Messed up header display in new site... :(

Hi gang,

As we get closer and closer to relaunching the site, I think this problem needs to be given more urgent attention. As you've all doubtless seen, Kyle has created an awesome graphic as the new header for the relaunched site! :) Unfortunately as you'll all also probably have seen, the addition of said header graphic has messed up the way the new site displays! :(

In Safari, the header graphic has forced the containing block (white area containing each page's content) hard right - in Firefox and Google Chrome, it's forced it down the page so that there's a huge gap between the top of the page and the bottom... :(

I know that MannyF has spent some time trying to fix this problem in the WordPress site's CSS, and he also asked me if I could locate the problem - sadly, I don't have enough knowledge of the structure of WordPress sites' CSS, and even though I spent a while on it, like Manny I couldn't find the problem. I'm sure it's something annoyingly simple, probably one or two lines of coding, but couldn't find it! :(

So, I'd like to propose a couple of options:

1) We contact Studiopress (from whom MannyF and Mark purchased the WordPress theme we're using) and ask them if they can tell us how to fix it - as they designed the theme, they should know it inside and out

2) I see if one of my contacts in the web design / development / hosting industry can troubleshoot the problem

3) (As a last resort) We hire a professional who specialises in WordPress sites to fix the problem for us, and pay them for their time

All of these options involve sharing the WordPress version of the site outside of the team, but to be honest, as we're so close to launching, I don't think this is a big deal. If we go for option #1 (which I think is perhaps the best choice), IMO the person contacting Studiopress would need to be either MannyF or Mark - I'm very happy to contact them myself, but wonder if they wouldn't talk to me given that the license to use the theme is probably in either Manny or Mark's name... :)

I'd really appreciate some feedback from you guys on this, particularly MannyF, as I really don't feel that we can relaunch the site with the new version displaying like this, I think it will be online for 10 minutes before somebody says "Um, why is your site displaying like that?", LOL - I'm mentioning this now because I don't want anything to delay the February relaunch date, not least of all because we've all worked hard this past month (especially MannyC and Neil) to get the Toy Section ported over in time! :) What do you guys think we should do? :)

Take care... :)

Does He-Man.org use Wordpress? If so I could ask Adam Tyner, as I believe he does all the tech stuff behind the scenes....

This whole header thing has to be looked at ASAP. We are very close to launching the new site and we cannot let this small thing get in front of us.

Neil: It looks like He-Man.org may be using wordpress as well so it may be worth a shot asking Adam, however I think either mannyF or Mark should contact Studiopress to fix this...

Chris: Perhaps you can contact Studiopress about the issue, I really dont think it would be much problem for them to provide you with technical help even if you didnt actually buy the worpress theme. Worth a shot...

"MannysCollectibles, post: 31605" said:

Neil: It looks like He-Man.org may be using wordpress as well so it may be worth a shot asking Adam, however I think either mannyF or Mark should contact Studiopress to fix this...

Thinking about it, I'm not sure how I can show him the problem since the folder is password protected.....unless I give him the log in details to view it? I think he'll know the fix though since it's what he does for his day job ;)

I'll see what he says first with me just describing the problem...;)

"blackiecats, post: 31606" said:

Thinking about it, I'm not sure how I can show him the problem since the folder is password protected.....unless I give him the log in details to view it? I think he'll know the fix though since it's what he does for his day job ;)

I'll see what he says first with me just describing the problem...;)

Just send him a screenshot of the page and perhaps he will know right away

"MannysCollectibles, post: 31607" said:

Just send him a screenshot of the page and perhaps he will know right away

Yeah will do, if he asks. I sent a message off just now as I don't know how long he'll take to reply. I'm assuming he should notice it quite soon since it was via Facebook ;)

Chris here...

"blackiecats, post: 31606" said:

Thinking about it, I'm not sure how I can show him the problem since the folder is password protected.....unless I give him the log in details to view it? I think he'll know the fix though since it's what he does for his day job ;)

I'll see what he says first with me just describing the problem...;)

Awesome stuff, Neil - please LMK what he says! :)

IMO you need to send him a screenshot in both Firefox and Safari, as these create two different display errors, and a text copy of the CSS file we're using, as the problem will 99% certainly be contained in there. I have the two screenshots and can also access the CSS file - I'm in the midst of moving my setup over to Mac which is causing disruption, but if you can be patient I can sort you out with everything you need ASAP! :)

Take care... :)

Adam has replied:

Hey there!

I'm more of a PHP/MySQL guy than a designer, I have to admit, but I might be able to figure something out. Can you send me a link to the Wordpress version so I can take a look?

I have no idea what to link him to! :eek: HELP....!
Merged Post:
Well what should I do? I have no idea what version of Wordpress we are using and very little knowledge on the program.....

Chris here...

"blackiecats, post: 31623" said:

Well what should I do? I have no idea what version of Wordpress we are using and very little knowledge on the program.....

Sorry Neil, been busy, someone came round and stayed a bit longer than I was expecting, LOL! :)

If you can leave this question with me I can provide a complete answer in the next 20 minutes or so - I'll also reply to your e-mail with the same info, in order to "double do it"! :)

Many thanks for looking into this for us! :)

Take care... :)

EDIT: OK, here's all the info I have...

As best as I can tell, the site is constructed using WordPress version 3.0.3, as it's prompting me to upgrade to 3.0.4! ;)

The theme for the site is a straight adaptation of the Genesis Streamline Child Theme created by Studiopress - I'll edit in a website link for the theme in a second... :)

EDIT: Here's the website link: http://www.studiopress.com/themes/streamline

I've uploaded two screenshots that I took on my old laptop (I'm still in the process of setting up my Macbook Pro which is what I'm writing this on), the one that forces the page wide was in Safari for Windows, the one with the huge gap between the header and start of the page was on Firefox for Windows. :)

I've got the CSS file all saved out and I'll e-mail that to you, Neil! :)

I'm really grateful to Adam for taking a look, he's always struck me as a cool guy! Ironically, he's working professionally in the area of web development I've just begun training myself in, PHP / MySQL - the powerful combo that is the basis of all WordPress websites! :)

Take care... :)

Thanks I've updated my reply to him with this information. If he can't help, then maybe it's worth just contacting Studio Press via email or posting on their forums?

With email the worst they can say is "we can only answer questions from a valid license holder"

It's certainly worth a go, otherwise we are gonna be stuck on this one! :( However I have everything crossed Adam can help....:)

Chris here...

"blackiecats, post: 31647" said:

Thanks I've updated my reply to him with this information. If he can't help, then maybe it's worth just contacting Studio Press via email or posting on their forums?

With email the worst they can say is "we can only answer questions from a valid license holder"

It's certainly worth a go, otherwise we are gonna be stuck on this one! :( However I have everything crossed Adam can help....:)

Hey Neil, just to LYK I've just sent you an e-mail that includes the .css file we're using as well as higher-res versions of the two screenshots! :)

I agree completely with everything you say, although there may be other options as I have other contacts in the web design / development industry, it just means showing the new site to someone (else) outside the team. Anyway, let's see what Adam says and go from there! :)

Take care... :)

Just a little update for all the team. It looks like Adam has sorted the problem :)

Check it out:

http://www.facebook.com/l/34edc45Jk_Mbegj_mxUJsSt3kFw;wittydomainname.net/test/test.html

Chris here...

"blackiecats, post: 31657" said:

Just a little update for all the team. It looks like Adam has sorted the problem :)

Check it out:

http://www.facebook.com/l/34edc45Jk_Mbegj_mxUJsSt3kFw;wittydomainname.net/test/test.html

Just to say firstly I'd try this address as that's where that Facebook link takes you (in case any of the team aren't logged into Facebook): http://wittydomainname.net/test/test.html :)

Secondly I'd say that I've booted up the family Windows computer and can say that this solution works on:

Windows: Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, Internet Explorer 6.0 (which means it will probably work with newer versions)
Mac: Safari

...however, sadly it still doesn't work on Safari for Windows, which displays the problem as badly as before, with the header on one side of the page forcing the page container underneath hard right! :( However, if needs be we could probably grit our teeth and live with this, but possibly Adam may be able to come up with a solution. :)

Thirdly and most importantly, massive kudos to Neil for the amazing work with this - Neil, you're a legend my friend! :thumbsup:

Take care... :)

It's displaying fine on Safari (for Windows) for Adam..... so..:confused:

Chris here...

"blackiecats, post: 31659" said:

It's displaying fine on Safari (for Windows) for Adam..... so..:confused:

Hmmmm, maybe it's a glitch with the rendering engine for Safari for Windows that runs on Windows XP?? :confused:

Still, as far as I'm concerned this is brilliant news, because it means that the vast majority of the world wide web will be able to view this without any problems - that's close enough for me, so, let's go for it! :thumbsup:

At the moment I'm without any FTP on my Mac, but will try and get Adam's modified CSS file uploaded as soon as I'm back in business - once that's up, to be honest all I need to do is a handful of pages for the Toy Section (including index pages) and an index page for the Animation Art Community Gallery if Mark wants one, and then as far as I'm concerned we can actually go ahead and launch the new site - the content of mine that's missing I can just add over the coming weeks! :)

Take care... :)

So how about a 1st February launch? :D

Oh and don't the newer news entries need adding to the front page as well? (such as the Mad Bubbler article etc..)

Chris here...

"blackiecats, post: 31664" said:

So how about a 1st February launch? :D

I think the reason we were talking about the first Sunday in February is because Sunday is a good day for MannyF to pull the trigger and move the new WordPress site into the main directory (I'm not 100% certain how to do it without potentially destroying the whole thing, LOL!). But yeah, if it could be done on 1st February, I'm happy with that date! :)

"blackiecats, post: 31664" said:

Oh and don't the newer news entries need adding to the front page as well? (such as the Mad Bubbler article etc..)

Yep, they do indeed - good thinking, Neil! :) Anyone want to take a bash at doing this? AFAIK the blog part of the WordPress is the easiest bit to master, although I'm saying that from the position of never having tried to, LOL! :D

Take care... :)
Merged Post:
Chris here...

Bit of an update for you guys, it looks like our header issue may be solved! I'm back in business with shiny new FTP and HTML editing software and have uploaded the updated CSS file created by Adam Tyner - this looks to have worked! :)

Open up any page of the new site to check it out - if you guys could all LMK if this looks and works OK on your computers / browsers, that would be awesome! :)

Massive thanks to Neil for sorting this out for us, you're a legend, my friend! :)
-----

One question for you guys, which do you prefer, the header graphic with the tagline "A Resource Site" or the one that says "Site Beyond Sight". "A Resource Site" is the one that's up there now. I have both saved, so it's an easy matter for me to "hot swap" them - LMK which you prefer! :)
-----

Now this is sorted, we're right on the verge of being able to re-launch - I've got a few index pages and such I need to put together for the Toy Section and elsewhere, and then most of what's left to do is just what's left of my stuff, which I can work on steadily re-adding once we relaunch! :)

Take care... :)

Site beyond Sight is what I would pick. My question is since a lot of the pics on the toy guide are linked to the current site what will actually happen to those. This is really bugging me because when the transfer happens and the images are gone we will have a big problem in our hands. I think we need to clear that before re-launching

Chris here...

"MannysCollectibles, post: 31687" said:

Site beyond Sight is what I would pick. My question is since a lot of the pics on the toy guide are linked to the current site what will actually happen to those. This is really bugging me because when the transfer happens and the images are gone we will have a big problem in our hands. I think we need to clear that before re-launching

Precisely why I was moving them all into new folders - however, I'm reasonably confident it will be OK, as moving the WordPress stuff to the main site directory shouldn't overwrite anything because I don't think anything has the same file name... :)

I base this on the fact that the WordPress side of things is a database that's generating web pages "on the fly" rather than replacing one set of web pages with another set - taking a look "under the hood" with my FTP software it looks like the only thing it will overwrite is a web page entitled "index.html" which is the current front page of this site. :)

Of greater concern to me is the fact that I'm uncertain of how to back-up the new site, as it's now contained within a MySQL database (each page we've been creating is an entry in the database) - whilst I understand in principle how they work, I've never actually performed a back-up of one before! :( This is something I'll be chatting to MannyF about at the team meeting. :)

Take care... :)