Beta Blogger Template simplified

If you want to understand how the beta templates are contructed and what the heck a widget is, then check this out. It's written by the same guy who gave us Blogger for dummies and now beta blogger for dummies. It's an excellent source of information.

Oh, and don't forget to check out the blogger help group on Google Groups. If you have any technical questions or need pointing in the right direction, guaranteed you'll find someone over there who can help you. I know I keep repeating this but it's really worth a visit if you're ever stuck!

Templates for Blogger Beta - Freeskins

Check out Freeskins.blogspot.com yet another cool template site. There's a multitude of free templates for both beta and classic blogger. You will also find a selection of 3 column beta templates. If you fancy something a little more personal, I think they will also custom make something (for a fee??). Enjoy...Bernie

Templates available at Blogcrowds

If you haven't done so already, you've got to check out this site. !!!

Blogcrowds.com has loads of regular blogger templates that have been converted to 3 column templates.

In order to retrieve the HTML for a template you like, you do have to register. But as soon as you register, you can access the site immediately. If you fancy a particular template, simply copy the code and paste it into your blog.

I haven't spent much time over there but from what I've seen briefly, I think I'm a gonna change my blog, again (and again.... and again.....)

PS Please please please remember to download your template before making any changes! Don't say I didn't warn ya!

How to: Change colour & font settings

Hi guys. How many of you have completely given yourselves up to Blogger Beta? Are you still using a classic blogger template in the beta world? Or have you swapped your old template for a brand spanking new widget-full beta baby??

For those of you who haven't, then you should really consider it. Why?

Well, one reason has to be the new 'Fonts & Colour' option in the template tab, which allows you to transform the look of your blog in a single click!

How many times have you wanted to tweak the background colour of your blog or change the header text but were too nervous to even consider editing the dreaded blogger template?

Thankfully this new function really makes it incredibly simple. No more faffing around. You just log in to blogger, select your blog from the Dashboard and click on the template tab. You will then see that there are four options to choose from:

Page Elements
Fonts & Colours
Edit HTML
Pick New Template

Click on 'Fonts & Colours', and you will see a screen similar to the one in the screenshot above. Here is the clever bit. From this one little menu, you can change any number of elements of your blog's layout, such as:

Page background colour, Text Colour, Link Colour, Font Type, Font Size, etc...

It's easy to experiment with different colours and fonts now. Simply click on the 'Shuffle Blog Colours' option beside the large colour pallette and watch with wonder (woooooo) how blogger magically swaps the colours around. If you don't like what you see, you can simply undo it by using the 'Revert to Template Default' or 'Clear Edits' options.

So go on, have a go. Maybe have a different theme to match the seasons or even a different colour each day to match your mood. Remember, have fun. And if you don't like what you see, just undo it! Easy!

Beta Blog & 3 Column Template

Ta-da! Here's a piccie of my new 3 column template. This is on my test blog at the moment but I will hopefully copy it into my other blogs after the weekend. "Isn't she pretty?", she said, shamelessly flaunting but definitely not gloating.
As I am learning how to use blogger beta, I am keeping a record of how I did what etc... and I will be posting about this in the coming week or so.

If it will help at least one member of Knit1BlogToo to switch over to Beta with confidence and perhaps even get themselves the coveted 3 column template, then I'll be happy. (insert big cheesy grin here!)

So, if you want to check out the new layout, click on the screenshot and you'll be redirected. Oh, and if you run into any problems over there perhaps you could let me know? Thanks...Bernie

Happy Camping Folks!

How to: Widen columns

Randi has asked how to increase the width of the columns on her template:

I would have liked to have a little more space in between the two columns on my page. Between the main "bar" and the (right) side bar. And how would I add a left side bar? Anyone? ... Randi

Increasing the width of the columns on your Blogger template couldn't be easier. Before making any changes, it is recommended to make a copy of your template and paste it into Notepad. Save this as your backup in case you make a mistake with the live template.

From the Dashboard, select the blog you wish to edit and click on the TEMPLATE tab. The formatting for your template can be found between the <style type="text/css"> tag and the </style> tag. You're looking for something like this:-

/* Content
----------------------------------------------- */
@media all {
#content {
width:660px;
margin:0 auto;
padding:0;
text-align:left;
}
#main {
width:410px;
float:left;
}
#sidebar {
width:220px;
float:right;
}

One thing you need to keep in mind is that the sum of the width of the #main (column) and the #sidebar (column) cannot be greater than the #content. For example, the width of your whole page is 660px, 410px of which is allocated to the #main and 220px is allocated to the #sidebar.

Try changing these figures as follows: 800px for the #content; 570px for the #main and 220px for the #sidebar:-

/* Content
----------------------------------------------- */
@media all {
#content {
width:800px;
margin:0 auto;
padding:0;
text-align:left;
}
#main {
width:570px;
float:left;
}
#sidebar {
width:220px;
float:right;
}

I think it is safe to say that you could increase your #content width to 1000px comfortably.

If you want to learn more about formatting your template then please check out Blogger Tricks. There are some wonderful tutorials there.

Remember to also check out the Blogger Help Group for hints & tips. There is a forum where you can post your questions and lots of very helpful bloggers from different levels willing to help newbies and experienced users alike!

In answer to your question re a 2nd sidebar on the left, you need to consider changing your template to a 3 column template. There are links for these in the left-hand sidebar under the heading "2 & 3 Column Layouts" on the Knit1BlogToo homepage. If you need assistance for this let me know and I will point you in the right direction

Regards...Bernie