Modules Template System: A BIG mess
The title describes about everything.. but since I have the time to write let me explain a bit..
Since I started to -REALLY- dig into the template system, I've found how disastrous the template system is designed..
Imagine some one has a new website.. everything is good, nice and shiny uni template..
This user is installing about 20 new modules, imagine all kinds of colors from all the modules..
Same user decides to buy a new dark colors template, suddenly his website turns into a BIG MESS.
Why? Just because Boonex decided that modules (and most annoying) even the boonex original modules has their own skin.. WTH ???
Imagine Joomla having 20000 plugins around the web each of them with a different skin.. would that script still be a success after all these years?
Many of my clients are really annoyed that Boonex decided to let modules have their own skins.. Keeping the logic of the actual Dolphin template system a client that buys dolphin and 20 new modules, for each new main template he will have to pay an additional 20 templates for the 20 modules.. THAT'S INSANE ! Absolutely no designer will be crazy enough to create a new template for each module on the market..
Please Boonex take the broom and erase the styling from your modules and use the main style sheet instead.. be a good example to the other developers until it's not too late and we will end up with 20000 templates for each of the 20000 modules..
Thanks.
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In Dolphin 7, for example a blog unit CSS class is called "blog_unit", and in articles module the corresponding snippet (albeit with a see more
Here's what I do. I upload my template in the template folder and that takes care of all my modules. Then I just have to deal with the forum because that needs to be compiled.
Then I'm done. I have no idea why you would even have to go into each and every folder or module.
If your sticking to a white background, then yes. We are talking about a template with a black or colored background. Design an all black template, then tell us you don't need to deal with the modules. Sorry, but not as easy as you think.
Also try changing an image that is in a module. Try changing it from your uni folder and let me know how that works out for you. thats what i mean by 100% unique color text images backgrounds and so on.
I can change an image in the module fine. Ofcourse that will only result in the image changing for the said module. So I am not sure what you are trying to say. Do you have a screen shot?
Changing anything image in the UNI folder will change whatever CSS or image and will be reflected in what that file touches.
I can make any color, background work from a template file. I never have to go into the modules.
Do you have a screen shot or example? I see all you guys are experts see more
"Whatever we call it, you still need to define separate CSS classes for each module under each skin, rather than deriving similar or near-identical units from a generic CSS class for simply 'units' or 'posts'."
You should never have to "define separate CSS classes for each module under each skin" The only time you should ever have to do that is if you are making a custom design specific to the module outside of what the current boonex module CSS offers see more
Can you show us a demo of a template that you have done?
If your so sure of this method of yours, then write a tutorial.
@*
With all due respect to everyone here, my intention was not to offend but to enlighten.
I don't need to write a tutorial and right now, I honestly don't want to after what I've experienced here. You are all are welcomed to keep doing templates like you think you should be doing them. It's clear some of you are doubting my skills. see more
I don't think that @deano was being contemptous about what he was saying, I think he was just saying that that he is curious like me and I am sure a lot of us here about how you go about what you do with the templates that you design. I totally agree 100% with what you say : This place needs a solid templates tutorial. see more
It would be interestng to see see more
@import url(../../base/css/common.css);
change the file so it looks like this:
@import url(../../base/css/common.css);
.boxContent see more
@import url(../../base/css/common.css);
.boxContent {
background-color: #000;
}
and it would have had pretty much the same effect. The other attributes would have been inherited via the import statement and only the background-color would have been over riden.
So she is saying this does not have to be done. Don't have to touch the modules at all. So obviousy i would like to know how. I am always looking for easier ways to do things.
It's a good explanation of how the template system works.
dolphin_jay, if you want to replace the stat images in your new template, name the picture the same name and the template will assume the new picture you have included.
The template system will cascade style sheets but images, html files and php files. It's all there. It will carry through to the modules.
You will need to adjust some files in the forum and the php file see more
@import url(../../base/css/common.css);
.boxContent {
background-color: #000;
}
.daily_quotes {
color:#fff;
@import url(../../base/css/common.css);
.boxContent {
background-color: #000;
}
.daily_quotes {
color:#fff;
}
Don't take anything personal.. We just want Boonex to wake up from their beauty sleep and get back to re-work the modules, this is a key requirement for the future of this Dolphin version and also for the incoming 8th version (released probably this autumn).
I have some experience with Dolphin templates and I guarantee you that:
1. Every new main template installed make forum don't work - requires a manual fix every time..
2. If you create a black template, many see more
Me? Take it personally? Never!
Could you provide me with an example of css you cannot get to cascade through to the modules? Thanks.
http://www.boonex.com/unity/forums/#topic/Dolphin-7-Templates-Tutorial.htm
That shows how to deal with the modules. The same concept applies to the forum as well. I will do that one when I have more time.
By the way, I just went to your site Mastermindsro and those templates look NICE!