a freshman in highschool....

im still setting up the FPT stuff on my computer so i can have acsess to the folders.

so could someone direct me too a walkthrough of the steps to customizing a template? this would be much appreciated.

Anything I say from this point forward is just my personal opinion. Not everyone here might agree with it.

My personal experience is that, if you show signs of helping yourself first, others will step in to help you in that process. However, no one is going to do it for you unless, of course, you are willing to make a contribution. However, I personally feel people would rather help for nothing if they feel their efforts will benefit the s9y community as a whole. Maybe the talented experts here help you, and you return the favor sometime down the road!!!

Now, assuming you are willing to proceed, you need to break this thing down into what needs to be done. There is code, and there are graphics. I am an expert in neither, and few are expert in BOTH. Your example will require some serious graphic talent. It might also help to know where this template comes from.

That being said, you have to decide if you can find a theme that meets many of your needs, but requires minor customization, or if you need to start from scratch. If you have identified a theme that does much of what you want, but needs a few graphic substitutions, share your thoughts.

If you cannot find anything that might offer a starting point, perhaps you can describe why nothing meets your needs, and what exactly you need.

I see nothing in your example that cannot be accomplished with s9y. However, I suspect you will need a variety of skills to meet your desired goals.

So - are you ready for a challenge?

im trying out what Rodnox suggested me do.
One question though, I copied the css code into the sub directory in the templates folder now all i have to do is move the images folder right? I just need the next step clarified for me, i have all the images hosted on imageshack right now and i have the url direct links. I dont understand:

"Then you change all the Image location Lines. Move all the neccesary Images into another subdirectory in "Templates" --> "Your first subdirectory" and name it "img". Then make sure, that all imageurl`s are corrected to that dir and connected to the s9y standarttags like Code:

code:

#content
#serendipity_banner
#serendipityRightSideBar
... "
could you explain this step a little better.
PS sorry for me being a nuisance. Im trying as best as i can but its just been giving me a hard time and it hard to understand all of it at once.

I will assume you have an existing Serendipity template you wish to edit to meet your needs.

Create a new folder for the template you are about to create - name it anything you wish.

Copy the contents of the template you wish to edit (including all subfolders) into this new directory.

Added bonus - using a text editor, edit the file "info.txt" using notepad, wordpad, or any other ascii text editor. It should be pretty obvious that the file containes a template name, author name, creation date, etc. Change these values to whatever you want. Template name is usually something quite similar (if not identical) to the folder name for the template.

Later - when you are done with your template, you will want to take a screenshot and name it "preview.png". Most are using an image size of 110px wide x 75px tall (or something close). This is a step for later - you can delete the preview.png image from this newly created folder if it is confusing to see the image of the template you are modifying instead of your own.

From the admin panel, you can select "manage styles". Your newly created template should appear as a choice. Select it as your site's template.

From here on, it is all about editing. The style.css file will probably get the most editing, and you will use an ascii text editor to do so. The index.tpl is, essentially, the index.php file that will get loaded. It is not pure html, but instead also contains "smarty" variables. You will need to review some of the documents here to get a grasp of what exactly that means to you if you need to edit the file. However, I think most of your cosmetic changes will be occuring in the style.css file.

Finally, I doubt anyone considers you to be a nuisance. If they think YOU are, then they definiately think *I* am since I ask plenty of questions myself. There is a lot here to get your arms around. As they say, Rome was not buit in a day. Be patient. Ask questions. Use the "search" feature of this forum. When all else fails, post a message. Lots of exceptionally talented people here committed to Serendipity.