[rosebud0419]

My website needs a serious update. I just love this layout, I would like to use something like this:

http://www.opendesigns.org/preview/?template=1721

or this:

http://www.freelayouts.com/templates/Papira

I understand now that any layout's style sheet controls the appearance of all site pages. I've also seen things written about having several style sheets on one website. I barely understand the basics of using a style sheet. But to write out three or four of them? G-a-h!

On my current website I have pages that show images, but many do not or wouldn't really need to. If I were to use a template like the one shown, and make all my pages look like that, is there a means of placing an image where I want it on some of my pages?

I guess my basic question is how to adapt a free layout to my own requirements?

Advice, anyone?

[allnodcoms]

"Advice, anyone?"

Best advice? Bump it into Dreamweaver (or whatever you use) and just play with it! Try and mould it to what you want, you can't break it if you work on a backup (though you could always download again anyway!). Getting your hands dirty is always the best way to learn, although Googling "w3schools" would help with the CSS.
Never be afraid of 'ruining' something, if you are scared that you'll screw it up by trying something new you'll never move on... There is always <CTRL>Z.

Danny

[rosebud0419]

Yeah, and I've been advised about making backups. I guess...once you do that, the files will perform better! I've had troubles getting them to function at all after only one or two 'tweaks.'

I have quite a few editors downloaded on my drive, never had Dreamweaver as you have to pay for that, and I have no money! But I have a couple of extremely good editors I can use.

Another option that has come up is to switch everything to Wordpress (sans the blog, I don't need one). I have learned that my current free webhost is the wrong place to have databases, you have to be a premium member. However, there are free hosts out there that will supply MySQL and PHP. I know nothing about either, but this will be a good time to start learning! Big learning curve for such a challenged 'out of date' webbie.

So, I downloaded the zipfile of WP and registered at a host that I was referred to. Now to wait till my account becomes active...

Thanks,
Rosebud