Learning Curve?

[Probably]

Hello,
I hope I have posted this in the correct forum. I am a moderator and administrator of a site, I am not the owner. The owner though has given me access to post here to ask any questions I may have. Currently we have a tech that handles all issues with the servers, backups, etc. I handle the moderating, and I am familiar with everything in the adminstrative panel. However, we really don't have a designer. The look of our forum works well for the types of members we target (36,000+ members and growing), but it is bland. I feel the forum is not living up to the full potential of everything that the vbulletin format offers. Our look offers no *pop*, and I would like to learn how to update it a little. Meaning maybe add new buttons, add a new color theme, I especially like the hack "quick style chooser", but I have no idea how to learn this stuff. All of you seem very knowledgeable here, are you all designers? I am just an average person here, with I feel decent intelligence, but what's the learning curve here? How do I go about learning how to install hacks, and utlilize all the stuff that is out there for a vbulletin forum? Ultimately I would really like the site to have a portal which I know the owner would also like. Do I stand a chance at learning this stuff?
Can someone point me in some direction that may teach me?
Thank you for your time,

[Brad]

The learning curve will depend on if you have any programming experience. Do you know basic HTML and CSS? What about Javascript? Do you know any PHP at all? Have you worked with MySQL before? Can you hold your own in photoshop?

If you have no experience with these tools it will take you longer to catch on. Like my dad used to say you can't drive a nail unless you know how to swing a hammer.

[Reeve of shinra]

I started off with zero knowledge. Luckilly for you, the mods here are well documented and most are now plugins which require no code edits thus making your life easier and the learning curve a little longer since you wont be touching the code as much.

welcome to vb.org btw.

[Andreas]

[high]* Andreas kinda sucks when it comes to design
[/high]

Btw.: The Quick Style Chooser is a standard feature.

[Probably]

[QUOTE=Andreas
Btw.: The Quick Style Chooser is a standard feature.[/QUOTE]

Really? how come I don't see it then? How do I get to it?

sorry, never mind I see.

[Princeton]

The way to learn is by "getting your hands dirty"...
- open a test site and start testing
- don't be afraid to ask questions; there is no such thing as a stupid question; yea, some people will laugh at you but WHO CARES ... as long as you learn and get the job done--that is all that matters. Believe me, you will learn a whole lot faster this way.

If you don't know how to code in XHTML or CSS ... I suggest you start learning before you dive into the templates.

NOTE: There is no need to edit the php files as most modifications can be done via plugins.

Hey Andreas,
If you need any help in "design" give me a holler. I can do anything with vbulletin ... all valid XHTML/CSS of course.

[Zachariah]

There are no stupid questions.
- It's a jungle, but there are many people out there with lots of love to give.

VB Docs
http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html

Quick tips
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=107

Modification Tutorials
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/forumdisplay.php?f=110

[Princeton]

There are no stupid questions.

is a phrase I use all the time

thank you Zachariah for informing me of my mistake ... it's been edited

[Zachariah]

Originally Posted by princeton

thank you Zachariah for informing me of my mistake ... it's been edited

What ?
- 5 shots of tequila :lick: yumm

What was fixed ? , who .... tilt.

[Princeton]

lol ... yea, I noticed you edited your post -- it's cool; we all make mistakes

you drinking tequila me drinking daiquiries - yea ... and ... I drink whatever my wife gives me ... it's stronger than my beer