I need a VBulletin expert

[BOLT]

This has just got to be the most complicated software I've seen... for someone who knows nothing about computers.

Basically I'm wanting my forum to look different than the other forums ran by VB.

One thing I'm wanting to do is change the font for the main menu. I have gone everywhere in the admin panel, changed the fonts for like every tab, and nothing has changed.

Also, the list at the top that has User CP, FAQ, Members List, etc, I want to change that. Like maybe take a few of them out, change the wording, whatever. I don't want this to look like all the other forums.

So there are a couple examples. I am basically wanting to change pretty much everything: the wording, location, etc. The style, phrase, and language managers are very difficult to understand and I cannot do much of what I am doing with them, probably mostly because I don't know what anything stands for or means.

But are the things I am saying possible? My main problem is that I don't want to look identical to the bodybuilding.com forums, as it will make me look like a "me too" forum that wants to be like them... haha...

[SoftWareRevue]

But are the things I am saying possible?Not at all. :)

vB's admincp can be a little intimating at first. Luckily, there's vB.org (http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/i) to make things a little easier for you.

If you want to learn how to make your forum look unique, just study the Styles & Graphics Articles (http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=188) forum.

There's plenty of free skins available in the vB Skins (http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=195) forum.

There are also plenty of places around that sell skins at a reasonable price (including ForumThemes (http://www.forumthemes.com/) that provides FU's skin).

One thing I'm wanting to do is change the font for the main menu.You'll find the fonts used in admincp > Styles and Templates > Style Manager > Click on the style you want to edit and you'll find where to define fonts for your layout.

the list at the top that has User CP, FAQ, Members List, etc, I want to change thatThose are generally in the header template.

admincp > Styles and Templates > Search in Templates > enter header in the box and choose Search Titles Only. This will display a list of templates that include the word header. But you're only looking for the header template. :) Double click it. This opens it. Of course, you'll want to copy any template you're going to edit locally before actually editing it. ;)

[BOLT]

thanks a ton for the response.

So it is possible to rearrange the styles and such. I am actually looking for a format similar to www.ironaddicts.com. But off of VBulletin though.

I honestly have no idea in hell how to change things around, haha. I am not talking about making minor adjustments like changing the font or color. I'm talking about changing the entire layout of where things are, etc. But since I dont know anything about computers, I wouldnt know how to do this...

[SoftWareRevue]

I honestly have no idea in hell how to change things aroundYou'd probably be better off choosing a skin someone's already made that resembles what you want.

I am actually looking for a format similar toThat's the surge skin from extremepixels (http://www.extremepixels.com/). ;)

If you look around, you can probably find something that suits you. :)

[BOLT]

You'd probably be better off choosing a skin someone's already made that resembles what you want.

That's the surge skin from extremepixels (http://www.extremepixels.com/). ;)

If you look around, you can probably find something that suits you. :)

Man, I can't thank you enough. Looks like I'm set now :evilb:

I actually couldnt read the link you gave me from vb.org fully because I am not a member yet. But that gives me a lot of relief that I can just use a skin someone else has designed.

I really appreciate it, and I guess this is the place I should go now with my questions on my forum...

:dancin:

edit: If I purchased one of those skins, can I still edit it from there?

[ilikepie2]

Bolt you and I are in the same boat. I have not purchased VB yet but was told by someone on VB or another site that it would be easy for me to do. I have no knowledge/skills when it comes to computers. I need help! LOL

[Scott]

Bolt you and I are in the same boat. I have not purchased VB yet but was told by someone on VB or another site that it would be easy for me to do. I have no knowledge/skills when it comes to computers. I need help! LOL
Well you've came to the right place! :D

vB has an excellent demo (http://www.vbulletin.com/admindemo.php) system where you can try it out for 24 hours without having to spend a penny. That can give you a feel of whether or not its for you.

[ilikepie2]

Well you've came to the right place! :D

vB has an excellent demo (http://www.vbulletin.com/admindemo.php) system where you can try it out for 24 hours without having to spend a penny. That can give you a feel of whether or not its for you.

Yes I did try that out but just browsed more than anything. I don't understand alot of the terminology and what things are used for what. LOL I am totally inexperienced.
Sorry I don't want to hijack Bolts thread here.

[BOLT]

Yes I did try that out but just browsed more than anything. I don't understand alot of the terminology and what things are used for what. LOL I am totally inexperienced.
Sorry I don't want to hijack Bolts thread here.

It's fine. I have done the demo a few times also. So basically I had no idea that you could just purchase a skin that designs the software for you. That's realy cool, they cost about $30 but that's fine.

I'll probably end up putting $200 down for the site and around $30 a month. Maybe once I get an array of users, I can start selling stuff off the site like books on teh subject, etc... who knows

[BOLT]

Question: I just got a free one to test it out. I downloaded the file, then opened it and I've got a ton of letters and numbers and words and stuff. Am I supposed to copy and paste this to somewhere on the Admin CP?

[Scott]

Free skin? You should be able to import it by going to Styles & Templates -> Download / Upload Styles in the admin panel. Click Browse... to upload it from your computer.

[BOLT]

Free skin? You should be able to import it by going to Styles & Templates -> Download / Upload Styles in the admin panel. Click Browse... to upload it from your computer.

:banghead:

Ok, this is a preview of what I have downloaded:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1" ?>
- <style name="SilentGhost" vbversion="3.5.4" product="vbulletin" type="custom">
- <templategroup name="CSS Special Templates">
- <template name=".alt1, .alt1Active" templatetype="css" date="1101585883" username="AlienDev" version="">
- <![CDATA[ a:7:{s:10:"background";s:7:"#000000";s:5:"color";s:7:"#CCCCCC";s:4:"font";a:3:{s:5:"style";s:0:"";s:4:"size";s:0:"";s:6:"family";s:0:"";}s:5:"EXTRA";s:0:"";s:6:"LINK_N";a:3:{s:10:"background";s:0:"";s:5:"color";s:0:"";s:15:"text-decoration";s:0:"";}s:6:"LINK_V";a:3:{s:10:"background";s:0:"";s:5:"color";s:0:"";s:15:"text-decoration";s:0:"";}s:6:"LINK_M";a:3:{s:10:"background";s:0:"";s:5:"color";s:0:"";s:15:"text-decoration";s:0:"";}}
]]>
</template>
- <template name=".alt2, .alt2Active" templatetype="css" date="1101585883" username="AlienDev" version="">
- <![CDATA[ a:7:{s:10:"background";s:7:"#000000";s:5:"color";s:7:"#CCCCCC";s:4:"font";a:3:{s:5:"style";s:0:"";s:4:"size";s:0:"";s:6:"family";s:0:"";}s:5:"EXTRA";s:0:"";s:6:"LINK_N";a:3:{s:10:"background";s:0:"";s:5:"color";s:0:"";s:15:"text-decoration";s:0:"";}s:6:"LINK_V";a:3:{s:10:"background";s:0:"";s:5:"color";s:0:"";s:15:"text-decoration";s:0:"";}s:6:"LINK_M";a:3:{s:10:"background";s:0:"";s:5:"color";s:0:"";s:15:"text-decoration";s:0:"";}}
]]>
</template>
- <template name=".fjsel" templatetype="css" date="1096183383" username="AlienSector" version="">
- <![CDATA[ a:2:{s:10:"background";s:7:"#F1F1F1";s:5:"color";s:7:"#000000";}
]]>
</template>
- <template name=".highlight" templatetype="css" date="1096183079" username="AlienSector" version="">
- <![CDATA[ a:4:{s:10:"background";s:0:"";s:5:"color";s:7:"#000000";s:4:"font";a:3:{s:5:"style";s:4:"bold";s:4:"size";s:0:"";s:6:"family";s:0:"";}s:5:"EXTRA";s:0:"";}
]]>




Only it's like 20x longer than this. So I don't know where to put it or if I'm even supposed to do anything with it...

[Scott]

Yep, it's an XML file. The version isn't the same as the demo, so I don't know how it'll work out.

[BOLT]

Yep, it's an XML file. The version isn't the same as the demo, so I don't know how it'll work out.

Thanks Scott, I'm not even going to bother with messing with the demo any more since I now know that I can purchase a skin that some other computer nerd has already designed :D