I just started and am totally confused!

[Larry the Newb]

I just started and am totally confused!

HI all....

Call me Larry the Newb... 

I have a webhost, installed SMF 1.08 in the pubic index, upgraded to 1.09 and have created the Admin account and registered 3 other people so far. Made a couple of categories and set some of the misc board features. (have done this type of thing before using different type of boards)

So far so good....

Here are some areas that I do not understand. And NEED  serious help.

1) I want to make a Theme? that is  change the colors, add a logo type banner, and even if possible, remove the SMF logo from the top (header?) and replace the buttons.

On other types, you simply enter the control panel, select what you want to do (colors, buttons, banners, header, footer, etc) and make the changes, save it and done. Very easy and 'user/newbie friendly.

I cant find any of that on this app. Please don't tell me I must do it all in HTML or script or something like that.....  If so, would that mean > FTP my board to my office computer, use an editor...like Dreamweaver, insert the various things...essentially creating a new theme ....  and then uploading it back to my host server?

2) another thing..  I cant seem to find a way to give permissions Specifcally to individuals. Is it all just group permissions? I'm sure that must be a way to assign a specific Moderator to each specific board?

I came to SMF because I was told its the best. But so far, I don't seem to find it something I can actually use without massive effort to do things that are  technically just beyond my training.....

I hope I'm missing something simple that someone can point me to, Please.

[Brad-JHU]

Hi Larry,  I am a NOOB as well.

For the logo, you can just save your logo as smflogo.gif and then FTP it to the proper folder which I beleive is "themes/default/images"  and overwrite the existing file.

Unforunetly, I dont think there is another easy way to do this besides messing with the coding.  Trying searching this board and I bet you fill find answers to your other questions.

[Niteblade]

We were all noobs once. I'm not that good myself.

First of all, if you want to change the way SMF looks, then I would recommend that you visit http://www.tinyportal.net and check out some of the free SMF themes. You can compare and contrast the code inside the differing files to see what's missing or what's been moved around.

You would have to create another user group for "special" people. Those special people would inherit the permissions from the regular members, for example. Then, when you do into your board or category permissions, you set those "special" people as having the only permissions to see it or post in it or whatever. This way, they can participate in everything that "regular" members can do, but unlike normal members, they have a special permissions.

I don't know if I helped out, but I'm sure someone smarter than me will come along.