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How do you modify templates w/o messing it all up?

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How do you modify templates w/o messing it all up?
I'm trying to make minor modifications on the home page to get the right look. I thought I was leaving the "important" part of the code alone, but it still displays wrong. For instance, the category tag shows instead of the actual categories.

Can anyone tell me what I should do, or what I am doing wrong?

Thanks!
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Re: How do you modify templates w/o messing it all up? In reply to
Your question is not clear. An example would have been nice. I went to your site, but everything looks OK. The best part about using templates is that you can modify everything with HTML to suit to your needs, if you leave the "tags" intact. You can move them but compare your original files and make sure they match.
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Re: How do you modify templates w/o messing it all up? In reply to
thanks..
My ? wasn't clear because I really don't know anything about this. I wasn't even sure I could modify the html, but you have verified that I can if I am careful.

The example of what is happening is that "<%category%>" shows up instead of all of my categories.

I'm curious what site you visited?
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Re: How do you modify templates w/o messing it all up? In reply to
Anyone,
I made my site available and reposted the page that isn't displaying correctly. I'm using the yahoo templates, but should I just start with something else since I really don't want my page to look exactly like yahoo? I'm not sure what I can and cannot do.

lessonplanz.com
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Re: How do you modify templates w/o messing it all up? In reply to
HI AtoZ
From what i can see by your code, what ever program you are using to edit with, it is taking our your <% and putting the html text equivalents. You probably used a wysiwyg type editor to edit this template. You need to check and correct your actual html code.
In the html <%category%> should be changed to <%category%>

This is the same for any of the other none working includes. I have used many different programs in my career, so far FrontPage Editor is my choice for making multiple changes, corrections, and updates to templates in a hurry and keep my code intact. If you set up a mock Links directory on your site and start making the necessary changes on your computer, just remember includes usually wont show up on your computer. just remeber where you put them . Use the program to place cursor where you want one then choose show HTML( works in most Wysiwygs) and hard code the includes.

*** A list of includes is in your Admin help area Smile

If you have any further questions or need any help go to www.ebthemeshop.com or send an email to acechase@ebwares.com I am the site administrator and creator. We specialize in making templates and other stuff for a variety of different programs.

Good Luck Smile
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Re: How do you modify templates w/o messing it all up? In reply to
Above the <%category%> on your page actually currently looks like <& lt; %highlight2%&gt ;>
Sorry not use to using this board yet and the code it reads Smile

Im getting ready to post my search directory soon and will probably post links and examples for templates and other issues when i get the chance. Have fun...
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Re: How do you modify templates w/o messing it all up? In reply to
Above the <%category%> on your page actually currently looks like <& lt; %highlight2%&gt ;>
Sorry not use to using this board yet and the code it reads Smile

Im getting ready to post my search directory soon and will probably post links and examples for templates and other issues when i get the chance. Have fun...
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Re: How do you modify templates w/o messing it all up? In reply to
Thanks for your help!

I was wondering if it was the editor that was causing the problem... I'm glad it is, because I can fix that!

Thanks again
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Re: How do you modify templates w/o messing it all up? In reply to
Hello AtoZ,
The site I went to earlier was the url from your post.

Also, that me be an error in the yahoo templates that you are using. I saw some errors associated with those templates posted in another post (I think it is a recent one and you can still look it up).

To answer your question, regarding the confusion about creating your own templates, the best way to do it is to make a page without any "tags" to start with, ie. your header, banner, tables, columns, footer and so on. Save it, launch it in your browser and see if you like the look of it. Once you have tweaked the look and feel of one page, then all you need to do is to cut and paste the "tags" from the original templates in to this page and each time save it as a corresponding file in another directory. Yes, it is a lot of work, but you will appreciate the results.
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Re: How do you modify templates w/o messing it all up? In reply to
Hi again,
Hey Soc,
THanks for pointing out the Yahoo template. I did a full eval on the two (Yahoo and Snap) and if you go to this thread:
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/scripts/forum/resources/Forum3/HTML/001010.html

Some of your answers should be better answered. I see you have ceglobe's links still in the main page which will give you trouble. SO good luck again.

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Re: How do you modify templates w/o messing it all up? In reply to
Socrates - I did not post a link in the original post, which is why I was wondering what site you were viewing. ?? Also, you answered my questions about creating my own templates. I was beginning to wonder if that's all I had to do. Thanks!

eb - I have already read all about the problems others were having with the templates which is why I was frustrated. I hadn't seen anything about the categories not showing up, but I now know it's because of the editor I was using Frown Also, the page I posted as an example was just a rough draft. I haven't changed all of the feature links, etc. yet. I may not even use that template since it has so many other problems. I just installed the script on Monday. Thanks for your help.

If anyone else tries to look at the page I posted above, you probably won't be able to see it because it's password protected. Let me know if it isn't! I have this thing about not wanting anyone see my work until it's finished!