Post by dlt on Feb 22, 2005 20:53:09 GMT
I've crossed over several threads where people are asking for a ProBoard template tutorial and the only respons is that there is none! I couldn't just stand there and listen to that! I had to do something! So I made this tutorial. It is only a BETA version but it will do for now. I might make a more copious version but this will do for now.
How to make a template for a forum (ProBoards).
Foreword
For a template to be good you need to make it unique. Not just the name and the banner etc but also the theme and codes of course.
Questions
Q: What is codes?
A: Codes is what you put in your Admin->Headers and Footers. They often start with "<script>" and ends with "</script>" or "<style>" and "</style>" or "<Script="JavaScript">" and "</script>". But all that depends on what the codes does. Between those starts/endings there is many funny and less funny signs and text. You'll learn with time...
Q: What is a template?
A: This you must know, if not then this is useless!
Q: What is "a banner, etc"?
A: That is the image that is the first thing you look at when you come to a new forum/site/whatever. The banner is an image where you (most do that) type your forums name on, and subname if you like. It is where your forum starts. "Etc" is all the other images you use on a forum. Like navigation buttons or gradients.
Q: What is the most common theme on PB, what should I choose instead?
A: There are many design forums out there, most of them with highly skilled designers so don't choose that if you know nothing about designing, graphics and such. Instead choose something you are interrested in. Let's say soccer or football, these are good, I don't think I have seen any like them before. Only once or twice, anyways.
Template
Colours: Always start with the colours of your forum. Search around on different PB's and look what colours they have and then DON'T use them. Use unique colours, not common ones.
Codes: Now, when you have found some delightful colours (THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS) go to some code forums like sangodesigns.proboards26.com, ssdesigns.proboards17.com, zdesign.proboards3.com or a 4th one. These are really, really good coding forums/designing forums. Find some cool, useful codes and put them in "Admin"->"Headers and Footers". (Be aware of this: Some codes goes only in the Header part and some others only in the Footers. Others are so big they go in Headers AND Footers but this is nothing to worry about. On the forums they usually tell you where the code goes so always read the whole post where the code is!)
Gradients: Gradients is the bars (images) that is as a background under the text: "Forum Name", "Last Post", "Topics", "Posts". Under that there is another gradient. On it it has the forum name. These you need to make in a program. A graphic program. Like MS Paint (really bad) or Photoshop (REALLY GREAT!). There are several tutorials on how to make them so look on www.google.com or ssdesigns.proboards17.com. To place them where they are suposed to go to support.proboards.com and into there FAQ and look for "Images Instead Of Colours (Gradients)".
Other Images: Well, these are all the other images of course. Go to "Admin" -> "Customize Board Images" and look at the images there and replace the urls with your uploaded images url.
Well, that's it! Hope it is useful and will stay here!
Please rate and give me comments and suggestions for the next version!
How to make a template for a forum (ProBoards).
Foreword
For a template to be good you need to make it unique. Not just the name and the banner etc but also the theme and codes of course.
Questions
Q: What is codes?
A: Codes is what you put in your Admin->Headers and Footers. They often start with "<script>" and ends with "</script>" or "<style>" and "</style>" or "<Script="JavaScript">" and "</script>". But all that depends on what the codes does. Between those starts/endings there is many funny and less funny signs and text. You'll learn with time...
Q: What is a template?
A: This you must know, if not then this is useless!
Q: What is "a banner, etc"?
A: That is the image that is the first thing you look at when you come to a new forum/site/whatever. The banner is an image where you (most do that) type your forums name on, and subname if you like. It is where your forum starts. "Etc" is all the other images you use on a forum. Like navigation buttons or gradients.
Q: What is the most common theme on PB, what should I choose instead?
A: There are many design forums out there, most of them with highly skilled designers so don't choose that if you know nothing about designing, graphics and such. Instead choose something you are interrested in. Let's say soccer or football, these are good, I don't think I have seen any like them before. Only once or twice, anyways.
Template
Colours: Always start with the colours of your forum. Search around on different PB's and look what colours they have and then DON'T use them. Use unique colours, not common ones.
Codes: Now, when you have found some delightful colours (THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS) go to some code forums like sangodesigns.proboards26.com, ssdesigns.proboards17.com, zdesign.proboards3.com or a 4th one. These are really, really good coding forums/designing forums. Find some cool, useful codes and put them in "Admin"->"Headers and Footers". (Be aware of this: Some codes goes only in the Header part and some others only in the Footers. Others are so big they go in Headers AND Footers but this is nothing to worry about. On the forums they usually tell you where the code goes so always read the whole post where the code is!)
Gradients: Gradients is the bars (images) that is as a background under the text: "Forum Name", "Last Post", "Topics", "Posts". Under that there is another gradient. On it it has the forum name. These you need to make in a program. A graphic program. Like MS Paint (really bad) or Photoshop (REALLY GREAT!). There are several tutorials on how to make them so look on www.google.com or ssdesigns.proboards17.com. To place them where they are suposed to go to support.proboards.com and into there FAQ and look for "Images Instead Of Colours (Gradients)".
Other Images: Well, these are all the other images of course. Go to "Admin" -> "Customize Board Images" and look at the images there and replace the urls with your uploaded images url.
Well, that's it! Hope it is useful and will stay here!
Please rate and give me comments and suggestions for the next version!
?
Thanks!
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