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Having problems installing a Blogger xml template? READ THIS
Saturday, 21 February 2009
Sometimes, when you try and change your template, errors unfortunately occur.There may be a few reasons for getting this error. I have done my best to outline (below) popular causes for getting an error when trying to install my templates.
1) CHECK YOU HAVE UNZIPPED THE FOLDER YOU DOWNLOADED:
I offer my templates as zipped (.zip) folders. The zip folder you download from suckmylolly.com contains a few files that have been compressed, to reduce their file size. Usually this folder will contain the blogger template - template.xml for example - my terms and conditions and an extra folder which contains the images. You cannot expect to upload this .zip folder and have it work - why?: because it's a compressed folder and not a blogger template. Uploading the .xml file will NOT (USUALLY) CAUSE ANY ERRORS but uploading the .zip file will not work. You must UNZIP this folder before installing the template.
If you don't know how to unzip files then I advise you to read this or this. I do not use Windows all the time but I believe that for Vista and XP - all you need do is to double click the file to unzip it (or right click).
2) TRY ANOTHER BROWSER:
I too get an unexplained error message sometimes when I test my templates. I have no idea why this happens but either waiting a little while or trying another web browser often fixes things.
3) ERRORS WITH WIDGET LABELLING:
If you can *almost* install the template (ie: it asks you to confirm that you're about to delete your widgets but then when you click "OK" you get an error) - then you might need to change something in the code. This error occurs because the widgets are labelled incorrectly and Blogger gets confused when you try and change the template. I have no idea why this happens to some people and not to others but it's really quite simple to fix:
1. Before making any change, you should backup your current template. This can be done by going to "LAYOUT" >> "EDIT HTML" and then clicking on "Download Full Template".
2. Make sure you have some sidebar elements - eg: Profile, Blog Archive, Followers - before trying to upload the new template (this is so that you get the 'Widgets are about to be deleted warning').
3. Go to LAYOUT >> EDIT HTML and attempt to upload the new .xml template again. This will then bring up a page which lists the widgets about to be deleted - this is normal when installing a new template. You are then asked to confirm this step. Instead of confirming, follow the steps below:
4. Press Control+F (find function) and search for this phrase within the big box of code:
You should find some code such as these:
5. Change the number "1" in the code to be a "2".
ie: so it would now look like this:
Repeat this step for all these that you find in the code (change all the 1s to be 2s)
6. Confirm and save. This worked for me. I realise that it's quite scary to change your blog html if you're not experienced with html code, but it's quite a simple change and this is also the reason I recommend backing up your template before making any changes. Unfortunately things do sometimes go wrong so you should be prepared.
Of course I only recommend trying this last method if you feel comfortable altering the html. You may have trouble uploading any customised template unless this is altered.
6. Confirm and save. This worked for me. I realise that it's quite scary to change your blog html if you're not experienced with html code, but it's quite a simple change and this is also the reason I recommend backing up your template before making any changes. Unfortunately things do sometimes go wrong so you should be prepared.
Of course I only recommend trying this last method if you feel comfortable altering the html. You may have trouble uploading any customised template unless this is altered.
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How to install XML templates...
Thursday, 19 July 2007
These are the instructions for installing an .xml blogger template (whimsytemplate.xml for example). Please read these instructions carefully.
Information on unzipping files:
Please be aware that I offer my templates as zipped (.zip) folders. The zip folder you download from suckmylolly.com contains a few files that have been compressed, to reduce their file size. Usually this folder will contain the blogger template - template.xml for example - my terms and conditions and an extra folder which contains the images. You cannot expect to upload this .zip folder and have it work - why?: because it's a compressed folder and not a blogger template.
You must UNZIP this folder before installing the template.
If you don't know how to unzip files then I advise you to read this or this. I do not use Windows but I believe that for Vista and XP - all you need do is to double click the file to unzip it.
How to install the template:
Log into your Blogger account and click on "Layout"
Select the "LAYOUT" tab and then from the Template page, please click on the "Edit HTML" submenu.
(click image for a larger view)
At the top of this page it says "Backup/Restore Template" and advises you to download your current template (good idea, incase things go weird).
The next step is to upload the suckmylolly.com template you like by "browsing" your computer for the .xml file that you downloaded and clicking on "upload".
(click for a larger view)
There is no need to touch the big box of code underneath this (unless of course you know html/xml). You MUST upload the .XML file from your computer - trying to upload anything else will not work!!
Deleting widgets when you install a template:
If you have a lot of widgets/gadgets in your blog then trying to change your template will bring up a screen like this one (see image below). Basically it's letting you know that by changing your template you're going to lose your widgets. These are deleted when you change your Blogger template and I don't know how to get around this.
Deleting widgets when you install a template:
If you have a lot of widgets/gadgets in your blog then trying to change your template will bring up a screen like this one (see image below). Basically it's letting you know that by changing your template you're going to lose your widgets. These are deleted when you change your Blogger template and I don't know how to get around this.
I advise that you back up your widgets (ie: copy and paste the info into a Word document and then re-add it once you've installed your template).
NOTE: IF YOU EXPERIENCE AN ERROR after this step, please read the help section here.
NOTE: IF YOU EXPERIENCE AN ERROR after this step, please read the help section here.
Done! View your blog to see the changes! Easy peasy!
The biggest issue you'll probably have is not reading these instructions properly - please check this twice before contacting me.
Having trouble with CLASSIC vs XML templates?
ie: want to upgrade your template?
Some people may be using "old" or "classic" templates and want to upgrade to "new" Blogger to take advantage of the newer features. How can you identify which type of Blogger you're using (ie: old/new).
click image for a larger preview
Here is a screen grab of a "classic" template area (above). If this is what your "Layout" area looks like then you're using "old" blogger. To switch to "new" blogger all you have to do is click on "Customise Design" and it will guide you through the steps and ask you to pick a new design. Pick any one (easily changeable). Viola!
click image for a larger preview
Here is a screen grab of a "new blogger" template area (above). If this is what your "Layout" area looks like then you're using new blogger and are ready to upload .xml templates. Nothing needs changing. Hoorah!
"HEY, I STILL CAN'T INSTALL IT!!"
OK - as I have mentioned above, the templates do install. I test them!
Sometimes Blogger encounters an error (yes, this happens to me sometimes) but it has nothing to do with the template as is, in fact, a temporary error with Blogger. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Wait a few hours and try again - or try another browser. This usually works for me. If you're having troubles still (after the confirmation to delete widgets ---> READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS)
The issue might be with the way your widgets are labelled. Click here for detailed instructions on how to fix this issue.
UPDATE - MARCH 2009
I'm afraid I am turning comments off this post because I get too many comments saying that you cannot get the template to work when I know that 99% of problems can be remidied by the above steps! I simpley do not have time to respond to individual questions so please go to the BLOGGER HELP FORUMS if you need assistance with technical errors. Thanks and sorry!
Labels: FAQs, how to, install, instructions
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About me...
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
Hi! I hope you like my blogger templates.My name is Sharnee and I started suckmylolly.com as a creative outlet. If I didn't design blogger templates for the public then I would probably be changing my own design every other day!
And besides... it's much more fun to share! (I believe that wholeheartedly). As you may have noticed, all my designs are released under Creative Commons 3.0 - worldwide - so that means that you can use them for whatever purpose you want and I don't mind one bit! I even don't mind if they're used for commercial purposes (just make sure you show me - because the ego is a beautiful thing). I also appreciate keeping the link back to me because it gets more people aware of my templates - the less generic in this world the better!
I never honestly thought that so many people would like my templates (and that really does fill me up with warm fuzzies). I like aesthetically pleasing things and I don't think a blog should be neglected - even if it may be perused by people in Google Reader.
There are also a lot of blog design templates out there that are made by... well I don't know who. Robots? I can promise that I make each and every one of these templates individually and it's not
just a matter of slapping one new pic on a template and giving it a new name. Each one of my designs is made up of about 5 images that all piece together.Anyway, that's all boring stuff.
I like:
- cats
- candy (strangely enough I don't enjoy the taste of sugary-candy but I LOVE the way it looks) - I do love chocolate though!
- birthday cakes from 1950s - 1980s
- retro images of motels
- boys
- toast
- Swimmer goods (Japanese)
- icanhascheezburger.com
- Christmas pudding
- confusing myself with the notion of time travel
Thanks for supporting me!
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How to install "classic" templates:
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
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PLEASE BE AWARE: that classic blogger designs are not compatible with "drag & drop" style widgets. If you want to add things to the side bar then you're going to have to edit the design yourself. You CAN add widgets but you will have to copy and paste the html/javascript code that is provided from wherever you got the widget from into the area of the code where you want the widget to be?
Don't know much about web design/html then I'd recommend that you use XML designs instead.
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Here are the instructions for installing "old" or "classic" blogger templates.
Most of my older designs are this format - when you downloaded the template you'll find a .txt file of the code you need to use.
Here's what you've gotta do:
Log into your Blogger account and click on "Settings"
Select the "Template" tab and then from the Template page, please click on the "Edit HTML" submenu.
(click for a larger view)
At the bottom of the "Edit HTML" page (under the text box which is full of code), you will see a link: "Revert to Classic Template"
(click for a larger view)
A pop up window will open which says: "If you revert to your Classic Template, you will still be able to recover your current design. Click OK to revert".
CLICK "OK"
A page will then load (after you've clicked OK) which is another text box full of code. Please select all this text [either with your mouse or click CONTROL+A] DELETE ALL THIS TEXT
(click for a larger view)
Open the .txt file which has the code for your new Blogger design.
Select ALL this text [either with your mouse or click CONTROL+A] Copy this text [either using mouse, menu bar or CONTROL+C]
NOTE: If you want to save a copy of this text before you replace it, feel free to do so here.
Paste this text into the now empty text box [either by using menu or CONTROL+V] If you want to PREVIEW the design before you commit the changes, click PREVIEW. It will probably open a new window so you can check it.
When you are ready to save it, go back to the previous window (where you just pasted the code) and click SAVE! DO NOT PANIC if things get weird because it's very easy to chose a generic design and start again from scratch.
The biggest issue you'll probably have is not reading these instructions properly - please check this twice before contacting me. All the templates DO work, as I check them pretty thoroughly.
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