Beginner's Guide

Chapter 17
Working with Templates
To be able to work with templates, you will not only need good design skills but also have an
understanding of HTML and CSS. Some browsers, unfortunately, will not display the latest versions,
which is why other versions are still quite common.
The next challenge is the never ending discussion between developers and designers about 'how to do
things the right way'. Designers depend on developers because they need HTML markup with a
possibility to add CSS classes. Developers also depend on designers because without a well-designed
template the best component will be difficult to use.
Joomla has built-in solutions for both challenges!
The Beez Template also exists as an XHTML and a HTML5 version and the suitable HTML
markup and CSS classes are created with so-called Overrides. Overrides means that a designer can override
the HTML output the developer's extension produces, without changing the original source code.
Another important agent in the template industry is 'Joe Webmaster'. Often, he only wants to change
the header graphic, the colors, the width and a few other options.
Joomla again has the perfect solution for doing this and it is called Te m p la te S t yl e. Te mp l at e S t yl e means
that you can create any number of copies of an existing Te mp l at e S t yl e to configure your own set of
options and assign it to all or various menu items. Have a look back at the chapter Templates and come
back for a deeper insight.
CREATE YOUR OWN STYLE
In the chapter about Multi-Language Websites, we built a website based on the Beez2 template. Now
I would like to create my own style and change a few options in Extensions - Template Manager - Beez2
default. These changes are as follows:
•
Style name: Beez2 - cocoate
•
Logo: I do not want a logo, so I click the Clear Button
•
Site Title: Joomla
•
Site Description: cocoate - consulting, coaching, teaching
•
Template color: Nature
I save the style as a copy by clicking the Save as Copy icon (Figure 1).
Joomla! 2.5 - Beginner’s Guide
Monday, 30 January 2012! Page 192