Moodle 2.3: Help with editing theme CSS

Moodle 2.3: Help with editing theme CSS

by Donald Gilbert -
Number of replies: 8

I hope this isn't another obvious oversight (I've had a couple here so far) but I'm stumped and haven't found the solution here (I'll provide all the details in case one or more are relavent). 

After installing Moodle 2.3 on my Dreamhost server, I moved a theme that I'd built using vs. 2.2 via XAMPP on my Mac.  I used Firefox and Firebug (the Mozilla dev tool) to build and test my CSS during the development stage.  Now that it's live, when I edit my stylesheet and upload it to the /style directory on my server, I don't see that my changes are showing up on Firefox/Firebug.  The directory & necessary files are unlocked, and the uploads are working, so I don't know why the style changes aren't showing up.  Again, am I missing an obvious answer as to how to edit CSS on a live Moodle site, or is there a more complicated solution? 

For what it's worth, I'm trying to make changes to correct the I.E. version of the theme, which is problematic to say the least.  I suppose, to be greedy, I'll throw one more question and ask if any of you more experienced Moodle/web designers think it's better to create a unique I.E. stylesheet, and if so, how that's done?  Again, this is less important than the first question but whatever you can suggest or guide me to would be so helpful.

Thanks much for your time and help!

Don

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In reply to Donald Gilbert

Re: Moodle 2.3: Help with editing theme CSS

by Mary Evans -

Hi Don

I'll answer in order of priority!

  1. Theme Designer Mode (TDM) read Theme settings for more info. Moodle caches all data so you need to either use TDM or Purge all caches which you will find in Site Administration > Development > Purge all caches.
  2. When in IE9 (Moodle 2.3 does not support IE7 or IE8) make sure you are NOT in compatibility mode. Check by using F12 (Function Key) here you can play around with various settings to see how your site looks in IE7/8/9. But for best results use IE9 Browser mode and IE9 Document Standards.
  3. Moodle has built in CSS classes which you can use to add IE specific CSS. For example: checkout moodle/theme/anomaly/style/browser.css, you will find quite a selection of CSS fixes for ie7/ie8/ie9

Hope this answers your questions?

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In reply to Mary Evans

Re: Moodle 2.3: Help with editing theme CSS

by Donald Gilbert -

Hello again Mary,

Once again, you've come through for me.  I'm so irritated that I completely forgot about enabling TDM (if you heard an "AARRRGH!" in the distance, it was me) but since I only set it the one time several months ago, and I'm still so steeped in non-Moodle habits, it slipped my mind. 

I didn't know about the IE compatability issues in Moodle 2.3, so thanks for that as well.  I expect that the majority of users will be on older Windows computers, so there may be some work to be done for IE 7/8 as well as 9 and 10.  I will pursue your suggestions and keep you posted either way. 

As always, many thanks for your help!   More virtual flowers and candy aren't enough... I may have to up it to a virtual 7 course meal at the finest virtual restaurant in town.   :^) 

Take care. 
Don

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In reply to Donald Gilbert

Re: Moodle 2.3: Help with editing theme CSS

by Mary Evans -

Hi Don,

Further to the IE issue, I was reading Eric Meyer's book Smashing CSS and found a link to http://code.google.com/p/ie7-js/ which you may find useful, depending on what you are needing to do to make your theme IE compatible.

As for the help I give here at the forum. Well I just see it as passing on what knowledge I have gleaned over the years back to the Moodle community which is growing day by day.

I learn a lot too, so thanks for the questions as they make me go in search of answers that sometimes even I don't know the answer to.

Until next!

Cheers

Mary

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In reply to Mary Evans

Re: Moodle 2.3: Help with editing theme CSS

by Thomas Hanley -

Hi Mary (and Don),

Just a clarification. I believe that Moodle 2.3 does support IE8:

http://docs.moodle.org/dev/Moodle_2.3_release_notes

Minimum browser: Firefox 4, Internet Explorer 8, Safari 5, Google Chrome 11, Opera 9

~thomas

PS You seemed to go on the fastest ever fishing trip ; )

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In reply to Thomas Hanley

Re: Moodle 2.3: Help with editing theme CSS

by Thomas Hanley -

Mary,

Thanks for theIE7 JS link, minor typo in creating the link. Should be:

http://code.google.com/p/ie7-js/

~thomas

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In reply to Thomas Hanley

Re: Moodle 2.3: Help with editing theme CSS

by Mary Evans -

Thanks  Thomas, I've just corrected the link...it was missing a space! smile

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In reply to Mary Evans

Re: Moodle 2.3: Help with editing theme CSS

by Kenny McCormack -

Hi Mary

I noticed that you mentioned IE8 not supporting 2.3 hence I am posting on this thread. I know the releases notes indicate otherwise but I was wondering if you or anyone else for that matter has notice particular performance problems and page freezing with IE8 and even IE9 when you turn on editing on a course. Particularly will larger courses, say for example with 20 sections or more with lots of resources.

We have recently upgraded a large Moodle environment to 2.3 from 2.2 and it certainly caused some problems. It doesn't seem theme related as the standard theme is causing the same problem and seems also to happen on a base 2.3.1+

Any help would be appreciated

Best Regards,

Kenny

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In reply to Kenny McCormack

Re: Moodle 2.3: Help with editing theme CSS

by Mary Evans -

Hi Kenny,

I wouldn't know about actual perfomance on a large production site as my Moodle sites are just for show and not much else. 

You might be better asking this question in the Moodle Hardware & Performance forum. In fact take a look at this discussion at I think it could be relevant to your present situation.

http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=206175

Cheers

Mary

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