Setting the Background Color (Redirect)

Setting the Background Color (Redirect)

by David Dickerson -
Number of replies: 5
Hello, everyone!

Last night, I posted a question in the general problems forum about setting the text area background to white with Moodle's HTML Editor. (I cannot do it with Firefox 1.5.)

I realize now that I should have posted that inquiry to this forum! shy

I request your patience and refer you to my original question/post -- asking for any help that you can offer. (I hope that this message is not considered a "double-post," which I realize is a violation of "netiquette"!)

Perhaps I am simply misunderstanding the "Background Color" option. Perhaps it applies only to the background behind actual characters and not to the entire editing area.

I apologize for posting my message in the wrong forum.

Thank you, in advance, for your time, patience, and help!

Cordially,

David
--
<http://ddickerson.igc.org/>
<http://www.us.iearn.org/>
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In reply to David Dickerson

Re: Setting the Background Color (Redirect)

by Helen Foster -
Picture of Core developers Picture of Documentation writers Picture of Moodle HQ Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers Picture of Plugin developers Picture of Testers Picture of Translators
Hi David,

The background colour is actually controlled by CSS in your theme. Please could you state which theme you are using and/or provide a link to your Moodle site in order for us to help you.
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In reply to Helen Foster

Re: Setting the Background Color (Redirect)

by David Dickerson -
Hi, Helen.

Thanks for your message.

I had realized that the background color is controlled by the CSS of our theme and I have asked the IT folks if they could modify that section of the CSS. I also asked for the name of the modified theme that we are using, but I have received no replies.

The URL of the original site is as follows, Helen:

<http://www.pearl.iearn.org/>

The new version uses the same theme, at the following URL:

<http://www.pearl.iearn.org/moodle1/>

(Please check the second URL. I just remembered that the first one requires one to log in. I am attaching a screen capture of the home page.)

The folks at the IT staff are new to Moodle, so if there is a way to modify the theme's CSS, I am not sure that they would know what section to modify. Is it a major task to modify a theme's CSS?

I would appreciate any help or advice, Helen! smile

Thank you very much for your message! This simple problem has me very frustrated because I have been unable to get any help or responses.

(I am in a "sink or swim" situation with Moodle, and everything I encounter is new!)

Cordially,

David

P.S. -- I like your cat. I am a huge cat lover myself (and also a "magnet" for strays).wink
Attachment moodle_theme.jpg
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In reply to David Dickerson

Re: Setting the Background Color (Redirect)

by David Dickerson -
Hello, Helen!

The theme that we are using is 'pearl2 (Moodle 1.4)':

     <http://www.pearl.iearn.org/moodle1/>

(We are running Moodle 1.5.3, however, moving a site from Moodle 1.4.X.)

The theme, therefore, is a custom one, although I do not know if it is based upon an existing theme or created as an original theme.

I am still awaiting answers to my questions about modifying the theme's CSS.

Logging in as 'admin', I can see the theme in use and the other options (under 'Configuration >> Themes'), including the original 'pearl' theme, but I don't see any way to edit the CSS via the Moodle interface, nor would I feel comfortable doing editing the CSS, assuming that this change is approved.

I will supply more information when I receive it, Helen.

Thank you very much! wide eyes

Cordially,

David
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In reply to David Dickerson

Re: Setting the Background Color (Redirect)

by Helen Foster -
Picture of Core developers Picture of Documentation writers Picture of Moodle HQ Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers Picture of Plugin developers Picture of Testers Picture of Translators
Hi David,

Moodle 1.5 themes are quite different from previous versions i.e. custom themes, such as pearl2, need upgrading. Please check MoodleDocs Theme upgrade for full details.

As you've discovered, an administrator may change the site theme, however it's not possible to edit the CSS from within Moodle (yet wink).

Ideally, your theme should be upgraded. However, if your IT people can't help and you have access to your themes folder, then perhaps you could try adding a little CSS yourself.

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In reply to Helen Foster

Re: Setting the Background Color (Redirect)

by David Dickerson -
Hi, Helen!

Thank you very much for your informative message -- and your time!

I was initially told that I could not modify the theme, but I pointed out that the theme is based on a cascading style sheet -- but with the warning that I am just starting to learn CSS and XHTML.

Thanks for making the point that, ideally, the custom theme itself should be upgraded for Moodle 1.5.X.

I knew that I needed direct access the style sheet in order to make any changes, but as a neophyte to CSS, I would no doubt do more damage than good. (I have been hand-coding HTML since 1994, but much has changed in twelve years!)

Unfortunately, although I am using the administrative account to access the Moodle site, I have not been granted access to the themes folder, and I have not requested such access, given the potential for damage.

I have notified the IT staff of the information in your helpful message, Helen, but I seriously doubt that the custom theme will be upgraded (from Moodle 1.4.X compliance to Moodle 1.5.X compliance). In fact, I am certain that the theme will not be upgraded, unless it interferes with the functionality of the Moodle site.

I hope that as we (I) gain more experience with Moodle (and XHTML/CSS) that I can, and will be allowed to, take on issues such as this one. I have been given permission to experiment as much as I want, which I accept as a compliment, but the original PEARL/Moodle site content is basically on the new upgraded Moodle 1.5.3 site, so I have been conservative in what I have done.

At this point, all I can do is what I am able to do and to try to learn as much about Moodle as possible. I am working with a great team, but Moodle is new to us all, particularly to me.

Thank you, again, Helen! smile

Cordially,

David
--
<http://ddickerson.igc.org/>
<http://www.iearn.org/>
<http://www.us.iearn.org/>
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