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So, I changed my LJ layout. I never change it, but I wanted something springy. Anyway. Previously I had been using the Component layout (Mocha color scheme, in case I ever want to go back to it), and I had Tabular Indent for my friends page. It's definitely been years since I changed things around; I was pretty used to looking at things that way. Once maybe last fall I tried switching to Expressive but got frustrated and went back to the Component/Tabular Indent combo.
Today I decided to try switching to Expressive again. But there are a few things bothering me. From my previous style, I'm used to seeing entries separated by lines or in separate boxes, and Expressive doesn't do that. It's all just flowing down the page, with not enough white space between entries for my eye, and it's getting on my nerves. I just want to pop a little horizontal rule or something after each entry. There's not a quick box to check to change this, so does anyone know how I could do it?
Secondly, changing my journal to Expressive also changes my friends page to Expressive, and unless I can put lines between entries that's going to drive me bonkers. It may drive me bonkers anyway. My friends page has always, always been Tabular Indent, for five years now. Is there a way to make that happen while still using Expressive for my journal page?
I don't know, I really like all the cute graphics and schemes that come with using Expressive. There are a lot of fun things that can be done, and it seems like they're always adding new things to it, and I'd like the freedom to play with that. On the other hand, it seems like Expressive is limiting in a lot of ways--there are more options for colors and graphics, but fewer options for *how you actually want the page to look*. And that's really bugging me. I am excited about the happy little elephants, sure, but I need to be able to read the content too.
Anyone have any advice? I wish I were more knowledgeable about LJ layouts, but I've always found it a bit intimidating, so when I found something that worked I just stuck with it. For like five years. I need a change, and I don't want to give up on using Expressive just because it's intimidating to figure out how to make it do what I want. So, help!
::edit:: Oh, and here's another thing. I really like the *idea* of the Tags page, but it bugs me that it automatically shows all the tags you have. I have one tag that I only use on private entries, and that one doesn't show up if I'm logged out, but there are a bunch of tags I have that I don't necessarily want the random visitor to my journal knowing I have--for an example, random internet surfer/my mom doesn't need to know that I have posted 184 times about "desmond is hot" or 72 times about "OMG I heart porn". (Those are not actual tags of mine, by the way.) Even just for practicality's sake, I have over a dozen different dream tags, and they take up a lot of room, when the dream tags are mostly for my own reference and not anyone else's! What I want is a options page with clicky boxes where I can select which tags are visible on the Tags page. I can't imagine it would be a difficult thing to set up. Anyway, I know the tags ish isn't a style-specific thing, just an LJ thing, but I figured while I was bitching I'd get it out of my system.
::edit again:: Holy crap, I just noticed--the Expressive style doesn't give the date for each entry. That's horrible. If I'm looking through old entries, there is no way at all of knowing even what year I'm looking at. Slapping the posting date on each entry is an absolute must. OK, now I'm just getting peeved at Expressive. Can somebody tell me how to fix these issues so I can keep my adorable elephants? I'll totally send you cookies...
To sum up, here's what's making me nuts and needs fixing:
- want a horizontal rule between entries
- want posted date on each entry
Here's what I would like fixed but probably isn't changeable:
- would like friends page to appear in Tabular Indent while journal page appears in Expressive
I would also like the Tags page to be editable, but I do believe only the LJ designers can make that one come true. Everything else, though, I think can be changed. Anyone have any help for me here?
Today I decided to try switching to Expressive again. But there are a few things bothering me. From my previous style, I'm used to seeing entries separated by lines or in separate boxes, and Expressive doesn't do that. It's all just flowing down the page, with not enough white space between entries for my eye, and it's getting on my nerves. I just want to pop a little horizontal rule or something after each entry. There's not a quick box to check to change this, so does anyone know how I could do it?
Secondly, changing my journal to Expressive also changes my friends page to Expressive, and unless I can put lines between entries that's going to drive me bonkers. It may drive me bonkers anyway. My friends page has always, always been Tabular Indent, for five years now. Is there a way to make that happen while still using Expressive for my journal page?
I don't know, I really like all the cute graphics and schemes that come with using Expressive. There are a lot of fun things that can be done, and it seems like they're always adding new things to it, and I'd like the freedom to play with that. On the other hand, it seems like Expressive is limiting in a lot of ways--there are more options for colors and graphics, but fewer options for *how you actually want the page to look*. And that's really bugging me. I am excited about the happy little elephants, sure, but I need to be able to read the content too.
Anyone have any advice? I wish I were more knowledgeable about LJ layouts, but I've always found it a bit intimidating, so when I found something that worked I just stuck with it. For like five years. I need a change, and I don't want to give up on using Expressive just because it's intimidating to figure out how to make it do what I want. So, help!
::edit:: Oh, and here's another thing. I really like the *idea* of the Tags page, but it bugs me that it automatically shows all the tags you have. I have one tag that I only use on private entries, and that one doesn't show up if I'm logged out, but there are a bunch of tags I have that I don't necessarily want the random visitor to my journal knowing I have--for an example, random internet surfer/my mom doesn't need to know that I have posted 184 times about "desmond is hot" or 72 times about "OMG I heart porn". (Those are not actual tags of mine, by the way.) Even just for practicality's sake, I have over a dozen different dream tags, and they take up a lot of room, when the dream tags are mostly for my own reference and not anyone else's! What I want is a options page with clicky boxes where I can select which tags are visible on the Tags page. I can't imagine it would be a difficult thing to set up. Anyway, I know the tags ish isn't a style-specific thing, just an LJ thing, but I figured while I was bitching I'd get it out of my system.
::edit again:: Holy crap, I just noticed--the Expressive style doesn't give the date for each entry. That's horrible. If I'm looking through old entries, there is no way at all of knowing even what year I'm looking at. Slapping the posting date on each entry is an absolute must. OK, now I'm just getting peeved at Expressive. Can somebody tell me how to fix these issues so I can keep my adorable elephants? I'll totally send you cookies...
To sum up, here's what's making me nuts and needs fixing:
- want a horizontal rule between entries
- want posted date on each entry
Here's what I would like fixed but probably isn't changeable:
- would like friends page to appear in Tabular Indent while journal page appears in Expressive
I would also like the Tags page to be editable, but I do believe only the LJ designers can make that one come true. Everything else, though, I think can be changed. Anyone have any help for me here?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-05-30 03:46 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2007-05-30 04:03 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2007-05-30 04:13 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2007-05-30 05:44 pm (UTC)From:And my elephants are not doing anything like what your icon elephants are doing. Your elephants are not very cute (but at least they're probably happy).
no subject
Date: 2007-05-30 07:17 pm (UTC)From: