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Installable Template System

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:39 pm
by Majoraslayer
I'm getting a headache trying to learn everything in PHP, so I'm going to cut a few corners in my site overhaul. One big thing I was wanting to do is add a template system in which registered users can customize the style of the site to their liking, much like a forum such as phpBB (if anyone hasn't heard of phpBB, I had trouble finding an example :roll: ). Anyway, I tried smarty and as with most third-party PHP applications I've tried to install, the installation instructions were badly written and setup didn't go so well.

Anyway, does someone know where I might find a third party template system thats easy to integrate and install? It also needs to be flexible, and most importantly free. I would appreciate any help!

Re: Installable Template System

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 2:25 pm
by Roja
Majoraslayer wrote:I'm getting a headache trying to learn everything in PHP, so I'm going to cut a few corners in my site overhaul. One big thing I was wanting to do is add a template system in which registered users can customize the style of the site to their liking
Thats possible using a template system, but thats probably a bit much for what you want.

Really, for a user to change the look of a site, it would be much easier to simply use CSS, and then offer them a javascript style switcher. If you code your site properly with html and CSS, there is no limit to how different the site can look. Take a gander at the possibilities at the INSANELY great CSS Zen Garden.
Majoraslayer wrote:much like a forum such as phpBB (if anyone hasn't heard of phpBB, I had trouble finding an example :roll: )
We're on a phpbb board. :)
Majoraslayer wrote:Anyway, I tried smarty and as with most third-party PHP applications I've tried to install, the installation instructions were badly written and setup didn't go so well.
If you need help with getting smarty setup, ask here or at the smarty forums. Both are EXTREMELY smarty-friendly, and I assure you, will do our best to help you get setup. I visit both forums, and I'm happy to help. Smarty is a great template engine, and I use it in *every* project I can now.
Majoraslayer wrote: Anyway, does someone know where I might find a third party template system thats easy to integrate and install? It also needs to be flexible, and most importantly free. I would appreciate any help!
Thats really a very short list in php.. FastTemplate, Smarty, SmartyLite, and a few others..

Smarty is used on portions of Yahoo - its extremely well designed. Take another stab at it, and ask for help where you get stuck. Thats what the forums are for!

Re: Installable Template System

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 2:33 pm
by Majoraslayer
Majoraslayer wrote:much like a forum such as phpBB (if anyone hasn't heard of phpBB, I had trouble finding an example :roll: )
We're on a phpbb board. :)

I know, I was just kidding about that. Noobs can make jokes about themselves, too! Anyway, I appreciate the offered help with Smarty. I will try it again, because it sounds like it has what I need. Not to get off topic, but would it be possible to modify Smarty so that users can choose their own template so that each user can use their own preference?

Re: Installable Template System

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 2:47 pm
by Roja
Majoraslayer wrote:Not to get off topic, but would it be possible to modify Smarty so that users can choose their own template so that each user can use their own preference?
Its your topic - take it where you need it. :)

yes, you could, but no, you shouldn't. The library (thats what it is!) shouldn't be modified. Treat it as a library that provides functionality, and then expand and expose that functionality in your code.

In other words, you can make a script that offers users that option, USING smarty.