Moved from Templates FAQ: General question.

ctcentralinfo · 28.02.2005, 19:11

I am not a programmer, but I am interested in modifying mambo. What software as well as resources on the web could you recommend. I have frontpage express could I use that?

Jifor · 01.03.2005, 02:30

I split this question off of the FAQ thread because it was well off topic.

Now onto your question. If you like to try before you buy, try Maguma for php editing and Topstyle Lite for CSS and HTML.

ctcentralinfo · 01.03.2005, 16:00

That's great and all, but what works for what?.

Jifor · 01.03.2005, 16:15

Well, depending on what exactly you want to do with Mambo, you can use Maguma to make changes to the php. the benefits are that Maguma is designed for creating and edity PHP, so the concepts are clearer and the tootip library is geared specifically to php development. So, specifically speaking, if you wanted to modify a php file in Mambo, you could open it in Maguma and see clearly marked the parts of the code.

I use Topstyle Pro for most of the CSS work. I'm assuming that because this question was posted in the template section that you want to modify or create a Mambo template. Topstyle lite (free version of pro) would help with the css as it has the same benefits as Maguma, only for css rather than php.

A mambo template has 4 main parts:

index.php (The php and html)
template_css.css (the styles and rules for presentation of your content)
templateDetail.xml (an index of your template files and other info)
images (any images that you want in your template)

If you already have a registered copy of DW or have oodles of cash, there is a plugin that has Mambo specific menu items that allow one click population of your index.php file of Mambo hooks and code.

Another free application that has a similar plugin is html-kit. I'm not a fan of this software, but others swear by it.

I hope this is what you are looking for.

Cheers,

David

ctcentralinfo · 01.03.2005, 18:52

Much appricated one more question though do you have any books you could recommend or website tutorials for adobe photo shop 7?

Jifor · 01.03.2005, 19:02

Well, if you are brand new to photoshop, the help menu has some really good tutorials. Otherwise a google search will yield loads of great tutorials.

Here's one to start with: http://www.good-tutorials.com/

Cheers,

David

ctcentralinfo · 03.03.2005, 20:09

Just found a template I really like Cool Tech Central
I'll stick with this for now. My time is short this will do.