??? Using BareBones to Learn Template Designe???

[wtashby]

I'm wanting to learn how to design templates now, and I'm wondering if using the Barebones template, Firefox with developers tool, admins developers toolkit, and this forum would be just about all I need to get a good head start?

I figure, since Barebones is about a stripped down as you can get, and still have all the functionality of a full template, that would be a good one to start.

Use Firefox to fiddle around with the CSS, and find out where images go, etc.

Any advice or discussion would be VERY welcome at this point.

[stevesh]

Yes, yes,and yes. I have used the bare bones template as a 'starter kit' for a custom template, and it's good for that purpose, as is Simple Zen.

Firefox with Web Developer and/or FireBug, and IE7 (and 8 if you have two machines available). I read the other day that IE6 is still used by ~25% of surfers - that hurts.

Also wouldn't hurt to install Opera and Safari - I've found some differences in the way they render sites.


July 2008

IE7 - 26.4%
IE6 - 25.3%
IE5 - 0.3%
FF - 42.6%
Moz - 0.5%
Opera - 1.9%
Safari - 2.5%

[afo]

If you want to go seriously minimal, use Future Zen. I used that as a starting point for a non-ecommerce Zen Cart I'm working on (perhaps to be unveiled September 1).

[clydejones]

And don't forget the other important basics:

imagination
Paper
Pencil

Put your design ideas down on paper before you start working on your CSS.

[wtashby]

Good. Good. that's what I'm talking about. I want to learn learn LEARN, and I'm sure many MANY other Zenners, as they pick up on this thread would love to get involved as well. (or, at least, I hope the will)

Maybe, those folks out there that have succesfully built anything from basic to extravagant templates might like to drop in and offer up some advice, a snippet of code, or CSS example here and there?

I personally, as time permits, am going to get started on creating my own template starting with Barebones, and working outwards from there.

Who knows, maybe I'll come up with something someone here might like.

[stevesh]

Be sure to post a link when you're ready so we can see what you're doing.

[wtashby]

Will Do!
Hope others will try this as well so we can compare notes

[wtashby]

Ok, I'm starting out with this as my test site, or palette: MY PALETTE

All I've done thus far is upload some products and add a couple of mods just for functionality and to give me something to work around. Kind of like knots in a piece of wood.

[wtashby]

Firefox with Firebug RULES!