I know this question must have been asked a thousand times, and it is probably one of the first puzzling things a newb encounters after installing their first XOOPS website. I have searched for the answer and I am embarrassed to say, I was unable to find a clear answer to this question. Only hints based on the context.
I attempted to edit one of the default blocks, and saw the link entitled "edit template". So I click this link only to discover that I can't edit it. I can only view it. How can you edit a block template? And more importantly, should you? After searching this website for that last hour, I have not found a clear definitive answer to this most basic of newb questions. After reading a lot of unrelated information, I suspect that you aren't supposed to edit the default set of templates, your supposed to clone them, then edit them.
My real question is: Where is the clear answer to this most basic of newb questions, and what steps would have intuitively led me to the answer? The sooner I can find my own answers, the better off I will be. And before people give me knee jerk responses like "use the search box! Duh!". I did try to search the articles, wiki, and forum using terms like "edit template" and "edit block". For me, searching for these terms was the most intuitive way to find my answer. I also looked in the Wiki and tried to find the answer. Im baffled..

My guess was wrong. I cloned the block, but the new block doesn't have the option to edit the template. Why give me an "Edit Template" link on the original block, if it wont let me change anything?

Yup, you right on that one. I guess we have to clone a template set before we can edit any template in admin. It took me some years to realize that. Meanwhile I always edit the files.

I just figured that out (again). I made a XOOPS intranet about 5 years ago, but I forgot everything. ;p
I guess there is also a way to override the templates by modifying your theme.. But there should be an easy way to modify your block templates from the control panel IMHO. It's good to know it can be done by cloning the entire template set, but this is a little counter intuitive for the newb. Something should be added to the documentation to elaborate on this (unless it's there and I missed it).

Well, I have used XOOPS for a few years now, but I am still very much a rookie.

As I understand it, the only purpose of 'cloning the templates' is so that you have something to fall back on if you make a real mess of it...

Finding the answer to what you need can be difficult. As you pointed out, sometimes you can find it by search and sometimes you can not.

You can 'edit' the template block on your PC.

How did your XOOPS files get onto the server in the first place?

I use either Dreamweaver or Filezilla.

Find the appropriate template file on your local PC. Make a backup copy of the file.

Edit the template file to your hearts content.

Then upload the new file to your XOOPS server.

{CRASH THE SYSTEM}...

Reload the old template file...

Edit the file again...

Reload it...

{Crash the system again}

Repeat some more...

Template files for a module you
are working on are in the

module/{name_of_module}/templates

Curious.

I went to Block Administration. There is one XOOPSPOLL block.

So I tried cloning it.

A new cloned block shows up, but it does not have a template associated with it.

It also looks as if you can only 'view' the template in the 'edit template' spot.

Perhaps they need to rename that function.

Perhaps I should read the WIKI instructions first. :)

https://xoops.org/modules/mediawiki/index.php/Operation_Guide

The default template is not editable. I have to clone it to get an editable version.

Quote: Yah, that is what confused me. The word "edit", certainly implies you should be able to make changes. As for editing the template files locally and then uploading, I certainly can do that, but that isn't really in the spirit of a CMS. A CMS should not just be a shortcut for lazy programmers. It should be a simple tool for the technically impaired (read retarded). All common tasks should be able to be completed from within the control panel IMHO. If you want to modify a block, you shouldn't need to edit code locally. In a perfect world..
Your right about cloning the template set to enable editing.. Apparently you should first install all of the modules you want to use, then clone the entire template set, then activate your new cloned set. i havent tried it yet, but you should be able to edit the cloned templates from within the control panel. Then the default set becomes the backup.

Quote:

Nope.

The FIRST question is 'WHERE ARE ALL THE MODULES'.

The NEXT question is 'WHICH OF THESE MODULES WORK!!!'.


ROFLOL