dreamweaver template tutorial

[mambosolutions]

Mambo Template Tutorial

http://www.mambosolutions.com/dw_tutorial


I am writing a tutorial on how to build your own mambo templates using my dreamweaver template builder extension and MSAS. This will be naturally for Windows users, but the basics of the template building process may be of interest to all.

FAQ's:

Q: hey mambosolutions.. been trying to use your tutorial but i keep getting this error with the template i am trying to create:
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: mosshowhead() in W:\www\Mambo45\templates\FMX\index.php on line 7

A: That usually indicates that you are using an older version of Mambo. The function mosshowhead was implemented in Mambo 4.5.1a. if you are running mambo 4.5.1 (without the a) then you need to upgrade your mambo installation.

Q: I try to download the MSAS or the Dreamweaver mambo extension, but the site is down, where can I get them?

A: Both those files are hosted at mamboforge.net which is run by the folks that run mambo - i am not associated with it and do not have any influence whether that server is down. I have made links to JSAS and the Dreamweaver plugin on other servers:

JSAS: http://jsas.joomlasolutions.com

Free mambo / Joomla dreamweaver template extension: http://www.joomlathemes.org

[mambosolutions]

here is a preview...this is what i accomplished so far today...

http://www.mambosolutions.com/dw_tutorial/

far from done...

[moxy]

Wow, talk about tutorialus interruptus! ;-)

Just so you know, everything works perfectly - I followed step by step, including installing MSAS - without a hitch.

Only difference is, I'm using Dreamweaver MX, so there are some interface differences, particularly in terms of table creation, but poking around the interface I quickly discovered the method to create the three vertically-stacked tables.

Keep going - this is like following a movie serial. I'm particularly keen on seeing how I can use MSAS as the test server by creating the Dreamweaver site - is that coming next <he asked hopefully>?

And most importantly: thanks for this. I've been wanting to start creating templates and this tut allowed me to dive into the deepend. What a great community this is...

Cheers,
jrc

[mambosolutions]

Thanks for the positive feedback Jesse, I am working away on the next part of the tutorial...and yes, soon comes the part using MSAS as a local preview for the template....so far I have about 4 hours into the tutorial believe it or not...things always take way longer than you plan

I am glad at least someone is finding it useful, the efforts I made so far.

[moxy]

Take your time - just wanted you to know that everything was working fine.

Did have a bit of a strange occurence. Started poking around with MSAS and was informed that "Whoops! There was an error starting MSAS ... usually because another apache or mySQL running on this machine..." or words to that effect.

No worries, I'm not asking you to start supporting that here. Don't recall ever installing any instances of Apache or mySQL on the machine I'm working on - and don't know how to check if there are any - but will mess around on my own ans search forums for solutions. Just wanted to send the flare up in case you might think it has something to do with the install that I've done via the tutorial (i.e. a step left out from the install instructions or whatever.)

Cheers
J

[mambosolutions]

well since I am also the developer of MSAS i dont see a reason to not try to help

try is the key word

hmm. open up your services manager in Windows:

Start>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services

check to see if any instances of Apache or MySql are installed and running


-or-

Ctrl+Alt+Del

>

Processes Tab

Look for

Apache.exe

mysql-opt.exe

If you see either of those running then you can right clcik them and 'end process'

otherwise I have no clue!

[moxy]

No sweat - found the issue in this thread about firefox / msas compatability

I just changed my default browser back to IE :sad: and msas runs fine.

You mentioned in the other thread that you were still using 0.7 Firefox - I'm on 0.9.3 and that seems to be where the issue is.

– But we can live with it! Don't abandon the tutorial to update msas - remember how I mentioned I was on the edge of my seat

I'm off to update the other post, just so the user over there doesn't think he's imagining things...

By the way, that's the first "whoops" I've received in an error message. Nice.

J

[mambosolutions]

thanks for the 'heads up' moxy....weard, but what isnt whenyou are dealing with this kind of technology

i will investigate

[mambosolutions]

ok i installed firefox 0.9.3, set it as my default browser, fired up MSAS, which started ok, but then I get an error message: Error opening file. File not found. http://localhost/msas451

( i am using new MSAS that I am deving for the upcoming 451)

but the browser still loads the mambo just fine...very strange...

will keep investigating....

[moxy]

The same thing happens with the current MSAS and Firefox 9 - mambo still loads in spite of the error message, but you can't access any of the control panel stuff on the msas. As long as you don't click ok on the error message, you're still in business with the localhost/mambo.

cheers,
Jesse

[tjay]

Man I hate it when you folks announce neat stuff and I am stuck at work and cant play.
I have my samual smiths old brewery pale ale poured and am diving in.
This is a fantastic combo and I never did it get it tweaked right, Looking forward to this
Thanks for all the good work

TJay

[tjay]

Ohhhhh Man
Cliff Hanger.
I know how to do this, but was really enjoying your tutorial and then boom it stopped lol

I look forward to seeing the rest of this esp how to get these two working together.

BTW when will you be updating the DW extension? The only thing I would suggest is adding the code to check for editor privalages before loading the editor.

Thanks again.

TJay

[mambosolutions]

As I said, this is a preview...far from done! Besides, I know you all really like cliffhangers eh

Glad to hear you enjoyed it so far. Hopefully I will find time to continue it today.

Yes, at some point I will update my DW extension, as soon as I figure what all needs to be put in and what needs to be put away.

Originally Posted by mambosolutions

here is a preview...this is what i accomplished so far today...

http://www.mambosolutions.com/dw_tutorial/

far from done...

[TimR]

Ok, I'm going to get some lunch, Ill expect this done when I get back.



;-)

[mambosolutions]

i hope for your sake that you are extremely hungry and the service is reaaalllly slowwwww

Originally Posted by TimR

Ok, I'm going to get some lunch, Ill expect this done when I get back.



;-)

[pixelsoul]

Yeah this will be a usefull resource for beginners with templates, one thing though perhaps you can update the code for the editor:

PHP Code:

<?php
if($my->id){   
    if(@$_REQUEST["task"] == "edit" || @$_REQUEST["task"] == "new") {
        include ("editor/editor.php");
        initEditor();
    }
}
?>

This way it will not load the editor for normal visitors but only when you are actually editing something.


*edit Oh yeah and it would be nice if you cleared the javascript, it's unlikely a site will get many hits from netscape 4 also it's best if all javascript gets inserted into a seperate .js file

[mambosolutions]

pixelsoul, your feedback is appreciated and you are correct.

Concerning the javascript and the editor code, I am making this tutorial for the DW extension for people who are new to template design, and since it already has this code in it, and the whole point about this tutorial is to keep it simple for a newcommer to create a basic template, I will try not to confuse them As i stated in the tutorial, there are dozens of ways to build a template, I am showing how I do it.

as I stated in an earlier post, i will be updating the DW extension at some point, at that time i will update the editor code.
i will add the new editor code as an optional step in the tutorial

[TimR]

Man that service was slow! Ok, now back to the templates.


Seriously though, I'm new to Mambo and new to template design - I cant wait to get stuck into this (I'm an OSX user though - but sure that wont be a problem). Thanks for taking the time to do this!

[mambosolutions]

thanks for taking the time to say 'thanks' Tim, i appreciate that. Although you will be somehwat limited because of OSX, (can't run MSAS) hopefully the tutorial will still basically teach you how to get your head around mambo template creation. It actually fun for me to do this, as I always believe that if you take the time to teach someone else something that you have learned, it makes you better at it. It points out your faults, which is a good thing to anyone who wants to continually better themselves.

enough philosophy! I must go home and eat dinner, then perhaps later this evening i will find the motivation to continue.

I already added Chris's (Pixelsouls) suggestion about the editor code...very cool. Perhaps if other template designers read this and have some suggestions, this could become an even more educational and valuable tutorial to the community.

[TimR]

Originally Posted by mambosolutions

Although you will be somehwat limited because of OSX, (can't run MSAS) hopefully the tutorial will still basically teach you how to get your head around mambo template creation.

OSX has its own Apache/php/sql server built in (well my machine has at least) will that do instead?

Also what I'm hoping to do is to convert an existing page to work with mambo (I have to start somewhere!) by making the necessary changes to the index page.

Tim