n00bster with some serious issues
Hi,
I've started using Drupal yesterday and I've been frustrated ever since. People say it has "a steap learning curve", but to me it's like running into a brick wall.
My issues:
- How can you link from one page to another without having a link in the top menu?
- How to change the size of different sections on the site (header, content, right/left-sidebar etc.)
- Why -when set to "Full HTML"- does drupal NOT listen to correct html codes
- Where can I access some form of CSS file?
I have searched the forums and site -believe me- but it gives no answer to any of these questions. There is NO simple step by step walkthrough of how to start creating a simple web-page.
Even google and youtube couldn't help me out on this. I want to believe that Drupal is good, but so far, I'm only tempted to throw my computer out the window
Greetings
Hi, welcome to the Drupal
Hi, welcome to the Drupal community.
- How can you link from one page to another without having a link in the top menu?
It depends where you want this link to appear. In the content's body text, below the body text, in a sidebar, or elsewhere?
- How to change the size of different sections on the site (header, content, right/left-sidebar etc.)
- Where can I access some form of CSS file?
You can adjust the theme, choose another theme or create one yourself. See http://drupal.org/theme-guide.
- Why -when set to "Full HTML"- does drupal NOT listen to correct html codes
Can you give an example?
Hi, welcome to the Drupal
Hi, welcome to the Drupal community.
- Hi, tnx
- How can you link from one page to another without having a link in the top menu?
It depends where you want this link to appear. In the content's body text, below the body text, in a sidebar, or elsewhere?
- "From one page to another"...by that I mean: I'm on a random page..just some text/info...let's call it the "about us" page. On that page I want to make a reference to the contact page. So somthing like "...bla bla bla..this is what we do. click >here< to see where we are". The part between >< should be a link to another page
- How to change the size of different sections on the site (header, content, right/left-sidebar etc.)
- Where can I access some form of CSS file?
You can adjust the theme, choose another theme or create one yourself. See http://drupal.org/theme-guide.
- No...with that I can only adjust colors. I mean things like the shaping and placing of div's. I want to be able to say: the header should be x-pixels wide and y-pixels high. and so on...Just basic shaping and placing.
- Why -when set to "Full HTML"- does drupal NOT listen to correct html codes
Can you give an example?
- I've copy-pasted the top of a Coda based code from Coda to Droopal. But it ignores some of the tags and leaves sets in directly in the page
The part between >< should be
The part between >< should be a link to another page
OK. I must say: that is not one of the most user friendly things to do with Drupal. Are you using a wysiwyg editor? If not, use the link node module: http://drupal.org/project/link_node. If you do, I don't know the answer right now, you'd probably have to look for a similar module for wysiwyg editors.
No...with that I can only adjust colors. I mean things like the shaping and placing of div's. I want to be able to say: the header should be x-pixels wide and y-pixels high. and so on...Just basic shaping and placing.
I think you didn't really understand the power of Drupal theming. There's a lot to read, and yes, there is a learning curve, but trust me: you can do almost anything with your theme.
the top of a Coda based code
Do you mean including javascript? That's correct, js is filtered out. Again, thee theming guide is a good starting point: http://drupal.org/node/171213.
OK. I must say: that is not
OK. I must say: that is not one of the most user friendly things to do with Drupal. Are you using a wysiwyg editor? If not, use the link node module: http://drupal.org/project/link_node. If you do, I don't know the answer right now, you'd probably have to look for a similar module for wysiwyg editors.
So in an application that creates websites, you have to download an additional module to be able to make a decent URL?
To me that's a major design flaw
I think you didn't really understand the power of Drupal theming. There's a lot to read, and yes, there is a learning curve, but trust me: you can do almost anything with your theme.
How? Why? When? Who? What? Some explanation of this would be useful
No-offence, but everything I searched for on the forums, site and google gave pretty much the same answer. They all talk about "The GREAT MAJESTIC POWER of Drupal" Without ever explaining anything. They just say "Yes you can".
the top of a Coda based code
Do you mean including javascript? That's correct, js is filtered out. Again, thee theming guide is a good starting point: http://drupal.org/node/171213.
Nope. Not JS. This is at the top of my page:
oh...And comments. When I put something between HTML comment "markers" it indeed leaves out the comment, but does place the markers themself ( )
How? Why? When? Who? What?
How? Why? When? Who? What? Some explanation of this would be useful
Have you come across the forum posting guidelines already? If not: they are on http://drupal.org/forum-posting. Especially points 5 and 6 are relevant here: Provide detailed specifics and describe what you've done so far. I've pointed you at the theming guide, which contains a lot of information about theming. If that doesn't answer all your questions, feel free to ask again, but try to be more specific. Tell us which theme you're using, which changes you made, which documentation you've read, what you want to achieve. If possible, post a link to your test site so we can have a look. There are a lot of people out here who love to help, but we're all volunteers. That's why we expect you to dig into this yourself, read those documentation pages, try to climb that learning curve, and ask specific questions when you get stuck.
BTW, if you want to post code here, make sure you wrap it in <code>...</code> tags.
couple of things
"The part between >< should be a link to another page"
Use an href like you would on any web page. You'll be referring to the node number unless/until you start using something like the pathauto module (which improves the readability/searchability of your urls).
=====
"Where can I access some form of CSS file?"
Two things. You'll have css files in the themes folder - look there. Also, I'm not sure what you meant when responding to marc, "...with that I can only adjust colors." He directed you to theming - if you want control over everything, that's the place to start exploring.
====
I'll let others with the skills speak to your Coda issues.
Best,
pV
Use an href like you would on
Use an href like you would on any web page. You'll be referring to the node number unless/until you start using something like the pathauto module (which improves the readability/searchability of your urls).
I tried, but it doesn't work. I've tried the entire url of the page I want to go to, I've tried only the name, tried with or without .html at the end
No such luck
if you want control over everything, that's the place to start exploring
Same goes for you....some explaining would be helpfull. You just say "Yep..It can be done. Good luck with that".
that's not helping
Otherwise thank you for your time :)
Hrefs work fine
...try using the FCK editor module. Makes life a bit easier.
Also, it sounds like you may know a bit of CSS. Start with the Zen theme and build on it. Documentation is pretty good.
Expect a month of blood and sweat however. Drupal doesn't come easy, but it rewards.
I'm really starting to hate
I'm really starting to hate those modules
you download this thing, which is supposed to be an awesome CMS...but once downloaded it turns out to be incomplete.
I'm very close to going back to Coda and just start to type in normal html/css.
You don't downlaod a shooter game, just to find out that you have to download a module for walking. And than a module for looking around. And than a module to have guns. And than....you get the point
You shouldn't hate modules -
You shouldn't hate modules - learn to love them!
Some people call Drupal a Content Management System; others call it a Content Management Framework. I think this illustrates the nature of Drupal; it meant to be used as a CMS, but the structure is rather framework-ish. The Drupal core should be lean, flexible and extendable. Lots of features are available in modules, so you can choose the modules you need. Imagine a package that contains everything that anyone could ever desire... it would be a huge download, a nightmare to maintain, overwhelming for new users and it would take years to develop a new version.
Hi
Welcome to drupal, its been hard for me too but here I think I can help a little.
For the links you can do them just like you do them in plain HTML, create the target page and copy the link from the browser bar, if you don't have pathauto module activated it will be something like www.site.com/node/some-number.
My suggestion for the size or best said "layout" of different pages can be achieved by creating specific page.tpl.php files for the site linking the sections to diferent classes of css for every file. I don't know if this is the best or most "performance breaker" thing to do, but could be a solution (I'm a noob too).
On the other hand... if you just want to do this for every page in your site try going to the theme files (if you are using the default go to site/themes if not go to sites/all/themes) I recomend you to start using starter themes taht are well documented in drupal.org, the original author's page or even well commented inside the theme's files. An option that helped me a lot to understand the complexities of theming was Genesis others prefer Zen theme. Both have extensive documentation and even good videos/podcast explanations....
The HTML thing... I honestly don't know, I have not encountered any problem.
Hope I've helped you in any way.
I'll try the URL part tnx
I'll try the URL part tnx :)
As for the layout: sorry but..NO. I'm not going to create a PHP file for something as simple as that.
#header{
height:150px;
width: 860px;
}
How can this not be done?
Is Drupal "reverse engineerd" (for lack of a better term) from a good site or something?
You can do the most outrageous things. Everything is possible..but for the most basic, simple and NECESSARY layout designing, you have to mod, crack and code your way, just for a simple lay-out...again...major design flaw if you ask me
Not really
Not really...
I've put my site together with Drupal without writing any php and just a bit of CSS:
www.ishigaki-japan.com
I started 5 months ago with no experience and I'm getting quite a bit of traffic now. I roll out a Japanese version next week.
You do have issues...
Never mind about that. Creating php templates is only for if you really want to change the structural layout of the HTML. Just messing with css margins and stuff is done exactly as described in the first reply here (which you refused to believe?) by editing the theme css.
If
#header{height:150px;
width: 860px;
}
did not have the desired effect when you put it in your themes
style.cssfile, then maybe you can look at it with firebug (as described here) and find out what's going wrong for you. Probably just syntax, so read up on CSS, and be sure to validate.You really need to start with the core concepts of theming before complaining about "design flaws".
.dan.
True
He's right. I remember coming to Drupal and hearing that I'd have to learn Php. I kind of accepted this as I'm fluent in c++ and c#, however, the reality was that this simply wasn't the case. There are a couple of things which I'd like to do now which may require a bit of Php, but its certainly not essential.
I've read so many times in reviews - Joomla if you know CSS and Drupal if you know PHP. Actually, from what I gather working with CSS in Drupal is far easier than it is in Joomla. It's extremely flexible.
My advice is to learn the basics by messing around with a pre-designed theme. After that download the Zen theme and create a subtheme from that. This way you'll really develop an understanding of theming in Drupal from a CSS standpoint. It will pay off.
Give it a chance. I agree that it's a nightmare to start with, but it clicks in no time. From then you never look back.
I agree
Actually, I agree with you about the step-by-step walkthrough. There's lots of documentation, but if you're a user you've no idea where to start. There is no step-by-step guide to creating a site. I regard this as being Drupal's prime weakness in the CMS marketplace.
www.learnbythedrop.com is a site worth looking at.
Rich
Thnx...I found that one too.
Thnx...I found that one too. I'll start digging a little further into that one ;)
Walkthrough
The step by step guide starts here
(Hidden under the mysterious links labelled "Documentation » Getting Started". We really should come up with a better naming system so that people can find those handbooks easier! )
.dan.
hmmm
Actually it's not that hard to find, but it's not a step-by-step guide. It's factual, and helpful once you know what you're doing, but it doesn't walk users though the basics.
What's needed is a guide which says 'This is a site created by Drupal,,,follow these steps to create it'.
It should build on functionality with each step. Starting with nodes, customizing the front page, installing modules, working with CSS, incorporating views etc.
Currently there is nothing like this on Drupal's site and it's a real shame. Currently the Getting Started guide could be more appropriately named 'If you're a total beginner read this and you'll opt for Joomla'.
Sorry, but that's my view.
_
Actually-- the real shame is that there over 500k registered users on drupal.org, many of whom post in the forums complaining about this or that, and yet no one steps up to contribute this or that.
Like it or not, there's only a tiny fraction of the people that use drupal (for free) that contribute anything back. I read over and over and over again in the forums about how "how I wish i could but i'm not a coder". This is one simple case where anyone (yes, ANYONE), can contribute this and yet no one has done so.
If everyone that received help in the forums paid it forward with even one page of such a guide this would no longer be an issue.
Instead, all I see is how "drupal need this" or "you people need to do x" or "this is totally unacceptable, when is someone going to do something about this".
We are all that someone. Either step up to the plate or be quiet-- those of us that do contribute get quite tired of seeing this nonsense day in and day out (this not directed at RichieRich or n00bster in particular, this is only the latest in a long line of similar threads).
_
Don't be a Help Vampire - read and abide the forum guidelines.
If you find my assistance useful, please pay it forward to your fellow drupalers.
True
Actually, I agree with you 100%. Now I've learnt the basics I actually feel compelled to make some kind of a tutorial for newbies, but I currently just don't have the time. I'll make it my business to do so in a few months however.
Still, a quality introdution / step-by-step which is accessible form the main page of the site would really be a massive bonus for the Drupal community.
A priority should be ensuring that everybody who comes to the site with an open mind should go away with adequate knowlege of how to start out with Drupal without having to spend hours / days sorting through fragmented information. This surely can't be that hard. To me it's even more important than the rollout of Drupal 7.
Rich
_
It's not hard at all-- it's just not been anyone's priority apparently. And those that have tried, end up still being too 'high level'. I think part of the problem is that the people best positioned to create such a guide are those for whom the drupal experience is still new. And those are exactly the people that, if they actually even care about contributing, don't yet feel empowered to make such a contribution.
Kind of a catch 22 :-(
_
Don't be a Help Vampire - read and abide the forum guidelines.
If you find my assistance useful, please pay it forward to your fellow drupalers.
True
True again,
But even if they did it would just end up on some forum page which would be hard for beginners to find. It needs to be something which is presented to everybody on arring at the drupal site. 'New to Drupal?...follow this guide'. Anyway, it's 3.14am and I need to get to bed.
Cheers,
Rich
add the page
If you have an account here, you can add a page to the handbook.
If it's a good guide, we will be happy to link it/move it, highlight it.
There is an effort towards the D7 release that if people contribute to, will have this. So rather then just start in a couple of months, jump to reading about the D7 stuff, see if you can fit in a page or two once every other week.
-Steven Peck
---------
Test site, always start with a test site.
Drupal Best Practices Guide -|- Black Mountain
somewhat fellow noobster
Except I'm not a fellow but; whatever. :-) I had a website for a couple of years that was mostly static html pages with a simple css style sheet and your standard href links to other pages or images. I actually did have some issues when I moved from my local pc site building (in linux) to my web host which uses Windows -- so for the couple of pictures I have on my site I hard-coded them in rather than use the image module. I may have fixed that issue with empty .htaccess files; but for now they stay hard-coded.
One thing I found very helpful was a 'drupal cookbook' which you can find here: http://drupal.org/getting-started
It's not totally applicable to Drupal 6.13 which I'm using; but one thing it suggested that stuck with me was to first create a role called Admin or administrator, then give yourself (that user) full permissions. I actually created 1 admin user; 1 forum moderator user (cuz I'm using the forum access module) and 1 regular authenticated user. Sorry, I digress.. I think it's worth reading.
For the full vs filtered html question, one thing you may not have noticed (I didn't until I installed statcounter and their instructions pointed to it...) was the item for Input formats >admin >site configuration > input formats and select full html rather than filtered html (default) if that works better for what you're doing. There is a full vs filtered option in content creation; but I think in some cases choosing 'full' there won't work unless you also select it under input formats.
On the theme question; there are a couple of themes that might be worth looking at -- I haven't done anything with them yet but I have them in my themes folder. One is 'changeme' and the other is 'basic' and of course others have suggested Zen and there are just tons of themes available. I'm currently using the austere theme since I liked the layout, fonts and ability to change colors -- and I did tweak the style.css to increase the font size in the footer a little bit; as well as adding a couple of Mac & Linux-friendly fonts to the font list in the {body} tag.
I still have more to learn about mysql and css -- but after about a month I have a presentable web site put together that is a big improvement over the static pages I had before.