FAQ
G E N E R A L
T H E P O S T I N G F O R M
S 1 S T Y L E S
S 2 S T Y L E S
G E N E R A L
Why should I join?gawariel_design is a members only community, i.e., the layouts are only viewable to logged-in members of the community.
So, if you want to see the layouts and use them, you need to join. You can join by clicking here.
Also, I ask you to join the community with the journal you are using the layout on. I absolutely do NOT allow redistribution of layouts. If you have a friend who wants a layout like yours, do not give her/him the code but redirect them to this community.
If you want to use the layout on a community, which you own or moderate; please, leave a comment on that layout-post saying for which community you are going to use it.
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Do I need to credit you for your layouts? / How do I credit?It is only natural that, when you take something from someone, you credit them for it. How to credit depends on whether the layout is in the S1 or S2 style:
S 1 L a y o u t s:
All layouts have a build-in credit link to the community. NEVER remove that link!
When I use art that belongs to someone else, I add a copyright symbol with the name of the artist. If you hover over it you will see it is also a link redirecting you to the artists site. NEVER remove that link either.
If the layout has a sidebar, I add a subdivision with information about that layout.
I put this in as a default. You are not obligated to keep that subdivision there, as there are already other credit-links on the layout.
S 2 L a y o u t s:
S2 layouts require for you to add a link to the community in your sidebar or in your userinfo.
Newer S2 layouts are equiped with a footer which has credit written on it. This is not a link!
Regardless of which style your layout is made in, you can always link me with or without using one of these buttons.
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Can I use your layouts on other blogger-sites?There are many sites that resemble LJ (GreatestJournal, InsaneJournal,...) and many people have accounts on several of these sites. That poses the question whether my layouts can be used on other sites besides Livejournal.
I absolutely see no harm in you using my layouts on other sites on ONE CONDITION: do NOT remove the credits or, if credits aren't in the layout, place a link to gawariel_design in your journal/profile.
However, you must know that I cannot garantee that the layouts I made for LJ will work on other sites!
I will NOT check for you which work and which don't. If a layout does not work DON'T ask me to try and make it work! You're on your own.
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Do I need to upload the images to my own host?All images are uploaded to the community's paid photobucket account, so it is not absolutely necessary that you do so.
However, it might be safer (in terms of bandwith) to upload the images yourself.
Users with a Paid LJ account can host the images in their Scrapbook. All users can sign up for a free Photobucket account.
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I uploaded the images to my own Photobucket account and changed the URLs in the code. How come my layout doesn't look like the preview?Does your layout look weird after you changed the links of the images to links of your own? This is probably caused by Photobucket.
Read more about this here.
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Am I allowed to change your layouts?Well, my first reaction would be no, no and no.
I have spend a lot of work on these layouts, and I don't want people to go changing them. I make layouts, not templates.
However, I realize I cannot stop you from using the codes and change them anyway. So as long as you follow these guidlines I will agree:
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When I changed the layout, can I post the new code for others to use?N O!
You can not, under any circumstance, repost/redistribute the layouts found here, no matter how much changes you made on them. Editting my layouts is only allowed under the above restrictions AND for personal use only!
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What browsers do you test your layouts in?I test all layouts in the latest versions of MozillaFirefox (current version = 2.0.0.9) and Internet Explorer (current version = 7.0).
Browser updates are usually free, so I will assume people update their browsers when prompted.
I'm sorry, but I do not have access to other browsers. You are always free to inform me if a layout works in other browsers than the ones stated, so that I can adjust the information of that layout.
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Can I make a suggestion? / Where can I make a suggestion?Suggestions are always welcome! Through the years, I have accumulated several suggestion posts, but these are the official ones:
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What do I do if my question isn't asnwered in the FAQ?If you are certain that your question isn't answered anywhere, you can comment to the HELP! post here.
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Do you take requests?Sporadically, I do take requests and when I do, I'll inform you through the community.
To see the rules and guidelines, go here. To see a showcase of all the requests filled, go here.
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T H E P O S T I N G F O R M
What does ' Works with ads? ' mean?This section in the posting-form informs you whether that layout works with a Plus account or not.
As most of you know, LJ has 3 different (main) account levels:
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How do I change the placement or orientation of my adds?LJ gives your 3 different options to place adds on your journal:
How do you change from one orientation to the other?
Go to Manage - Customize. Scroll down to "3. Choose a Page Setup". Next to "Add placement" you can find a little drop down menu where you can change the orientation of your adds. [screenshot]
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How do I change my Account Level?Your account level is displayed on your User Info page, completely at the bottom.
To change your account level, you need to go to Manage - Account Status. The page this link will bring you to looks different depending on which account you have:
Select whatever it is that you want and follow the instructions.
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What does ' Works with Navigation Strip? ' mean?The Navigation Strip is the coloured bar at the top of your journal page [See]. LJ has it turned on by default.
Most of my S1 layouts look better without the navigation strip. Go here to learn how to turn it of.
S2 layouts are, normally, compatible with the navigation strip. You can learn how to turn it off/on here
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S 1 S T Y L E S
How do I install and S1-style layout?You can read a tutorial on how to install an S1 layout here.
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How do I create the same look for all my journal-views?This question is a bit dated, but I did not want to remove it in case it could still be usefull.
In the beginning of this community I only created S1 layouts and then I only coded for the Global and Lastn view. This meant that only your Recent page was completely customized. You had to create the codes for your Friends, Calendar and Day pages yourself. You can find a tutorial on how you would go about doing that here.
Now, I have updated the codes of all S1 layouts, so that they include all views (Global, Lastn, Friends, Calendar and Day). So, you do not need to worry about this anymore.
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How come my header/sidebar isn't showing?Have you listed a website in your userinfo? *Points to installation tutorial here*
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How come my icon doesn't show up with each entry?S1 layouts do not show your icon with each entry. This is an S2 feature only.
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How come my entries don't appear in the box designed for them?What is your account level?
Most of my S1 layouts do not work with a Plus account. If you do have a Plus account and use an incompatible S1 layout, the wrong placement of the entry-text usually is a symptome. How to change your account level is answered here.
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How can I change my browser title? Here.
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How do I remove the Navigation Strip in an S1 layout?Most of my S1 layouts look better without the navigation strip.
Mostly, the header of the S1 layout covers the strip up, but having the strip turned on will make your entries & icon shift down, sometimes making the layout look ugly. Occasionally, it is possible that the navigation strip covers up the header (so, the other way around) of your S1 layout.
To turn the navigation strip off for an S1 layout, follow these steps:
- Why should I join?
- Do I need to credit you for your layouts? / How do I credit?
- Can I use your layouts on other blogger-sites?
- Do I need to upload the images to my own host?
- I uploaded the images to my own Photobucket account and changed the URLs in the code. How come my layout doesn't look like the preview?
- Am I allowed to change your layouts?
- When I changed the layout, can I post the new code for others to use?
- What browsers do you test your layouts in?
- Can I make a suggestion? / Where can I make a suggestion?
- What do I do if my question isn't asnwered in the FAQ?
- Do you take requests?
T H E P O S T I N G F O R M
- What does ' Works with ads? ' mean?
- How do I change the placement or orientation of my adds?
- How do I change my Account Level?
- What does ' Works with Navigation Strip? ' mean?
S 1 S T Y L E S
- How do I install and S1-style layout?
- How do I create the same look for all my journal-views?Obsolete
- How come my header/sidebar isn't showing?
- How come my icon doesn't show up with each entry?
- How come my entries don't appear in the box designed for them?
- How can I change my browser title?
- How do I remove the Navigation Strip in an S1 layout?
S 2 S T Y L E S
G E N E R A L
Why should I join?gawariel_design is a members only community, i.e., the layouts are only viewable to logged-in members of the community.
So, if you want to see the layouts and use them, you need to join. You can join by clicking here.
Also, I ask you to join the community with the journal you are using the layout on. I absolutely do NOT allow redistribution of layouts. If you have a friend who wants a layout like yours, do not give her/him the code but redirect them to this community.
If you want to use the layout on a community, which you own or moderate; please, leave a comment on that layout-post saying for which community you are going to use it.
Back to Top
Do I need to credit you for your layouts? / How do I credit?It is only natural that, when you take something from someone, you credit them for it. How to credit depends on whether the layout is in the S1 or S2 style:
S 1 L a y o u t s:
All layouts have a build-in credit link to the community. NEVER remove that link!
When I use art that belongs to someone else, I add a copyright symbol with the name of the artist. If you hover over it you will see it is also a link redirecting you to the artists site. NEVER remove that link either.
If the layout has a sidebar, I add a subdivision with information about that layout.
I put this in as a default. You are not obligated to keep that subdivision there, as there are already other credit-links on the layout.
S 2 L a y o u t s:
S2 layouts require for you to add a link to the community in your sidebar or in your userinfo.
Newer S2 layouts are equiped with a footer which has credit written on it. This is not a link!
Regardless of which style your layout is made in, you can always link me with or without using one of these buttons.
Back to Top
Can I use your layouts on other blogger-sites?There are many sites that resemble LJ (GreatestJournal, InsaneJournal,...) and many people have accounts on several of these sites. That poses the question whether my layouts can be used on other sites besides Livejournal.
I absolutely see no harm in you using my layouts on other sites on ONE CONDITION: do NOT remove the credits or, if credits aren't in the layout, place a link to gawariel_design in your journal/profile.
However, you must know that I cannot garantee that the layouts I made for LJ will work on other sites!
I will NOT check for you which work and which don't. If a layout does not work DON'T ask me to try and make it work! You're on your own.
Back to Top
Do I need to upload the images to my own host?All images are uploaded to the community's paid photobucket account, so it is not absolutely necessary that you do so.
However, it might be safer (in terms of bandwith) to upload the images yourself.
Users with a Paid LJ account can host the images in their Scrapbook. All users can sign up for a free Photobucket account.
Back to Top
I uploaded the images to my own Photobucket account and changed the URLs in the code. How come my layout doesn't look like the preview?Does your layout look weird after you changed the links of the images to links of your own? This is probably caused by Photobucket.
Read more about this here.
Back to Top
Am I allowed to change your layouts?Well, my first reaction would be no, no and no.
I have spend a lot of work on these layouts, and I don't want people to go changing them. I make layouts, not templates.
However, I realize I cannot stop you from using the codes and change them anyway. So as long as you follow these guidlines I will agree:
- Comment on the layout post saying that you used that layout, but editted it somewhat.
- Keep all the credits up! It is still my layout, even though you have changed some images or something.
- Add somewhere in the sidebar or userinfo that you have editted the original layout and add a link to the original.
- Changing graphics in the original layout is at your own risk! If you mess it up, it's your problem. I do not intend to spend all my time on people editting my layouts and not knowing how. If you don't know what you're doing then don't do it!
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When I changed the layout, can I post the new code for others to use?N O!
You can not, under any circumstance, repost/redistribute the layouts found here, no matter how much changes you made on them. Editting my layouts is only allowed under the above restrictions AND for personal use only!
Back to Top
What browsers do you test your layouts in?I test all layouts in the latest versions of MozillaFirefox (current version = 2.0.0.9) and Internet Explorer (current version = 7.0).
Browser updates are usually free, so I will assume people update their browsers when prompted.
I'm sorry, but I do not have access to other browsers. You are always free to inform me if a layout works in other browsers than the ones stated, so that I can adjust the information of that layout.
Back to Top
Can I make a suggestion? / Where can I make a suggestion?Suggestions are always welcome! Through the years, I have accumulated several suggestion posts, but these are the official ones:
- Layout suggestions: here.
- Tutorial suggestions: here.
- FAQ suggestions: here.
- Community/General suggestions: here.
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What do I do if my question isn't asnwered in the FAQ?If you are certain that your question isn't answered anywhere, you can comment to the HELP! post here.
Back to Top
Do you take requests?Sporadically, I do take requests and when I do, I'll inform you through the community.
To see the rules and guidelines, go here. To see a showcase of all the requests filled, go here.
Back to Top
T H E P O S T I N G F O R M
What does ' Works with ads? ' mean?This section in the posting-form informs you whether that layout works with a Plus account or not.
As most of you know, LJ has 3 different (main) account levels:
- B a s i c: For free users, who do not like adds.
- P l u s: For free users, who want extra features without paying for them. These extras are subsidized by advertisments appearing on the system pages and the account holder's journal.
- P a i d: For users who want extra features on their layout, without having to allow adds on their page.
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How do I change the placement or orientation of my adds?LJ gives your 3 different options to place adds on your journal:
- Vertical
- Horizontal
- Between Entries
How do you change from one orientation to the other?
Go to Manage - Customize. Scroll down to "3. Choose a Page Setup". Next to "Add placement" you can find a little drop down menu where you can change the orientation of your adds. [screenshot]
Back to Top
How do I change my Account Level?Your account level is displayed on your User Info page, completely at the bottom.
To change your account level, you need to go to Manage - Account Status. The page this link will bring you to looks different depending on which account you have:
Select whatever it is that you want and follow the instructions.
Back to Top
What does ' Works with Navigation Strip? ' mean?The Navigation Strip is the coloured bar at the top of your journal page [See]. LJ has it turned on by default.
Most of my S1 layouts look better without the navigation strip. Go here to learn how to turn it of.
S2 layouts are, normally, compatible with the navigation strip. You can learn how to turn it off/on here
Back to Top
S 1 S T Y L E S
How do I install and S1-style layout?You can read a tutorial on how to install an S1 layout here.
Back to Top
How do I create the same look for all my journal-views?This question is a bit dated, but I did not want to remove it in case it could still be usefull.
In the beginning of this community I only created S1 layouts and then I only coded for the Global and Lastn view. This meant that only your Recent page was completely customized. You had to create the codes for your Friends, Calendar and Day pages yourself. You can find a tutorial on how you would go about doing that here.
Now, I have updated the codes of all S1 layouts, so that they include all views (Global, Lastn, Friends, Calendar and Day). So, you do not need to worry about this anymore.
Back to Top
How come my header/sidebar isn't showing?Have you listed a website in your userinfo? *Points to installation tutorial here*
Back to Top
How come my icon doesn't show up with each entry?S1 layouts do not show your icon with each entry. This is an S2 feature only.
Back to Top
How come my entries don't appear in the box designed for them?What is your account level?
Most of my S1 layouts do not work with a Plus account. If you do have a Plus account and use an incompatible S1 layout, the wrong placement of the entry-text usually is a symptome. How to change your account level is answered here.
Back to Top
How can I change my browser title? Here.
Back to Top
How do I remove the Navigation Strip in an S1 layout?Most of my S1 layouts look better without the navigation strip.
Mostly, the header of the S1 layout covers the strip up, but having the strip turned on will make your entries & icon shift down, sometimes making the layout look ugly. Occasionally, it is possible that the navigation strip covers up the header (so, the other way around) of your S1 layout.
To turn the navigation strip off for an S1 layout, follow these steps:
- Go to your Customization page, on the Visual Options tab
- Scroll down to the section Navigation Strip (5th section).
- Uncheck both boxes to turn the navigation strip OFF. [See]
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S 2 S T Y L E S
How do I install that S2 layout?Each S2-layout post has a section called Installation, in which it is clearly explained how to install that particular layout.
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How do I remove the Navigation Strip in an S2 layout?Usually, S2 layouts are compatible with the Navigation Strip, so it does not pose a problem.
However, to turn the navigation strip on/off for an S2 layout, follow these steps:- Go to your Customization options.
- In the left, blue sidebar; click on Display.
- Scroll down to the section Navigation Strip
- To turn it on, CHECK both boxes. To turn it off UNCHECK them both. [See]
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Keep in mind that this page can change at any time. It is an endless WIP!
