blackmare: (frustrated)
blackmare ([personal profile] blackmare) wrote in [community profile] getting_started2010-09-08 02:55 pm
Entry tags:

Layout help for the utterly clueless?

I know there are plenty of custom layouts available for DW, but it's like pressing my nose against the candy shop window and knowing I can't have any, while the other kids are in there getting toffee and chocolates.

You see, none of the instructions I have found even make sense to me.  I'm not literate with coding and I don't even know what most of the references are to layers, etc., so I seem to be stuck. I need someone to actually walk me through this. I tried once on my own and the results were awful.

Please, is there a Guide for The First-Timer? Preferably with visuals, so that "Enter X code in Y layer" translates to "Type this code into this field right here on this page, see?" 

If there is, it'll help drive a lot more users here, IMO. The two biggest obstacles I'm seeing at LJ are "none of my friends are moving" and "I would move but I hate DW's styles."

For what it's worth, I've already moved, and paid, because my privacy is more important than my layout, but I feel the frustration all the same. 
sophinisba: Gwen looking sexy from Merlin season 2 promo pics (gwen by infinitesunrise)

[personal profile] sophinisba 2010-09-12 08:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Ha, your LJ actually has really similar colors to mine ([livejournal.com profile] sophinisba) - a white or almost-white background, black text, and subdued green and orange links.

I am finding customizing my journal to be easier on Dreamwidth than on LJ, but on the other hand I never found it necessary on LJ because there are so many off-the-shelf ones to choose from. So "don't try if you're not a coder" doesn't bother me as much as "If you don't like our styles just make your own" or "anyone can code this" because, eh, no, I've tried to code it and it's a mess. :) ETA: I get how it would be frustrating though if you're trying to break into it and people tell you not to bother! It does seem like something where putting together some basic information in one place would go a long way./ETA

There's been a lot of helpful discussion and suggestions in this post though (and also at this post by a layout maker.) Thanks a lot for making it, and I hope the art show goes well for you!
Edited (Sometimes I'm not a great listener.) 2010-09-12 22:33 (UTC)