Layouts vs. Gantry Divider and RT docs
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- jdw-dd
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I'm trying to set up my first site using the RT approach. I'm finding the Gantry architecture confusing re: Layout tab functionality versus the "Gantry Divider" widget. The latter must be placed in what amount to "standard rows" (DIVs) accessible via the Layout tab. In the Layout section, the relative column width of Widget areas is established and the number of columns per row.
Once you get over to the standard Appearance/Widgets screen, where "Gantry Dividers" must be placed to create columns within the standard RT rows, there is no visual reminder onscreen of column numbers and width allocations, which is a serious (Gantry) design weakness. But, also, since the Layout manager involves establishing the number of columns per row/DIV, seems to me there should be no need for the "Gantry Divider" Widget at all - each consecutive Widget for that row/DIV should fill in a subsequent Widget column.
Any associated insights or feedback would be appreciated.
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- DanG
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jdw-dd wrote:
Any associated insights or feedback would be appreciated.
Succinctly the layout slider view returns to a predefined definiton when re-entered after a Save and NOT your last saved settings. Some day I'll rewrite this beast
but see if it helps any ->
Adjusting module widths with the Gantry Slider Control
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- jdw-dd
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Thanks for the reply. I read the page you mentioned. I'd appreciate quick follow re: the following;
a) I didn't see mention of the need to place "Gantry Divider" widgets. Again, this seems redundant vis a vis the establishment of column numbers and relative widths via the Layout tab. Is one of these two a legacy remnant that just hasn't disappeared yet (eg: Gantry Dividers) or is the plan to continue this paradigm? If the latter case, I'd appreciate clarification why these seemingly redundant elements exist. Also, more Appearance/Widgets cueing re: Column configs made via the Layout tab would be nice.
b) Re: default column Layouts being displayed even after saving an override; I suppose the issue is that Gantry successfully saves the Layout and will invoke it, yet the onscreen widgets do not accurately reflect the custom settings. Is this correct?
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- jdw-dd
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With all due respect, I'd appreciate if someone from RT would answer the questions I made in this thread.
Because I've had difficulties understanding RT layout design - and encountered the bugs DanG refers to (also, have difficulties getting RokSprocket to work; its documentation is poor) - shortly after joining RT, I asked for a refund. It was denied. I was sent a small-print phrase re: "all sales are final." So, I came back to this forum to ask for support in the areas just mentioned.
Instead of getting that help, what this thread should be renamed is something like "RT staff heckles customers while dodging support questions." Seriously guys: a) major bugs need to get fixed quickly; b) docs need improvement, and not just via open Wikis; c) Support by RT staff should aim at directly addressing legitimate user requests. Alternately, RT might have the confidence to begin offering refunds to those like myself ready to throw in the towel after buying and trying.
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- Ben Lee
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Its really tough to know what you're asking about.
A basic knowledge of Joomla is required if you're using the Joomla templates and a basic knowledge of Wordpress is required if you're using Wordpress themes.
As far as Gantry dividers/widgets, etc., there is really just the Gantry Layout sliders that you need to set and these have defaults set for you. If you want to change the proportions, its as simple as sliding the sliders to get the proportions you want. I'm having a hard time finding an issue in usability there.
If you have 2 modules for joomla or 2 widgets for wordpress and the sliders for that position are set to "6,6", that that means you have two columns of equal width. 50% and 50%.
If you'd like, you could mention if you're using Joomla or Wordpress and we can try to give you a hand with it. Currently your post looks as though you are using Wordpress because the word widgets just doesn't appear in Joomla...core or rockettheme.
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- jdw-dd
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Ben, thanks for your response. I'm using WordPress. I am accustomed to creating my own "child themes," creating and modifying PHP functions, using FireBug and modifying CSS, etc. My familiarity with WordPress isn't the issue.
Quickly;
a) With the current version of Gantry Template Layout, the layout widgets do not reflect the custom settings you may have made and "saved" previously. DanG makes this point, above.
b) In the WordPress environment, having a Gantry Layout Widget - as an RT provided WordPress Widget - is redundant vis the Gantry Layout architecture. The related issue isn't clarified in RT docs. If you change a Row/DIV/Section from having 3 positions to 4, you've just created one more Widget slot for that Section. This change should be reflected on the separate WordPress Appearance/Widgets screen, and you shouldn't need to add, subtract or think about "Gantry Divider Widgets." Does that make sense? The stated purpose of "Gantry Divider Widgets" is to create columns within a content Section, yet that has already been determined via Gantry Layout settings.
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- Ben Lee
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I think you're trying to start making your columns with gantry and then going back and filling in the slots with widgets and that is what is messing you up.
If you set up your widgets first and then go use the gantry sliders to choose widths, it will make more sense.
And its not that your settings aren't saved or don't work, its that your setting for 3 positions will work when there are 3 widgets published in a row and your setting for 4 positions will take over when there are 4 widgets published in that row.
If you want to always have the width blocked out at 4, then you can force positions to 4 and it will always show 4 positions.
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- jdw-dd
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Thanks for your reply and for clarifying that you should first place WordPress Widgets, then allocate columns in Gantry. I didn't see that in the docs for the theme I'm working with.
Is the idea of placing Gantry Divider Widgets "between" other Widgets to allow Widgets to stack vertically within columns? If so, I guess it has a reason. If vertical Widget stacking isn't part of the plan, would be better to have RT code simple count the number of Widgets, then allocate them to consecutive columns as established in the Gantry Layout module.
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