What did I do wrong?

[landsknecht]

After trying many other solutions, I'm back with Zen, but I seem to have forgotten a LOT!

I'm doing a clean install and making a custom template. I've tried the steps outlined in many places and keep getting the same results. Even simply doing a direct copy of the default_template gets me the attached "copy.jpg".

The default looks like attached "default.jpg"

So why, even with a direct copy, do I get that frankenstein thing?

Thanks in advance,
Stephen

[landsknecht]

I think I may have stumbled onto something... The default template that Zen uses ISN'T "template_default" is it?? I think it is using the "classic" as a default...

So then does that mean that the "template_default" is that horribly ugly layout I'm getting? So if we are supposed to use "template_default" as a starting point for custom templates, why isn't that the one that Zen defaults to? Or am I just cranky?

[Kim]

If you look at the files in the classic template you'll see that all of the changes from the template_default to the classic are accomplished using NOTHING except the stylesheet and some images.

So re-read the tutorials. You do not need to copy any files unless you are modifying them. Try downloading some of the contributed custom templates and see how they are constructed.