ok. i'm pretty sure i didn't ever do that on my 1.3.8 installation.

i thought just by virtue of having a differently-named folder, zen cart knew to look in there. all the instructions say create the /my_template/ folder, but i missed the template_info.php instructions over 2 years of reading these forums and phutzing with this product.

no wonder it never seemed like the template files were doing anything. what a mess i've made. thank you thank you.