Template change and installation

[RobertR]

My first post and I'm very happy to be here.

I just started a new position and I will be in charge of the website. The first time I ever checked out the site I'll be in charge of was 2 days ago not even 48 hours ago actually and I registered here yesterday.

I'd like to change the template first of all. Can someone point me in the right direction? I did find this site http://(sorry, site offline)/

When I change the template all the current information on the site will be transferred along with the template installation correct?

Again, brand new here and to Zen Cart so I'm just literally getting my feet wet.

Thank you and I look forward to your responses.

[stevesh]

If you mean products, customers, etc., yes. Changing the template will only change the appearance of your site.

I'd suggest you spend some time going through the Tutorials/FAQ section above.

That template site is a good place to start. Find a few you like the look of, and install them (you can have as many templates as you want installed, and switch among them with a couple of clicks in Admin.

I also suggest you install the Firefox browser and the Web Developer plugin. A great tool for examining how templates work.

[RobertR]

If you mean products, customers, etc., yes. Changing the template will only change the appearance of your site.

I'd suggest you spend some time going through the Tutorials/FAQ section above.

That template site is a good place to start. Find a few you like the look of, and install them (you can have as many templates as you want installed, and switch among them with a couple of clicks in Admin.

I also suggest you install the Firefox browser and the Web Developer plugin. A great tool for examining how templates work.

OK, been reading the Tutorials/FAQ section. Ordered the Zen Manual. I've had Firefox for years. I did download and install the Web developer plugin.

I installed a new template, Blue Sky. Some of the information didn't transfer. I thought when you switched templates only the appearance changes the information stays in tact.

[Kim]

Some of the information didn't transfer

Could you be more specific about what is "missing"?

[RobertR]

PHP files that were in the includes/modules/sideboxes/templatename directory.

These files aren't showing now in my admin under tools/layout boxes controller.

Thanks!!

[Kim]

You don't need files in the /sideboxes/ directory - Open your Admin> Tools> Layout Boxes Controller and click the Reset button at the bottom

[RobertR]

OK. I'll try that.

Here's another question.

When I changed templates the site incorporated the appropriate blue_sky template CSS files.

Now the site is alittle messed up.

[RobertR]

You don't need files in the /sideboxes/ directory - Open your Admin> Tools> Layout Boxes Controller and click the Reset button at the bottom

What if I need some of the things/files that were in the prior template?

[RobertR]

I found something now how do I change it?

The widths for the right side in the HTML code are set to 0, while the left side, which is fine is set to 230 px.

Please help!

[gjh42]

That would most likely be an admin setting, in Configuration > Layout Settings > Column Right width and Column Right Boxes width.

A worthwhile exercise is to go through the entire admin panel and at least look at every button and page, even if you think it doesn't apply to you. You never know what may prove relevant, and you may remember seeing it before. (Some of the admin functions are located in unexpected places, as it was built up over the course of several years.)