Free Templates and changing graphics
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Right now my blog is blank. I’ve been tinkering around with widgets and back grounds, etc trying to learn how to use wordpress. So now that I have come to the conclusion I lack any and all blog talent, I have a question about templates. I have been playing around with a few and I would like to know if there would be a way to edit the back ground/graphics on some of the free templates. I have played around with the code a little but without success. Then again, I know jack about CSS or HTML so that’s probably the problem.
I have brought the templates up on an HTML editor but it appears that while I can edit the content the backgrounds etc, seem off limits. Can anyone offer me any advice? Is there a word press template creator for those of us who are HTML and CSS impaired and need WYSWYG software? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
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If you don’t know how to use CSS, it would be unwise to pay for a CSS upgrade: there is no official support here: only a few volunteers.
There are some themes that allow you to add backgrounds, change colors, or add custom headers. Appearance —> Themes —> use the theme filter to see which themes will allow various options.
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I’ve been tinkering around with widgets and back grounds, etc trying to learn how to use wordpress.
Below is a link to support documentation that clarifies the differences between free blogs from and being free hosted by WordPress.com and free software installs for self hosting from WordPress.org
WordPress.com is a hosted blog service. You do not have to download software, pay for hosting or manage a web server. WordPress.com does not permit FTP access, uploading themes or plugins. WordPress.com is a wpMU (WordPress multi-user) blogging platform. http://support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/
WordPress.com users do not have access to the database files and cannot edit the templates containing the HTML and php underlying their themes. At WordPress.com all users are working on the same wpMU ( WordPress multi-user) blogging platform, and are all sharing the same templates. As any editing would effect all blogs wearing the same theme, only Staff can access the files and edit them. http://en.support.wordpress.com/themes/editing-themes/
WordPress.com users can use any of the widgets found on this page in support documentation > http://en.support.wordpress.com/topic/widgets-sidebars In addition, WordPress.com users can use any third party widgets on their blogs, provided they do not contain these restricted codes which the software strips out to maintain security on this wpMU ( WordPress multi-user) blogging platform. http://en.support.wordpress.com/code/
The only themes WordPress.com users can use on their free hosted blogs are found here > Dashboard > Appearance > Themes where feature filters have been provided > Browse Themes > assist with theme selection. (A-Z, Popular, Features)
Each theme has a thumbshot and a features summary description. WordPress.com users can browse and when they find one of interest they can click “Preview” and when they are ready to make their selection they can click “Activate” and use the selected theme on their blog.
At WordPress.com where CSS is theme specific WordPress.com users cannot use the CSS stylesheets from other themes, an annually renewable CSS editing upgrade is available. It can be purchased and used by those who have at least a a moderate understanding of HTML and CSS to alter the appearance of their themes but not the functionality. Dashboard > Appearance > Edit CSS
http://en.support.wordpress.com/custom-css/ -
Okay, so let me get this straight.
I can’t edit the graphics on the themes? Or use outside templates? What are all the free wordpress templates offered by outside sources? Can I use those? How?
If I upgrade can I use those outside themes? I am willing to learn how to use word press but I would like a different template with custom graphics.I have seen the headers etc, but I am really limited with just a header graphic. Some of the templates I see have very nice faded backgrounds. I would like to be able to remove those backgrounds and insert my own, but what you are saying is this is not possible?
Please correct me if I am wrong. I am still trying to understand everything. Thanks
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Okay, I reread and read some more. So I guess what I need is to download wordpress (org) to my personal site then? Is that correct?
Thank you for all your help and patience. -
I can’t edit the graphics on the themes?
That’s correct.
Or use outside templates?
That’s correct.
What are all the free wordpress templates offered by outside sources? Can I use those? How?
There are none that you can use on your WordPress.com blog – PERIOD. You can ONLY use the themed found here > Dashboard > Appearance > Themes on your WordPress.COM blog and no others.
If I upgrade can I use those outside themes?
No. There is no such upgrade available and will not be one as WordPress.com and WordPress.ORG are completely separate and run on different software.
I have seen the headers etc, but I am really limited with just a header graphic.
There are 100 themes available here > Dashboard > Appearance > Themes and about 40% of them do have customizable image headers. See here > http://en.support.wordpress.com/themes/custom-header-image/
So I guess what I need is to download wordpress (org) to my personal site then? Is that correct?
No. If what you mean by “my personal site” is your free blog being free hosted by WordPress.com then as I stated above there is no FTP access to WordPress.com blogs.
If what you mean is that you already own a domain and want to set up a WordpRess.org install on it then you must go here for support http://wordpress.ORG/support because WordPress.com and WordPress.org are completely separate and run on different software.
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Okay, I downloaded the wordpress.org software as well as the windows suggest viewer, do I understand it correctly that I now need mysql as well???
Thank you
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The following links will be helpful for your set up of that WordPress.ORG install:
codex – getting started with WordPress.org http://codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page
web hosting http://wordpress.org/hosting/
themes directory http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/
plugins directory http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/We provide support on this forum only to those who have issues with free blogs being free hosted by WordPress.com. You must get all your support for your new WordPress.ORG install from the WordPress.org support forum. It’s here > http://wordpress.ORG/support/
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Bye, bye and best wishes with your new WordPress.org install. :)
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