Changing Header BG

Hardkap » Pritlog - Blogging made simple

Changing Header BG

(23 posts)

Started 9 months ago by ron
Latest reply from Prit

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ron
Member

First of all let me say like many others I like Pritlog so far. I installed v. 8.1 easily and successfully. However, one reason why I am not all that keen on the 3 blog scripts and other CMS available with Fantastico is the emphasis on themes only and the complications involved in actually customizing the appearance of a blog. That is why I searched and found Pritlog.

After installing it with the default theme I wanted to do 2 things differently. Change the background and the header. Just those two things make it my custom blog and not someone else's oft repeated theme.

I was successful in creating a new bg.gif and figuring out how to get it to repeat horizontally & verticaly in spite of abysmal ignorance when it comes to css and codes. What I could not do in a sensible way was get the theme layout to display my HeaderBkg.jpg at full height. I got it to do it by changing the header font to huge and deleting the title code. But, nowhere coiuld I find anyway to control the size of the HeaderBkg.jpg.

So, back at the hardkap/pritlog site from the forum I found info on the MyBlue theme and in checking I could handle the 760x173 header-bg.jpg size with my header. I downloaded the theme then using cPanel I uploaded it to the same folder I had used for the first installation. Before uploading I renamed the existing index.php to index22.php to save it. After uploading I unzipped the folder and the index.php was of course there and a folder named myblue. But, all I get are errors.

I can go back to the original if I could just resize the header or I can use the myblue if I can get it working. But, the bottom line for me is if Pritlog was just so I could change header img and background image it would be siplic ity personified. For a Pastor friend I have an installation of WordPress that is several updates old because I can no longer change the background and header. I would like to change him to Pritlog. I would appreciate any guidance on setting up Pritlog from where I am at.

The problem may be everything except index.php is in the myblue folder
Warning: file(/home/ahardwri/public_html/GoHardRight/config_admin.php) [function.file]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/ahardwri/public_html/GoHardRight/index.php on line 925

Warning: require(lang/.php) [function.require]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/ahardwri/public_html/GoHardRight/index.php on line 36

Warning: require(lang/.php) [function.require]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/ahardwri/public_html/GoHardRight/index.php on line 36

Fatal error: require() [function.require]: Failed opening required 'lang/.php' (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/ahardwri/public_html/GoHardRight/index.php on line 36

Posted 9 months ago #
Prit
Pritlogger

Hi ron .. thanks for the feedback.

Can you please give the links from where you downloaded the myblue theme? Also are you using 0.81 Alpha 1?

Posted 9 months ago #
ron
Member

I probably did something stupid because although I'm aggressive in trying to do what what I want to do when I say I am abysmally ignorant about coding and stuff it is a sincere confession. But, at 71 I can't spend years learning if you know what I mean.
I got the download from http://hardkap.net/pritlog/myblue.zip which was on this page referred to in the forum. http://hardkap.net/pritlog/pmwiki.php?n=Pritlog.Pritlog07

The original package I downloaded says it is .80, but somewhere I thought I saw.81
I have gone back to the first index.php (having saved the myblue index.php)
I just logged into admin and it says .80 and that it is up to date.
The URL is http://ahardwright/GoHardRight

Posted 9 months ago #
ron
Member

Last night I thought I had messed things up because I didn't realize that the active category went to a much larger font until I revisited your site today. At present the site appears pretty much as I want except that I got the whole header to show by increasing the text size for the intended header font to huge. If I just had some way to adjust the header size in a more appropriate and stable way (You ought to see it if I actually put in a text title :-)

Posted 9 months ago #
Prit
Pritlogger

You could use width and height properties to adjust. Another way would be to measure the actual header for Pritlog and use a photo editing app like Gimp to resize your header to the Pritlog header size. Let me know if you need any help.

Thats a creative header you've got.

For Pritlog 0.81 Alpha1, we are using separate theme folder and creating and switching themes is very simple. But, some don't like this approach. Anyway, its still alpha.

BTW .. Where did you learn about Pritlog?

Posted 9 months ago #
ron
Member

Hi Prit, I believe I found it through HotScripts as I was looking for a blog script either stand alone or that could be integrated into a page. For web building I use WYSIWYG Web Builder by Pablo of Pablo Solutions. On the last couple of versions he added a blog system that I use for iGaZeeBo.com because it goes directly into a page. It is OK for news like I have it, but for a blog it sends comments via email. Pablo has a great builder though.

I really do like Pritlog but the height and width properties in the script is what I couldn't find. The original HeaderBkg.jpg is too short in height for a very graphic header. The one I made for MyBlue is satisfactory as I just resized it in Irfanview, another great program all though I use PhotoScape for combining images and adding text to images.

If you could direct me to a place in the defalt theme script where I can change the image properties it would be great. I got around the mandatory header text by deleting it from the Config admin page afterward.

Since you looked at the site I think you can see what I mean by just changing the header image and background image it creates a very custom appearing blog and I'll probably create some HTML pages on the domain with the same look. I don't know if I'm the only one that would like a simple way of changing those two items or not, but if I can figure it out and can get my hosting going at NetNameWorks.net and.com I will encourage clients to use Pritlog instead of the Fantastico offerings. I am trying for a more or less newbie market there and others less technically oriented.

Posted 9 months ago #
Prit
Pritlogger

Is the myblue script working for you? In this case, do you still want to shift to the default theme?

Posted 9 months ago #
ron
Member

Thanks Prit, before I forget it I sent you a small donation, I'd like for it to be more, but I can't right now. But at the end of the transaction this page http://macpup.org/macgicki.php brought up a 404 page. But, the transaction went through according to PP.

The MyBlue is not working because I reinstated the default index.php Probably MyBlue is set up as you describe for the Alpha because the folder is there with its own index.php which I have renamed to keep it, but not have it interfere.

The myblue folder is at the installation folder, GoHardRight, and the folder contains an images folder, about_text.txt, print.css, screenshot.png and style.css. Since the myblue index.php didn't access the contents of that folder my caution flags left me not sure what to do because some of the myblue files have the same name as the original files. I could move the myblue files out of that folder and rename the originals if that is all I need to do.

But, this is a situation where I don't want to mess things up. If I can activate myblue that would be OK or change the header properties to accomodate my header.
I really hate to bother you so the easiest is the best.

Posted 9 months ago #
ron
Member

Explanation Prit, When I say rename I just add a couple numbers to them so if I need to put them back in place I can take the numbers out. That way I haven't deleted something I may need later. Like the index.php for myblue in GoHardRight is right now index33.php By making the default index.php index22.php I can put the muyblue index page back in service. See, I'm just ignorant on these things. not stupid :-)

Posted 9 months ago #
Prit
Pritlogger

Hi ron .. firstly ... thanks a lot for the donation. I really appreciate it.

Now coming to the problem you are facing. We had themes for Pritlog for version 0.7. For the themes in Pritlog 0.7, one had to actually replace index.php and few other core files.

The version you are using is Pritlog 0.8. I had not released any themes for this version as the next version (0.81) would be focused on easier theming.

When you try to use myblue theme that was created for 0.7 with 0.8, it would not work.

Here are your options:

1 - Use Pritlog 0.7 with myblue theme (not recommended as you would lose extra features added for 0.8)

2 - Use Pritlog 0.8 and modify the default theme to work with your headers and backgrounds. If you can send me the background and headers, I can modify this for you. This is not a burden for me. I am encouraged by anyone using Pritlog and am willing to help out.

3 - Use Pritlog 0.81 Alpha1. I can create a theme using your headers and backgrounds to be used with this version.

4 - I also have a Pritlog hosted solution at http://pritlog.com which is free and runs Pritlog 0.81. This can be used with your own domain or with a subdomain with pritlog.com. Any updates to Pritlog would be automatically applied to the sites hosted here.

I am sorry if many options might confuse you. Anyway, let me know which way you want to do.

Posted 9 months ago #
ron
Member

Hi Prit, No the options don't confuse me and I think #3 may be best for the simple reason that if I get any blog clients at NetNameWorks I would be using a fairly current example. My feeling is as great as Fantastico is most of the scripts installed by it are too technical for an awful lot of people. I encourage people to get involved, but many are intimidated and sometimes I agree with them. Cpanel X3 is supposed to be user friendly, but it takes a lot of getting used to compared with X.

Anyway, tell me how to send you the images. I have not uploaded the one for MyBlue yet otherwise you could probably take them from http://ahardwright.com/GoHardRight

I can clear the GoHardRight folder because I am running a parallel blog at http://igazeebo.net/AHardWright and can copy the post from there. http://iGaZeeBo.net is an online network I am trying to get started as soon as I get the email in place.
I do appreciate your help.

Posted 9 months ago #
Prit
Pritlogger

Hi ron .. if you keep the blog at http://ahardwright.com/GoHardRight, I can take the images from there. I will get back to you sometime tomorrow with the modified theme.

Forgot to mention that even if you want to use Pritlog hosted solution (option 4), you can later move away to your own server. This way you can take with you the latest Pritlog code (which should be out of Alpha) and also more mature. There will be a focus on usability in the next version after 0.81.

Posted 9 months ago #
ron
Member

Hi Prit,
No hurry and no problem. Work it into your schedule as you need to. I looked at your sign up page and I'll keep it in mind to refer people to. I try to encourage people with what they want or need rather than what might benefit me. Some people would not want to sign up at iGaZeeBo.net or .org because it is intended to be an Online Christian Network. I would rather they sign up with you rather than BlogSpot and other major providers. It looks like you have some nice templates. I have 60 at the VlogSite and intend to create some more. But, one thing the VlogSite script does have in addition to templates is about 4 layouts, several dozen backgrounds and the capability to upload header images which is how I came up with the brick background as I wanted something "hard".

Any hosting of Pritlog I do will include a donation to you. I have distributed a lot of software like Irfanview, Trellian, Avant Browser, etc. and I always encourage people to donate something because it is a privelidge to have available so much free software that meets or exceeds the commercial offerings. The WYSIWYG Web Builder is about the only program I encourage anyone to buy if they want a html web site and that is about $40.

I could tell by the way you communicated in the forum that you are a sincere person and that will go a long way in encouraging people to use Pritlog. I'm glad John and others are helpful to you and I envy their ability to some extent.

Posted 9 months ago #
Prit
Pritlogger

Hi ron .. thanks for the kind words. I was starting to get the images for creating the theme for you. Then I thought that since Pritlog 0.81 is in Alpha, there are a couple of rough edges that needs to be taken care of before taking it out of Alpha. It would be better for you to switch to 0.81 after it is out of Alpha. For right now, I believe that it would be better for you to continue to use 0.8.

There will be an update script to update from 0.8 to 0.81. And, I can modify the default theme with your header and background images after 0.81 is out of Alpha.

As for the mini community that was supporting Pritlog - it is mainly because of them that this forum started and Pritlog developed from 0.41 to 0.81 Alpha1 (passing 0.411, 0.7, 0.8). I am grateful to all of them who supported and tested.

But, after I released Alpha 1, except for couple of initial feedbacks, I have not had any community support. I am not sure if it is because of personal priorities that pulled them away or a lack of interest in what is going on here. This has kind of slowed the development and release of 0.81. Hopefully, I will get the rough edges fixed and release a 0.81 in the next week or so.

Posted 9 months ago #
ron
Member

Hi Prit, Just got back from town. Your suggestion sounds good to me and in the meantime I can get the existing post set up with the right spacing, etc. With summer coming on people probably due have other priorities for awhile at least. Like I have read for many years that classified advertising value is highest in mid winter and goes to zip in mid summer. It's a matter of whether people take time to do mundane things. I'm sure that condition affects many other things. For example I know church attendance goes down in the summer even though it shouldn't.

However, I stay at a pretty much busy pace so if there is anything I can help you with and you have access to the email I signed up with feel free to contact me any time and I'll do whatever I can. One advantage with me is if I can do it anyone can:-)

I will try to follow the forum from time to time, but I rely heavily on email especially when there is a time element. Since I have so much hosting I can set up an account any time to try something without it costing me anything but some time and effort which I consider part of learning. I even do some free hosting for some people, but I only furnish a couple domains. Anyway, I'm more than happy to help anywat I can. Just let me know.

Posted 9 months ago #
Prit
Pritlogger

Hi ron .. that explanation of changing priorities during summer months might be a reason why Pritlog attendance has dropped. Atleast thinking that way feels better. :)

The BBpress software that I use for this forum is not very proactive and feature packed like the popular ones. Members don't get notification of new posts. I changed the code a little bit so that it notifies me if there is a new post. Individual members can enable the "favorites" from their profile and if a thread is added to the favorites, they get notified of any new posts to this thread.

The main support that Pritlog will need for now is with testing. The more the testers, the more stable Pritlog can become. I usually test the code in 4-5 different server configurations (including local machines and other production hosts). But, even after this, when it runs on a different server, there are chances that it does not work well. If your time permits and you can stick around to test and provide feedback, it would be really great.

Here is the main goal for the next release:
- Usability - There are many things in the interface and dialogs that I am not very pleased with. Make these features better, usable and polished. Maybe use Ajax functionality .. not decided yet.

Posted 9 months ago #
ron
Member

Undertand, Prit, you will have to tell me what you need done at any time that I can help with. Some people think I know a lot, but it is just that I try and many people don't.
So you ask or suggest and if it is something I can't do I'll simply tell you and you/we can figure a way around it. I have two unlimited reseller hosting accounts with two different server providers, so like if it beneficial to you to have a test account on each just say the word. As I mentioned I have one large shared hosting account, but I can always create a folder there. VlogSite is at the root level and PHP Auction, Noah's Classifieds, PHPBB are one level down where iGaZeeBo public features are and will be. I am going out to mow for awhile, but later if you need to know the parameters of the servers I can log into the WHMs and check. I know all are Linux, but I don't pay much attention to what version. All are also cPanel which is all I'll mess with anymore. I think all have Ajax (but I don't know much about it) and NetNameWorks.net has ffmpeg, FLVtool2, Mencoder enabled, mplayer and other items I am unfamiliar with, but I like to have in case. Like with that sqlite I guess I have it, but I wasn't aware that I might not until it was brought up in the forum.

Any, you are in the lead, just let me know what is needed.

Posted 9 months ago #
Prit
Pritlogger

Thanks ron. I am sure it would be helpful to test on multiple servers. If you could give a folder on each server for Pritlog testing with attached ftp account for uploading and changing stuff, it would be great. It need not be accessible to search engines and thus can be blocked through robots.txt. When Pritlog 0.81 is getting ready and is being tested, we could use these folders for testing.

I am working on 0.81. Hopefully can get a version for testing by next weekend.

Posted 9 months ago #
ron
Member

Hi Prit,
I was thinking how about if I set up two subdomain accounts, pritlog.netnameworks.com and pritlog.netnameworks.net. Setting them up in the Web Host Manager they would be just as if they were registered domains with full cpanel. That way you could do anything at the root level or subfolder level, as could I. If you wanted me to do something and I messed up you could check it or restore whatever. You could even have say a little different versions in different folders for testing. You could edit the scripts in cPanel and know the results immediately which might be good, I don't know.

I'm just a helper trying to be helpful. But, I'd have to send you the user name and passwords, which could be the same for both. I am reluctant to publish them here.
If you needed the subdomains for testing beyond .81 there is no reason why they couldn't stay in place as long as they are useful.

Posted 9 months ago #
john
Member

Hi Prit,

It has been a while since I last posted in your forum, although I visit it at least once every 2 - 3 days to check about last news (look for my IP in your server log :)

I'm still enthusiastic about Pritlog, and in fact I developed a variation to handle classified ads as well as using multiple blogs under same domain, with separate db's and users enabled to do things in one blog but not in another.

In regards to:

"I have not had any community support. I am not sure if it is because of personal priorities that pulled them away or a lack of interest in what is going on here. This has kind of slowed the development and release of 0.81. Hopefully, I will get the rough edges fixed and release a 0.81 in the next week or so."

I just stopped to post, because I saw no news and assumed you were busy.
On the other hand I was not willing to distract you with long posts about things not related to the debugging of your last release, and the fact is that I haven't experienced any bug for a long time as the script works great !

Pritlog is a nice script, however Im not sure I like the plugin feature and themes.
I feel more comfortable with the previous version directly customizing the different functions which is the path that allowed me to experiment and learn the most.

As soon you post any new release I'll be glad to help you to test it :)

Posted 9 months ago #
Prit
Pritlogger

Hi John .. its so nice to hear from you .. I am glad you are still interested in Pritlog.

Its good to know about the multi blog modification. I had posted the same several weeks ago. I have this available at http://pritlog.com. You are welcome to request an account by visiting that site. It has features like post-to-mail, and uses the clean url format that you had suggested. Check it out if you have time.

I understand that the Pritlog code doesnt look the same with plugin and theme features enabled. Did you get a chance to develop any plugins? Ofcourse, I don't have any documentation available yet. Taking a look at an existing plugin might help you understand how it is done. When you start getting into plugins, then, you don't need to be concerned a whole lot about the main code. But anyone can extend the functionality and share it with others. Others can choose the plugins they want to have. Anyway, you already must understand the functioning of plugins. I don't want to bore you with more of this. I added plugins to accept picture galleries, do send post to mails and few other things.

Other than me, nobody else seems to be excited about plugins, themes. :). I got a similar mail about plugins/themes functionality. I personally got excited because of the ease in which I could extend Pritlog and develop themes. Also, it was a great learning experience.

Feel free to post your ideas, experiments as you always did. It helps, inspires, and encourages. Don't worry about me getting bored. Trust me, I don't.

Posted 9 months ago #
chill
Member

Prit,

I like the idea of using plugins and themes too. Its a good way to add more functionality for Pritlog without altering the main code. This is an excellent blogging script that I feel is better than a lot of known blogging scripts because it is "lean and mean." :)

Charles

Posted 9 months ago #
Prit
Pritlogger

Thanks Chill. :)

Posted 9 months ago #

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