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I am not sure with XOOPS 2.2 of anything....
I know that in earlier more stable versions of XOOPS you have to clone the default template set before making changes to any of the templates. In XOOPS 2.0.15 you can actually do it without cloning but you have to add them to the themes folder you are using (which is a great idea). You can review XOOPS 2.0.15 features and change log for more info.
Change method for templates:
Go to admin/system/templates
Clone the default set of templates by using the Clone btn.
Name the new set what you want to call it
Save/Submit (you will now have two sets of identical templates)
Now go to admin/system/preferences/general-settings
Change the Default Template from Default to the Name of the template set you just cloned/created and named. (it will be in a pull down window)
Make sure your Update Templates/Html is set to "Yes" while you are there.
Scroll to bottom and click Go.
Now go into your admin/system/blocks and create your custom block, set it to visible, assign access to user groups etc.
I think I remembered all the steps.
All of this is in the F.A.Q.s, Documentation and Tutorials.
HTH
Best of Luck
Quest