Mt - Customizing Layout

[maggieroofus]

I'm currently trying (without much success) to customize my MT layout for a simple photoblog.

 

Not being the most fluent in code as it is I'm finding trying to understand the MT code to be very daunting. The most frustrating problem is that I can't seem to find anyone who can or is willing to really explain to me detailed specifics.

 

I've had people tell me and I've read that you can design your site using plain HTML in Dreamweaver, etc and place it in MT. But I can't find anywhere that gives the specifics on HOW to actually do it. A step-by-step tutorial (with images) would be my best friend right about now. I understand that it goes in the "main index" template, but I'm not sure how or where to place it.

 

Here is a screen shot of what I've done in Dreamweaver ...

 

 

http://moonjuice.smugmug.com/photos/23165202-O.jpg

 

My goal is for the centered image with any text and comment links underneath.

 

I also need to add "previous" and "next" navigation somewhere in there. I was going to use a mapped image, but can't get a straight answer on how to map it for MT. I know how to do basic hot spot mapping in Dreamweaver for a regular site, but not to work in MT.

 

Archives - I want it to go with the rest of the design. And does that code go into the "master archive index". If so, then where?

 

And I'm assuming if I want a separate page for links that it will need to be done and linked to outside of the MT platform since there isn't an option for anything line that. Or do you create an other index page for it?

 

Then there's the style-sheet ... I understand some CSS, but not all.

 

So basically I'm looking for some direction on where to find this information. I could really, really go for a "Teach Yourself Visually" book on all of this, but one doesn't seem to exist.

 

Oh, and if anyone wants to see what it currently looks like here's the link ...

 

http://www.moonjuice.us/

[marie b.]

From what I'm seeing, you want a one-column blog with navigation above the posts, and text below the photos in each post?

 

I've done this with my blog, and it validates as pure CSS too.

 

You can take a look at the CSS here, and my blog here, and tell me if it's the sort of thing you're after.

 

If so, I could give you tips on editing the templates.

 

The image mapping, however, is something I've never done but which should slide in easily.

Edited May 27, 2005 by marie b.

[maggieroofus]

From what I'm seeing, you want a one-column blog with navigation above the posts, and text below the photos in each post?

 

I've done this with my blog, and it validates as pure CSS too.

 

You can take a look at the CSS here, and my blog here, and tell me if it's the sort of thing you're after.

 

If so, I could give you tips on editing the templates.

 

The image mapping, however, is something I've never done but which should slide in easily.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Yes, that is very much what I'm looking for!

 

I finally got it to where I can live with it until I figure everything else out. But I really, really want the one column thing going on. For some reason the side bar just gets on my nerves with photo blogs. I'm weird like that.

 

I've let go of the idea of image mapping for now. I'll just be happy to get it centered the way I want and get my archives and links how I want them. I'd like to have my master archive page display by category and by month. I'm having a bit of trouble comprehending how to do that though.

 

I'm off to grab the CSS and check it out. Thank you so much for your help

[marie b.]

No problem.

 

Feel free to edit the CSS and play around with it. You might need tips on where I put each tag to get everything fine, or you can handle it yourself - I'm not sure.

 

It'll be the same for each template too, which is handy.

 

For the archives, use this :

><MTSubCategories>
<MTSubCatIsFirst><ul></MTSubCatIsFirst>
<MTIfNonZero tag="MTCategoryCount">
<li><a title="<$MTCategoryCount$> post(s)" href="<$MTCategoryArchiveLink$>" title="<$MTCategoryDescription$>"><MTCategoryLabel></a>
<MTElse>
<li><MTCategoryLabel>
</MTElse>
</MTIfNonZero>
<MTSubCatsRecurse max_depth="3">
</li>
<MTSubCatIsLast></ul></MTSubCatIsLast>
</MTSubCategories>
<br />
<br />
<ul><MTArchiveList archive_type="Monthly">
<li><a class="plain" href="<$MTArchiveLink$>"><$MTArchiveDate format="%B %Y"$></a></li><br />
</MTArchiveList></ul>

[maggieroofus]

No problem.

 

Feel free to edit the CSS and play around with it. You might need tips on where I put each tag to get everything fine, or you can handle it yourself - I'm not sure.

 

It'll be the same for each template too, which is handy.

 

For the archives, use this :

><MTSubCategories>
<MTSubCatIsFirst><ul></MTSubCatIsFirst>
<MTIfNonZero tag="MTCategoryCount">
<li><a title="<$MTCategoryCount$> post(s)" href="<$MTCategoryArchiveLink$>" title="<$MTCategoryDescription$>"><MTCategoryLabel></a>
<MTElse>
<li><MTCategoryLabel>
</MTElse>
</MTIfNonZero>
<MTSubCatsRecurse max_depth="3">
</li>
<MTSubCatIsLast></ul></MTSubCatIsLast>
</MTSubCategories>
<br />
<br />
<ul><MTArchiveList archive_type="Monthly">
<li><a class="plain" href="<$MTArchiveLink$>"><$MTArchiveDate format="%B %Y"$></a></li><br />
</MTArchiveList></ul>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Okay, this is going to sound silly, bt does this go into the master archives template? If so, then does it matter where? Or does it take place of what's there already? I've gotten so many error messages with the MT code that I'm a bit paranoid

 

Also, would you happen to know where I would add code to get "previous" and next" navigation for my photos?

[marie b.]

Assuming you haven't already changed the Master Archive template it some way, it goes in place of this :

 

 

><h2>Archives</h2>
<p>
<MTArchiveList>
<a href="<$MTArchiveLink$>"><$MTArchiveTitle$></a><br />
</MTArchiveList>
</p>

 

Next & Previous links use this code :

><MTEntryPrevious><a href="<$MTEntryPermalink$>" title="previous entry">«</a></MTEntryPrevious> <MTEntryNext><a href="<$MTEntryPermalink$>"  title="next entry">»</a></MTEntryNext>

[maggieroofus]

Assuming you haven't already changed the Master Archive template it some way, it goes in place of this :

 

 

><h2>Archives</h2>
<p>
<MTArchiveList>
<a href="<$MTArchiveLink$>"><$MTArchiveTitle$></a><br />
</MTArchiveList>
</p>

 

Next & Previous links use this code :

><MTEntryPrevious><a href="<$MTEntryPermalink$>" title="previous entry">«</a></MTEntryPrevious> <MTEntryNext><a href="<$MTEntryPermalink$>"  title="next entry">»</a></MTEntryNext>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

WOO HOO! Re: the archives - got it!

 

You rock

 

Does it matter where the "previous/next" code goes in the template?

[marie b.]

If you want everything in one column, then I'd either go with putting it at the top of the page, between the post and your navigation . .

 

. . or on the same line as your comment / trackback links.

[maggieroofus]

If you want everything in one column, then I'd either go with putting it at the top of the page, between the post and your navigation . .

 

. . or on the same line as your comment / trackback links.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Thank you SO much. You have no idea how helpful you've been

 

One more question. What's the best way to design a links pages and incorporate it into the MT platform? Do you just create a new template for it?

[marie b.]

Create a new index template (on the Templates page), add the same barebones CSS tags as the other templates, and hardcode some links onto it - or drop in a Blogroll.

 

Then link to it with your navigation.

[maggieroofus]

Create a new index template (on the Templates page), add the same barebones CSS tags as the other templates, and hardcode some links onto it - or drop in a Blogroll.

 

Then link to it with your navigation. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sounds easy enough. Which means I'll probably mess it up

 

I think I'm going to try and get this thing centered before I do that though.

 

Thank you again. I really appreciate your help.

[marie b.]

If you use center tags around the content, then that should center it.

 

It'll also validate as XHTML, and the CSS should validate as pure even after you'v edited it.

 

And no problem

[maggieroofus]

If you use center tags around the content, then that should center it.

 

It'll also validate as XHTML, and the CSS should validate as pure even after you'v edited it.

 

And no problem

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

What about getting rid of the side bar?

Edited May 27, 2005 by maggieroofus

[marie b.]

You could add a link to the archives to your navigation, or have a second text navigation bar at the bottom.

 

For the recent entries, if you want to keep them . . I've no idea, although if you're using Next / Previous then there isn't really a need for Recent Entries.

 

The buttons and Creative Commons could go along the bottom, too - since there will only be one post per page, there wouldn't be a lot to scroll through for people to see them.

 

Just delete the tags around the sidebar content, and shift the content to where you want it to go.

Edited May 27, 2005 by marie b.

[maggieroofus]

You could add a link to the archives to your navigation, or have a second text navigation bar at the bottom.

 

For the recent entries, if you want to keep them . . I've no idea, although if you're using Next / Previous then there isn't really a need for Recent Entries.

 

The buttons and Creative Commons could go along the bottom, too - since there will only be one post per page, there wouldn't be a lot to scroll through for people to see them.

 

Just delete the tags around the sidebar content, and shift the content to where you want it to go.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Okay, yeah ... how to get rid of it was basically what I was wanting to know.

 

Do I need to get rid of it in the main index or just the CSS - or both?

[marie b.]

Just the main index.

[maggieroofus]

Just the main index.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thanks!

 

I'm going to go see if I can do something constructive with all this information

 

Oh, one more thing before I go tackle this. With the "previous and next" navigation, do yo know how to make it display the previous and next entries in the format of the main page instead of the permalink page?

 

I hope that made sense.

Edited May 27, 2005 by maggieroofus

[marie b.]

You mean can you get the templates to look identical?

 

Just use the same CSS and template structure for the Individual templates.

 

If you mean cycle through the entries without the URL changing from the main index . . I don't think that's possible.

[TweezerMan]

Not being the most fluent in code as it is I'm finding trying to understand the MT code to be very daunting.  The most frustrating problem is that I can't seem to find anyone who can or is willing to really explain to me detailed specifics.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, you've come to the right place then!

 

I've had people tell me and I've read that you can design your site using plain HTML in Dreamweaver, etc and place it in MT.  But I can't find anywhere that gives the specifics on HOW to actually do it.  A step-by-step tutorial (with images) would be my best friend right about now.  I understand that it goes in the "main index" template, but I'm not sure how or where to place it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, you can design your site in DreamWeaver and have it placed where MT will use it. What they're probably talking about is MT's "Link this template to a file" feature. When you link an MT template to a file on the server, you can edit the linked file on the server, and when you rebuild your weblog, MT will read any changes in the linked file, update the template in the MT database, then write the new page to the server.

 

In your case, what a linked template allows you to do is create or edit a template in DreamWeaver on your machine. When you are finished, you use DreamWeaver's built-in FTP to upload the new template to the server, overwriting the previously existing linked template file. Then you rebuild your weblog, and MT will read the new template file you uploaded via DreamWeaver to build the page.

 

The first thing you'd need to do is create a directory to hold the linked template files - you don't want them in the same directory as your weblog pages. I usually create a directory for them in my MT directory (the directory where mt.cgi is located). If you plan on having more than one weblog, I'd suggest creating a separate directory for each weblog's templates - the file names get very messy and confusing if template files for several weblogs are mixed together in one directory.

 

In your FTP program, or CPanel's File Manager, navigate to your public_html/mt directory. Create a new directory and name it "templates".

 

Now that you have a place to store the linked template files, you need to configure MT to link a template to a file, and tell MT where the linked template file will be.

 

Log into mt.cgi, and click on the "Templates" link for your weblog. Click the "Main Index" link to edit your main index template. In the "Link this template to a file" box, enter the server path and filename you want to use for the linked template file:

>/home/cpanelName/public_html/mt/templates/main_index.tmpl

The path above is the server path to the "templates" directory you created earlier (be sure to replace 'cpanelName' with your actual CPanel username), and the name "main_index.tmpl" is whatever name you want to use for the linked template file so you know what it is. I use ".tmpl" file extensions so I know that the files are templates and not true HTML files that should be served by the web server.

 

After entering the linked template file name, click the Save button. MT will save the path and filename for the linked file in the MT database, and automatically create the "main_index.tmpl" file in the public_html/mt/templates directory.

 

The above step will need to be repeated for each template that you want to link to a file (and thus be able to edit from DreamWeaver).

 

I've never used DreamWeaver, so I'm not sure how you need to set it up to work with the linked template file. You may need to download the linked template file first, so you have a copy of the template locally to edit, containing both the HTML and MT tags necessary to build a weblog page.

 

Once you have a copy of the template to work with, you should be able to edit it normally in DreamWeaver, and when you are finished, upload it to the public_html/mt/templates directory to have MT use the new template. After a linked template file has been updated, rebuild your weblog to see the changes reflected on your weblog pages.

 

The only caveat I've heard in working with MT templates in DreamWeaver is that if you're not careful, DreamWeaver may mangle MT tags in the template, because DreamWeaver doesn't recognize them.

 

I also need to add "previous" and "next" navigation somewhere in there.  I was going to use a mapped image, but can't get a straight answer on how to map it for MT.  I know how to do basic hot spot mapping in Dreamweaver for a regular site, but not to work in MT.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't believe it would that much different for MT, but to generate "previous" and "next" links, your code would need to use MT tags in certain places so MT will insert the correct links for you.

 

Archives - I want it to go with the rest of the design.  And does that code go into the "master archive index".  If so, then where?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It would go into "Master Archive Index" template (although technically it's an index template, not an archive template), but it would also need to go into any true archive templates that you are using on your weblog (Category Archive, Date-Based Archive, Individual Entry Archive).

 

And I'm assuming if I want a separate page for links that it will need to be done and linked to outside of the MT platform since there isn't an option for anything line that.  Or do you create an other index page for it?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You would just create another index template for your links page. You can create a link to the page by using the MTLink template tag:

><a href="<$MTLink template="Links Template"$>">My Links Page</a>

...where "Links Template" is the name of the template you created.

 

It looks like Marie has your other questions covered.

[maggieroofus]

You mean can you get the templates to look identical?

 

Just use the same CSS and template structure for the Individual templates. 

 

If you mean cycle through the entries without the URL changing from the main index . . I don't think that's possible.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Hmmm, here, let me get the link to a friend's site. It's easier than trying to explain

 

http://www.penelopesloom.com/

 

If you toggle through her previous and next navigation you'll see what I mean.

Edited May 27, 2005 by maggieroofus

[marie b.]

Wow . . that's one huge post up there.

 

maggieroofus, I think you want the individual archives to look like the main index - same images and colors and general layout?

 

So just use the same CSS and template - copy the entire Main Index after you've edited it to your liking and paste it somewhere like Notepad. Then copy the entry code from the Individual template, paste it in place of the entry code on your copied Main Index template, paste that in it's entirity into the Individual Template . . and there you go.

 

That's how I got all of my pages to look alike, anyway.

 

It's a bit convoluted, but it works.

[TweezerMan]

Wow . . that's one huge post up there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry - I was just answering a question with step-by-step instructions (but no pictures).

[marie b.]

Wow . . that's one huge post up there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry - I was just answering a question with step-by-step instructions (but no pictures).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Oh no, I just thought I'd answered on the wrong thread, since I didn't remember a big post and then BAM! there it was.

 

I panicked a little.

[maggieroofus]

Wow . . that's one huge post up there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry - I was just answering a question with step-by-step instructions (but no pictures).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That's okay. I'll forgive the no pictures

 

I think I'm going to print your instructions out so I can study them when I'm more coherent.

[TweezerMan]

Oh no, I just thought I'd answered on the wrong thread, since I didn't remember a big post and then BAM! there it was. 

 

I panicked a little.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It was similar for me - when I started writing that post, there weren't any replies yet. After I finished it and did my first preview, there were 15 replies.

[maggieroofus]

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain all of this. I'm definitely going to print this and keep it on hand.

 

With marie b.'s help I've been able to get this thing to really statr looking the way I want.

 

My one sticking point at the moment though it trying to get navigation between entries (I'm only having one entry display at a time) using previous and next, but having it toggle through the main page and not the permalink entries.

 

Does that make sense? Here's a link to an example.

 

http://www.penelopesloom.com/

 

Any ideas what I would put in place of the MTPermaLink attribute to get it to stay with the main index layout?

[marie b.]

I can't really see what you mean, other than having the same layout for the Individual entries as for the Main Index - so it looks like the exact same page, but with a different photo and text ..

 

.. the solution to which I mentioned up there. ^

 

Other than that . . I've no idea.

 

If you don't want the comment boxes to show - as they don't on the main index - then I'd suggest going for pop-up comments, as the Individual template is always where the comment form is for inline comments.

Edited May 27, 2005 by marie b.

[maggieroofus]

I can't really see what you mean, other than having the same layout for the Individual entries as for the Main Index - so it looks like the exact same page, but with a different photo and text ..

 

.. the solution to which I mentioned up there. ^ 

 

Other than that . . I've no idea.

 

If you don't want the comment boxes to show - as they don't on the main index - then I'd suggest going for pop-up comments, as the Individual template is always where the comment form is for inline comments.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Okay. I didn't realize that's how that was done. I thought you were answering something else. Sorry about that

[marie b.]

No problem.

 

The way I do things is super-convoluted, so even I get confused sometimes.

[maggieroofus]

Wow . . that's one huge post up there.

 

maggieroofus, I think you want the individual archives to look like the main index - same images and colors and general layout?

 

So just use the same CSS and template - copy the entire Main Index after you've edited it to your liking and paste it somewhere like Notepad. Then copy the entry code from the Individual template, paste it in place of the entry code on your copied Main Index template, paste that in it's entirity into the Individual Template . . and there you go.

 

That's how I got all of my pages to look alike, anyway.

 

It's a bit convoluted, but it works.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Okay. This makes sense now

[marie b.]

Excellent.

 

It should be easy sailing from now on.