Free Pligg Template: Upstart Blogger Tutor Lite
Porting Pligg templates is not an easy task. If you’re new to Pligg and start with one of the templates included in the Pligg distribution, you’re confronted with a confusing mess of template files and obscure code (that’s not a criticism; while Pligg could be more friendly, it’s complicated because it’s powerful).
Note: This template is not compatible with the latest version of Pligg. At this time (5.06.07), I have no plans to update it. I thought it was a great idea, but there were very few downloads of this template compared to FuturePligg Solemnity and UpstartAqueous. Also, the Pligg developers may be working on something similar themselves.
Upstart Blogger Tutor Lite is my new bare bones template, designed to be a kind of template template—a good starting place for experienced Pliggers who want to simplify the task of customization, and a test bed for Pligg newbies who want to learn Pligg. It has a minimalist layout, few graphics, and code that is (well, will be) simplified and stripped of extraneous tags. If there’s interest, it may eventually even come in two flavors: Lite and Annotated. The annotated version would include explanations and guidance directly in the template files, to help new users decipher Pligg’s sometimes maddeningly obscure code (please let me know in the comments if an annotated version would be of interest to you).
Here’s a preview (click to enlarge):
Warning: This template is definitely a work in progress. Ported from yget, I still have a lot of work to do to pare down the code to the ideal I’ve outlined above. I’m releasing it now because there’s been some interest on the Pligg Forum for a simple template. I don’t think you’ll find a simpler template than Upstart Blogger Tutor Lite.
If you’re looking for a spiffier Pligg template, try my ported templates: FuturePligg Solemnity and UpstartAqueous. And be sure to subscribe to Upstart Blogger to be notified of updates and new templates.
You’ll find a list of things you should change below. I may have overlooked something; if I have, please post a comment. If you download Upstart Blogger Tutor Lite, please do post a comment if you run into a problem, and make the changes available if you fix them. Oh, and do check out Futurosity and become a member!
Download
Note: The latest version of this template is for Pligg beta 9.1. Make sure you’re running the correct version of Pligg, or you may encounter problems.
You can download the template, Upstart Blogger Tutor Lite 0.1, by clicking here. After unzipping, upload the entire UpstartTutorLite01 folder to your /templates/ directory.
Instructions
Before installing the Upstart Blogger Tutor Lite template, you’ll want to edit thefooter.tpl file to add your copyright information and add any stats tracking code you use. Note: This template is free for you to use and modify, but you must keep the footer link to Upstart Blogger to avoid bad karma and insomnia.
You’ll find more information about Pligg template files in Understanding Pligg Template Files.
Installation
After uploading the template folder:
- Open /templates/templates.tpl and add this line (on one line; no line breaks):
Upstart Blogger Tutor Lite - Go to your admin area.
- Click on Configure [YourPliggName].
- Click on Template .
- Under Template, click on the name next to value (if you haven’t already changed templates, this will say yget if you’re using Pligg beta 9.1).
- Type in UpstartTutorLite01 and click Save.
That’s it!
Known Issues
None. No errors in IE7 that I know of (the categories and feed icons even align!). Please let me know if you encounter any problems.
License
Free. Do whatever you want with it, but please keep the footer link to Upstart Blogger. It’s the polite thing to do and it gives me warm fuzzies.
History
0.1 Quick hack version. Tell me this is useful and there’ll be a version 0.2.
Again, if you have any problems, please post a comment. Enjoy!
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RobertRobert Ellis was the founder of Upstart Blogger. He now blogs (and continues to design themes) at Futurosity.
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Hi Robert! Just want to say thank you for your help and advises about the Pligg stuff. And the Upstart Tutor Lite template is, indeed, VERY useful in my opinion :)
You’re welcome, Pascal. I’ve been busy with some other things lately, but I do plan to come back to this and make it even more useful.
This one is really good barebone template that helps me a lot – looking forward for version 0.2 of it – pls sooner.
Thanks for this template — the best way to start a template is with copy/past, and a super-simple yet functionally complete template is best for this.
Yes, an annotated version would be great!
Thanks for your comments. I’m waiting for the next version of Pligg, due any time, then I plan to update this template.
Yes, an annotated/comment-full theme would be super helpful. What would be more helpful (and generate a ton of links in to you, as well as traffic, I’m sure) would be a step by step guide on everything you need to do from start to finish to create your own template FROM SCRATCH! From that you could probably begin to create your own documentation. Just a thought.
I’ve already written some tutorials on starting more or less from scratch. It’s a time saver to start with another template, which is why I created this one. But be sure to read Understanding Pligg Template Files and How to Hack a Pligg Template.
two words:
you rock!
Isnt this template available as default when installing pligg? Anyways your Aqueous template is cool. :)
i am a chinese.
what i want to say is:
i hava a lot from your document.
best regards for you