New template: Multiflex-3

[xyloweb]

I must be missing something really basic.
I really just need some basic instructions for Multiflex 3.
I am a part-time developer, who has a non-technical user see a demo for WebsiteBaker.
She chose Multiflex-3 as her favorite template.
I have successfully installed WB and Multiflex-3.
She can use the web-based menus to change the menus and the content body.
However, there are sever things she (and I) cannot figure out how to change.

I see on the right "Latest News" with "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit."
This section appears on every page, so it must be global to the site.
I cannot find any reference to the page in the web admin system, and I have downloaded all the files and searched through the file contents with no luck.  I am at a loss at how this text is generated.  It must be loaded in the MySQL tables (which I can get to), but I feel certain there must be a web-based way to alter them.
Other different colored sections are on the right with the same latin text.
I also see an "Other Menu" on the left.
I would also like to change the global page header image and text ("EASY • FLEXIBLE • ROBUST, etc...").

I looked for instructions on this template, and found this: http://www.1234.info/webtemplates/multiflex3/
It says to "Check the navigation menu to discover more!", but I've clicked on everything, and can't find any more info.
I've browsed the website baker documentation, but don't find any mention of the side menus.
I looked at add-ons, and see version 4.5 listed on my site.  So I know I have it.

Again, I feel like I am missing something really simple here.  I can write PHP and MySQL until the cows come home, but installed this so that my non-technical user could edit her web site with only minimal assistance from me.  She saw a demo that made site-editing look dirt-easy, so what am I missing?

[ruebenwurzel]

Hello,

please first read our docu. (http://help.WebsiteBaker.org/pages/en/advanced-docu.php) Some of your questions are explained there. If not you got an overview about the template structure wich should help you to find the code you are looking for. Basically all is written in the index.php of the template. To look on 1234.info cannot help, as the code you are looking for is a WB snippet and has nothing to do with the basic template code.

Matthias

[Argos]

I see on the right "Latest News" with "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit."
This section appears on every page, so it must be global to the site.
I cannot find any reference to the page in the web admin system, and I have downloaded all the files and searched through the file contents with no luck.  I am at a loss at how this text is generated.  It must be loaded in the MySQL tables (which I can get to), but I feel certain there must be a web-based way to alter them.
Other different colored sections are on the right with the same latin text.

These are example texts, hardcoded in the index.php from line 207 on. There are a number of similar blocks, looking like this:

Code: [Select]

<!-- Subcontent unit -->
        <div class="subcontent-unit-border">
          <div class="round-border-topleft"></div><div class="round-border-topright"></div>
          <h1>Latest News</h1>
          <p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.</p>
        </div>

I also see an "Other Menu" on the left.

That's on line 151:

Code: [Select]

        <!-- Navigation Level 3 -->
        <div class="round-border-topright"></div>
        <h1 class="first">Other Menu</h1>

I would also like to change the global page header image and text ("EASY • FLEXIBLE • ROBUST, etc...").

That's also hardcoded in the index.php, from line 95:

Code: [Select]

        <div class="sitemessage">
          <h1>EASY &bull; FLEXIBLE &bull; ROBUST</h1>
          <h2>The third generation Multiflex is<br /> here, now with cooler design<br /> features and easier code!</h2>
          <h3><a href="#">&rsaquo;&rsaquo;&nbsp;More details</a></h3>
        </div>

I looked for instructions on this template, and found this: http://www.1234.info/webtemplates/multiflex3/

That is the original, non-WB version of the template. The WB-version is here: http://www.coenjaerts.com/pages/downloads.php. Just remove all the example stuff and insert WB-code for news, and other menu and content blocks where you want. See the demo at http://www.coenjaerts.com/pages/templates/multiflex-3/multiflex-3-demo.php.

[xyloweb]

These are example texts, hardcoded in the index.php from line 207 on.

OK, I think I found my main problem.  When searching for text in files, Win XP has a bug that does not search through all file types (.e.g. PHP).  I am absolutely astounded that an operating system that has been out this long has such a basic bug.

NOW, I can find the text in PHP files in ...\Multiflex-3\index.php
From reading above, it sounds like all of the global text/graphics need to be changed in index.php, which I can do.
I will also read the advanced documentation to see what I can find.
Thanks.

[Argos]

These are example texts, hardcoded in the index.php from line 207 on.

OK, I think I found my main problem.  When searching for text in files, Win XP has a bug that does not search through all file types (.e.g. PHP).  I am absolutely astounded that an operating system that has been out this long has such a basic bug.

NOW, I can find the text in PHP files in ...\Multiflex-3\index.php
From reading above, it sounds like all of the global text/graphics need to be changed in index.php, which I can do.
I will also read the advanced documentation to see what I can find.
Thanks.

LOL I can't believe you did a search with XP to find the things you were lookign for. Mate, the template file is only index.php, and it's very small. Didn't you look at the file at all?? 

[xyloweb]

LOL I can't believe you did a search with XP to find the things you were lookign for. Mate, the template file is only index.php, and it's very small. Didn't you look at the file at all?? 

I know, it sounds silly now, but there are index.php files sprinkled all through the directory structure.  None of the forum posts I looked at mentioned which one to look at.  I figured such a simple search would easily find the file without having to manually dig through the directory structure.  So, when WinXP told me the text did not exist anywhere in the wb file structure, I didn't look further.
Sure, it is obvious if you know where to look, but not if you're not familiar with WB.  The installation process automatically puts the files in the template directory.  I didn't have to look there myself until now.

[ruebenwurzel]

Hello,

please read the posts above. We talked about the index.php of the your template.

So where could this file be? right in the templates directory. ok and you may say now where? Wich template we talk about? Multiflex3 right. Damm i found the correct index.php in templates/multiflex3 directory without using the fu....ing search of XP, only with 2 seconds in my mind. 

And please also don't use the XP editors for editing files. Try a product like notepad++ or whatever. Using XP will let you run in the next issues.

Matthias

[Argos]

The installation process automatically puts the files in the template directory.  I didn't have to look there myself until now.

But this template is not part of the default install, so you must have downloaded it to your pc. That was the place you should have looked. It has nothing to do with the map on the server where WB puts it (although it's pretty obvious that it's the template folder, of course). If you customize a template, you do that locally. So there is no "digging through the directory structure", you just go the folder where you have put it locally . It makes sense to put it into the templates folder to begin with of course...

I suggest you read http://help.WebsiteBaker.org/pages/en/basic-docu.php before doing anything else. You really should have a basic idea of how WB operates.

[xyloweb]

Guys, guys, you're being a little rough here.
I never said I couldn't find the index file in the (Multiflex) template directory.
But I had done a search for the text I was looking for (including that directory), and the search said the text wasn't there.
So I was 100% positive that the answer to -my- question wasn't there.  So I concentrated on looking at other areas.
The reason I was mentioned the uncertainty of the location of the index file is that I know other users have asked similar questions, and having gone through their experience, I can see why they had problems as well.  (FYI: only an uploaded zip file is used to install the template - the process does not tell a new user where the unzipped files are saved, even though I knew where.)

I was told before I posted that this was not a friendly forum.  I guess I can't complain, since I was warned.

In any case, thanks for helping me determine that the WinXP search still has a bug, since that was my main problem.

[ruebenwurzel]

Hello,

Guys, guys, you're being a little rough here.

Sorry if it sounds for you as rough. Wasn't meant this way, thought it more a little bit funny. So if this was misunderstood i wanna say again sorry. I personally try to not use Bill Gates software as exactly for the reason you wrote.

I was told before I posted that this was not a friendly forum

If you stay here a little bit longer you will see 98% of the users here are very friendly and helpful. There are only few wich are not friendly and a few like me wich sounds not friendly because of lacks in their english.

Matthiasl

[xyloweb]

OK, thanks for the clarification.
And let me restate that the technical info in the answers above was right on, and immediately got me on the right track to be productive again.

[Argos]

Hey xyloweb, I didn't mean to be harsh either. Welcome to the forums and WB 
I hope you succeed with the template.

[xyloweb]

I have been successful with all my changes except one.
I cannot change the (currently green) header image.
I have looked in layout_setup.css, and chenged the following from:

.header-middle {width:900px; height:150px; background:rgb(230,230,230) url(./img/bg_head_middle.jpg); overflow:visible !important /*Firefox*/; overflow:hidden /*IE6*/;}

To:
.header-middle {width:900px; height:150px; background:rgb(230,230,230) url(/wb/media/Karaka.png); overflow:visible !important /*Firefox*/; overflow:hidden /*IE6*/;}

The green header image disappears, but the new header is not there.  The page header area collapses, as if there were no header image.

Is it because the image needs to be in the template image directory?  If so, I'm not sure how to easily get it there and keep the permissions correct.
Is there a problem with it being a PNG file?  I can view the PNG file in my browser at the address with no problem.

I'm sure I could edit the index.php and do it that way, but I would rather stick to using the template 'as is' without engineering any major changes.

P.S. to new users.  You need to add the "Template Edit" add-on to edit stuff other than the center content (e.g. to edit the template).

[BerndJM]

HI,

the path to your image isn't correct. I bet there is no folder "/wb/media/" in your templates directory as you say in you CSS statement.
You have to define the path from the point of view where your css-file resists.
If your css-file is in e.g. /templates/multiflex so the call for a pic in /media could be:
../../media/your_pic.png

Regards Bernd

[Argos]

You have to define the path from the point of view where your css-file resists.
If your css-file is in e.g. /templates/multiflex so the call for a pic in /media could be:
../../media/your_pic.png

A fixed, static path, like (htttp://www.your_domain_here.com/wb/media/your_pic.png) would also work.

But you really should keep all template files in the template folder. So put the header pic in the template folder (or a sub folder), instead of the media folder. So in your case I'd recommend (./img/Karaka.png)

Besides: be aware of using png files. IE6 doesnt support png transparancy without additional hacks. So if you use png and transparancy is important, please check in IE6 as well, because it is still being used a lot. If transparancy is not important, you'd better use jpg. Of course gif is an option too, if the picture has max 256 colors.

[xyloweb]

You have to define the path from the point of view where your css-file resists.

That is generally true, but if you start the path name with "/", I believe it should look in the root of the site, since that is an absolute path.  If you don't start with a "/", then it is a relative path which follows the rule you mentioned.

A fixed, static path, like (htttp://www.your_domain_here.com/wb/media/your_pic.png) would also work.

I also tried using the fully qualified domain name, but that didn't work either.
Hmmm.
I guess I'll try a JPG located in my template directory next, but I wish I could figure out why this doesn't work.
FYI: Here is the source of my image:
http://www.colourlovers.com/imgDetail/1156/717/CC0033/170~Karaka.png

[BerndJM]

@Argos:

But you really should keep all template files in the template folder.

Of course that's the best and easiest way to store the pictures, but what do you do if the custmers wish is, to easy change them ...

Regards Bernd

[Argos]

@Argos:

But you really should keep all template files in the template folder.

Of course that's the best and easiest way to store the pictures, but what do you do if the custmers wish is, to easy change them ...

Regards Bernd

Yes, that could be a valid reason, I didn't think about that.

[Argos]

You have to define the path from the point of view where your css-file resists.

That is generally true, but if you start the path name with "/", I believe it should look in the root of the site, since that is an absolute path.  If you don't start with a "/", then it is a relative path which follows the rule you mentioned.

A fixed, static path, like (htttp://www.your_domain_here.com/wb/media/your_pic.png) would also work.

I also tried using the fully qualified domain name, but that didn't work either.
Hmmm.
I guess I'll try a JPG located in my template directory next, but I wish I could figure out why this doesn't work.
FYI: Here is the source of my image:
http://www.colourlovers.com/imgDetail/1156/717/CC0033/170~Karaka.png

So you just want a solid background color? Why don't you use a color code then? Can we have a look a the site itself?

[xyloweb]

EDIT: The code has changed on the site - see the fix below.

Here is the site:
http://blog.lesliepsychic.com/wb/pages/home.php

Here is the CSS:
http://blog.lesliepsychic.com/wb/templates/Multiflex-3a/layout_setup.css

FYI: I put my altered template/css/code in Multiflex-3a, where the original is in Multiflex-3.

Here is the CSS line that I commented out and added my own image.
The problem is that this new image does not show up.

Code: [Select]

/* .header-middle {width:900px; height:150px; background:rgb(230,230,230) url(./img/bg_head_middle.jpg); overflow:visible !important /*Firefox*/; overflow:hidden /*IE6*/;} */
.header-middle {width:900px; height:100px; background:rgb(230,230,230) url(/wb/media/hot_pink.jpg); overflow:visible !important /*Firefox*/; overflow:hidden /*IE6*/;}
Here is the image file:
http://blog.lesliepsychic.com/wb/media/hot_pink.jpg

Thanks for your time in looking this over.

[BerndJM]

Sorry,

but did you ever read only one of the responses you got to your first post
In the css the path to your "image file" is still not correct (I said it before)!
Your "image" is a big pink block - why you don't use a background-color with the appropriate color-code instead (as Argos mentioned!)?
Btw. the color-code is #FF0066

Regards Bernd

[xyloweb]

Your "image" is a big pink block - why you don't use a background-color with the appropriate color-code instead (as Argos mentioned!)?

I know, it seems more complicated than it needs to be now, but I will eventually replace the same-color banner with another image.

FIX: I found the problem.
I ran my code through a CSS validator, and saw that could not parse the line that I commented out.
Then I saw the "/*Firefox*/" in the middle of the line.
The "*/" on the end of that mid-line comment is actually terminating my comment before I intended.
I deleted that entire commented line, and now it works fine.

I was trying to be safe by keeping the old code for reference, but in the end, it bit me.
Thanks for the comments.

[olaf]

hi all

i don't know if it helps anybody, since this one is a quite outdated template, but i just used it on one of my pages.
i got the already discussed IE8 problem with the dropdown menues, but insted of forcing IE8 to emulate IE7 i changed the show_menu2 call in the index.php like this:

originally it was:

Code: [Select]

show_menu2(1, SM2_ROOT, SM2_ALL,SM2_ALL,'<li>[a][menu_title]
                        [if(class==menu-expand){<!--[if IE 7]><!--></a><!--<![endif]--><!--[if lte IE 6]><table><tr><td><![endif]--><ul>}]
                        [if(class!=menu-expand){</a>}]
                        [if(class!=menu-last){</li>}]
                        [if(class==menu-last){</li></ul><!--[if lte IE 6]></td></tr></table></a><![endif]-->}]','','','');
and i changed to:

Code: [Select]

show_menu2(0, SM2_ROOT, SM2_ALL, SM2_ALL, false, "</li>", false, false, false, '<ul>');
and voila, IT WORKS! in all IEs (IE6,IE7,IE8)

hope this helps

olaf

[xyloweb]

hi all

i don't know if it helps anybody, since this one is a quite outdated template...

...and voila, IT WORKS! in all IEs (IE6,IE7,IE8)

hope this helps

olaf

Heck, yes!
I was using this template and wasn't even aware of the problem.
I use FireFox and my client uses Safari.
Thanks for posting.  I fixed it in 5 minutes. what might have taken hours.

[vincent77]

having this problem with IE8...

changed the

Code: [Select]

show_menu2(1, SM2_ROOT, SM2_ALL,SM2_ALL,'<li>[a][menu_title]
                        [if(class==menu-expand){<!--[if IE 7]><!--></a><!--<![endif]--><!--[if lte IE 6]><table><tr><td><![endif]--><ul>}]
                        [if(class!=menu-expand){</a>}]
                        [if(class!=menu-last){</li>}]
                        [if(class==menu-last){</li></ul><!--[if lte IE 6]></td></tr></table></a><![endif]-->}]','','','');
into:

Code: [Select]

show_menu2(0, SM2_ROOT, SM2_ALL, SM2_ALL, false, "</li>", false, false, false, '<ul>');
but that still screws up in IE8 
Thought I was done... had a look in IE and started almost crying...