what a fantastic question. if you're here, you're probably looking to use a template of mine. below are the very simple steps you need to follow to get this template working on your diaryland diary (if you're going to use this on your website, follow the same directions for the most part). these steps are ridiculously detailed and over-explained if you've never done this before. if you think you're some kind of tough guy, you can skip steps 1-3, but wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry?



step 1: choose the template you like, take note of the name of the template, and make a folder on your desktop of the same name. you're making a folder because you're going to place the template files in it so later on you 1) won't have to come back to my site if you mess something up or need to replace something you removed, and 2) will have a copy for yourself in the event my site blows up or i don't renew it or something.

step 2: create a blank document in notepad and paste in the code for the entries template. save it as the name of the template.html (for example, newspaper.html). do the same for the older entries template, except name it the name of the template_older.html (ex, newspaper_older.html,).

step 3: (only if it's an imaged template. if not, skip to 5.) right click the images in the template and save them to the folder with the template files.

step 4: (only if it's an imaged template. if not, skip to 5.) upload your files to your preferred image host. it's best if you don't change the filenames, so it's easier to see where to reinsert them later.

step 5: open your diary's template editor.

step 6: open one of your template documents in notepad (yes, notepad. don't use something stupid like msword or wordpad because they try to add all kinds of formatting to your document. you need it clean or it'll break.). scroll through the code and look for [bracketed text] or commented text (begins with something like <*!-- comment --!*>).

• anywhere you see bracketed text, change what's in there to what it tells you to. it may say, [yourname], [diary title], or [email]. change these things, including the brackets, to your personal information. (example: i would change [email] into design@faithinpoison.com)
• anywhere you see commented text, read what the comments say. it may be asking you to delete something you don't want to show up when the template's active, or to change something inside to suit your site. if everything's cool, just leave it alone.

step 7: DO NOT SAVE THE EDITED TEMPLATE CODE. just ctrl+a and copy it, then paste it into your template editor. save your diary template online and check to be sure it works properly. if you broke something, close the notepad document without saving, then reopen it. make your changes and try again.

step 8: once your main entries template works, do the same for the older entries template. there are significantly fewer things to change this time around, unless of course you're using the newspaper template, which has a lot of stuff for you to customize.

step 9: do not neglect this step!! double check your template to be sure the link back to me, and the link to diaryland are both intact. additionally, if you have used an imaged template, be absolutely sure that the link to the artist or photographer is intact as well. if i get contacted about you stealing an image on one of my templates, i'm sending the angry owner to you!

step 10: refresh and mouse around your newly templated diary to make sure everything's in working order. sometimes your browser with cache the un-updated version, so you have to refresh to be sure it works. if all's good, come back here and leave a comment on the template post. just let me know you took it! that's all i ask of you.

enjoy! if you have any questions, email me. i will be delighted to help you to the best of my ability. tell a friend and consider making a donation to help a poor laid off teacher out. even $1 can help! ♥

Labels: how-to, site stuff