[Xerte-dev] Re: How to create a new template?

Thu Jan 23 08:59:01 GMT 2014

That's a strange link ;-) I guess you mean http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/toolkits/play_9011 but that prompts for login.

Using the optional stylesheet option does work out much easier if you do have access to the server files rather than uploading all the separate images via media & quota. I've done this by creating a themes folder and then subdirectories in the themes folder for each theme. Haven't really noticed the "theme flash" Mark mentioned - I guess server performance or connection speed could have an impact though.

From: xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Julian Tenney
Sent: 23 January 2014 08:40
To: For Xerte technical developers
Subject: [Xerte-dev] Re: How to create a new template?

This customisation was all done by the end users, with no access to the server, and no questions to me. It is all possible – a bit fiddly in places I grant you – but possible. The new buttons were uploaded via media and quota and the rest is css.

http://www/toolkits/play_9011

From: xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Mark Berthelemy
Sent: 22 January 2014 17:22
To: For Xerte technical developers
Subject: [Xerte-dev] Re: How to create a new template?

Thanks Ron,

Understood.

Mark

-- 

Mark Berthelemy

Managing Director

Tel:      01773 881 227

Mob:    07922 146 761

Web:    www.wyversolutions.co.uk

Wyver Solutions Ltd | Company number: 5731173 Registered in England | Registered address: First Floor, 6 Bridge Street, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 1AX

On Wednesday, 22 January 2014 at 17:17, Ron Mitchell wrote:

Hi Mark

custom stylesheet is an optional property so what I meant was that you can include the addition of that in data.xml and the css file in the \modules\xerte\templates\Nottingham\media folder as though it was added to the LO whilst editing. That will apply to the Nottingham template sitewide but then users can obviously replace or remove the css file via the editor.

pros and cons with each option but if the requirement is different themes for each department I'm not sure that multiple installations or multiple copies of the template are really viable long term.

As others have alluded there are always areas for improvement and ideally wherever the itch is strong enough those improvements are contributed back.

Ron

From: xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Mark Berthelemy
Sent: 22 January 2014 16:53
To: For Xerte technical developers
Subject: [Xerte-dev] Re: How to create a new template?

Hi Ron, 

Forgive the basic questions, but data.xml only contains three elements. None of which are to do with CSS. Where do I find the list of elements that can be added and then tweaked?

Also, when you say customise an installation, do you just mean editing parent_templates/Nottingham/css/themeStyles.css - perhaps by using @import to pull in another CSS file?

That’s where I’ve ended up so far.

What I’m hearing is that each department that might want its own branding on LO's needs its own installation of Xerte - because it’s easier to maintain the installations than the templates. Is that right? Or a development team, working with multiple depts will need an instance of Xerte for each dept?

Mark

-- 

Mark Berthelemy

Managing Director

Tel:     01773 881 227

Mob:   07922 146 761

Web:   www.wyversolutions.co.uk

Wyver Solutions Ltd | Company number: 5731173 Registered in England | Registered address: First Floor, 6 Bridge Street, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 1AX

On Wednesday, 22 January 2014 at 16:43, Ron Mitchell wrote:

Hi Mark

You can make anything you want part of new LO's by tweaking \modules\xerte\templates\Nottingham\data.xml 

However it's not that simple because of also changing buttons etc and as you suspect it may not resolve the loading order.

I would still suggest customising an installation rather than a copy of the template is a better long term strategy. I don't have time to detail all the reasons for that right now just my experience over many years of maintaining copies of templates and page types.

HTH

Ron

From: xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Mark Berthelemy
Sent: 22 January 2014 16:18
To: For Xerte technical developers
Subject: [Xerte-dev] Re: How to create a new template?

Hi Ron,

It is just the interface I’m looking at. So your idea makes perfect sense. It’s what I was hoping for to be honest.

Where do I find the optional properties for a main template, and the default XML? I know how to tweak CSS for each individual learning object, but not how to make it apply to every learning object.

Will your solution deal with the problem whereby the new CSS is only applied after the LO has loaded with the standard CSS - so you get a flash look at the standard design first?

Thanks,

Mark

-- 

Mark Berthelemy

Managing Director

Tel:     01773 881 227

Mob:   07922 146 761

Web:   www.wyversolutions.co.uk

Wyver Solutions Ltd | Company number: 5731173 Registered in England | Registered address: First Floor, 6 Bridge Street, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 1AX

On Wednesday, 22 January 2014 at 15:22, Ron Mitchell wrote:

Unless you are also talking about customising/branding the different page types too e.g. as well as the player interface, I wouldn't look at adding a new template. It can be quite time-consuming keeping subsequent changes in sync if you create a derivative template based on a particular point in time.

You can add a custom css file to the main template via optional properties and you can also tweak the default xml so that the same custom xss is included in any new LO's created.

The other option which in reality can be quicker and easier than the new template route is to have a separate installation for each customisation required. 

Just my experience.

Ron

From: xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Mark Berthelemy
Sent: 22 January 2014 14:42
To: For Xerte technical developers
Subject: [Xerte-dev] How to create a new template?

Hi there, 

I need to create a new look and feel for Xerte learning objects that will be used across all new LO’s.

It’s basically going to be the normal Nottingham HTML5 design, but with tweaks to brand it.

Is there a recommended way to do this?

I’m finding it hard to work out which bits of the code-base hold the relevant CSS, and then how to add a new “template(?)” so it can be used by the learning designers.

Thanks,

Mark

-- 

Mark Berthelemy

Managing Director

Tel:     01773 881 227

Mob:   07922 146 761

Web:   www.wyversolutions.co.uk

Wyver Solutions Ltd | Company number: 5731173 Registered in England | Registered address: First Floor, 6 Bridge Street, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 1AX

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This message has been checked for viruses but the contents of an attachment may still contain software viruses which could damage your computer system, you are advised to perform your own checks. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored as permitted by UK legislation.

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