I think the Simple Machines Forum is the best thing I've toyed with in a long time!... BUT....
I would love to learn more about the programs... the coding... the themes.... and everything else related...
This forum here has become over run with seemingly useless information on it. information that could be combined into one text or summarized and put in storage or in a thread way back in the back.... :)
My point is there have been many new releases.. right?... many changes in programming and such.. so allot of the questions and answers posted do not apply anymore... right?.. I don't know.. I am just trying to think of a way to make this all more understandable to learn...
I do not understand most of what is said in the answers around here. It is all Greek to me! I have no experience with php or coding... yet I would also like to create a theme... it seems to me that a person with good or even adequate knowledge could create an editing program that would "insert" images into the code for you.. (ever used stardocks skinstudio?) perhaps an idiots version can be released and placed where an idiot might find it :) (namely me)
A lot of people have said that I should toy with it to learn... you know how long that takes on dial up?... Or is there another way to view the page without being on-line after you change it?.... also... I am still new to SMF as i mentioned.... so I am still creating my forums and promoting them... I have logged in over 100 hrs into the creation of my site in the last week and a half... I haven't found much time to learn coding the long way like this... A simple step by step tutorial on changing images within the forum would be nice... all the extra features and such could remain average as long as the site still looks original... break down the template section by section and item by item and explain what it is linked to or what it does... that way a newbie like myself isn't fumbling in the dark... I could create many great themes as I am very familiar with autocad, Maya, photoshop, paintshop, Bryce, 3ds max and many more top of the line graphics programs... (ms-paint still being my favorite :) ) But instead of creating sweet themes for your software and you... I am spending valuable time "fumbling in the dark" and getting nowhere!......
I don't want you to get the wrong idea... I am not mad.. I am desperate to learn this stuff and can not find the resources I need to get started.... I have tried.. and learned one or two simple things (like changing the logo image...woohoo :) ) but at this rate it is going to take way to long!
A simple HTML tutorial on customizing ones own site shouldn't be to hard to include in the program files...
MUCH respect and kudos to the development teams on this project... very well done.
Danny
I'd suggest starting here:
http://docs.simplemachines.org/index.php?board=45.0;sort=subject
Be sure to check out the rest of the Online Manual.
AGAIN I use the term Kick Butt! THANKS anunlike.... I am sure I can find what i need there... and anything else then should be easier to find after I know the right questions to ask :) Now..... where to start... :-\
, danny