Getting Started ... HELP! ... one baby step at a time :)

[WebGirl]

Hi everyone,

I've installed CMSMS twice now and love it, I've even installed one of Mark's templates which is really cool [thanks Mark!].

I've now finished reading ALL the documentation in the WIKI as I want to start designing my own sites in CMSMS a.s.a.p.

My main question is this:

Am I right in assuming that it is FASTER, EASIER and web-compliant to start with a current CMSMS TEMPLATE and then alter it?

I'm also thinking of the w3 compliance with the html, the browser width and quirks of all brands and platforms.

==>  Am I right in thinking all of this is already addressed in the CMSMS templates already available, so I won't have to worry about it?

Or ... [and here's a question for all you who have developed sites using CMSMS] is it best to start from scratch with one html template I create [or Joomla/Mambo layout for example]?

I'm in two minds and can't work out which way is the BEST, FASTEST, cleanest way to proceed for a client site I need to create.

All feedback will be gratefully received!

Thanks everyone!

WebGirl

[tsw]

BEST)

create html without even thinking how it will look. use minimum number of extra elements and check that the page is laid out correctly without any css information (it should look like a book or word document with first level heading first and then second level some text and so on. preferably menu is the last thing)

add stuff like to emphazise sections (between menu and content for example) add some meta links (check the default templates for "up" link and "skip to content" and so on) use headers like created:datetime modified:datetime createdby:name and so on

if everything went well youll only have to do this first step once and use the same html in every site you ever create (well almost)

after you are satisfied with the result without any css you can start styling it. start with the big picture and work your way to details. use image replacement techniques for hiding text in header (check default templates). use pictures sparingly (is that a real word?)

check your results in multiple browsers (opera, FF and IE) and use browsershots.org to test some more. use relative measurements like % and em and test that your layout doesnt brake even when font size is doubled by user.

FAST)
get a wysiwyg, do the layout, copy paste html and css to cmsms (not recommended)

something in between)
use some elements of default layouts of cmsms or use some themes provided. these templates usually are quite good and tested with multiple browsers (it doesnt mean you still shouldnt test it on your own setup)


I prefer method number one. It might be slow but I get just what I want. sometimes its just too much to write everything from scratch and thats when ready made themes are handy.

just my .02c

[WebGirl]

Hey TSW,

I really appreciate your fast, honest response

I've been playing with 'ready made' but not sure how much to tweak / change in stylesheets, template layouts  etc etc ... I have a couple of html layouts I've made which I really want to use.

For my next site, I'll follow your suggestions, and see how it goes.

Thanks a zillion!
WebGirl