Creating a New Sidebar

I thought, since I've got to wait for Blogger to restore my blog, I'll post here some stuff I've learnt while trying to recover it.

Creating a new sidebar
Blogger only offers two-column templates and if you are searching for three column templates online, you will most likely be unable to change the color scheme of the template and replace blog header / description with a picture.

Here's some html that can be easily installed into your HTML area.

Under *Outer-wrapper
insert #newsidebar-wrapper after #sidebar-wrapper
Copy and paste the rest of the code accordingly. It should look something like this:

/* Outer-Wrapper
----------------------------------------------- */
#outer-wrapper {
width: 850px;
margin:0 auto;
padding:10px;
text-align:left;
font: $bodyfont;
}

#main-wrapper {
width: 350px;
float: left;
margin-left: 30px;
margin-right: 40px;
word-wrap: break-word; /* fix for long text breaking sidebar float in IE */
overflow: hidden; /* fix for long non-text content breaking IE sidebar float */
}

#sidebar-wrapper {
width: 230px;
float: right;
word-wrap: break-word; /* fix for long text breaking sidebar float in IE */
overflow: hidden; /* fix for long non-text content breaking IE sidebar float */
}

#newsidebar-wrapper {
width: 170px;
float: left;
word-wrap: break-word; /* fix for long text breaking sidebar float in IE */
overflow: hidden; /* fix for long non-text content breaking IE sidebar float */
}

#main-wrapper = the column for your posts (in this blog, the middle column)
#sidebar-wrapper and #newsidebar-wrapper = your sidebars
#outer-wrapper = the columns that make up your entire blog

Change the width(s) according to what you desire. The bottom line is

Outer-wrapper width = main-wrapper width + sidebar-wrapper width + newsidebar-wrapper width + spacing between columns

If according to the above example,

850px = 350px + 230px + 170x + 100px (fit the values in with the above example accordingly)
Also, if your #sidebar-wrapper should "float: right", your #newsidebar-wrapper should "float: left" and vice versa

Scroll down to the part where you find

div id="'main-wrapper'

*insert '<' and '>' and the front and back of the line

Insert


div id='newsidebar-wrapper'
b:widget id='Profile1' locked='false' title='About Me' type='Profile'
b:section
/div

*insert '<' infront of every line and '>' at the back

If you have installed your #newsidebar-wrapper on the left to your main wrapper, make sure the above code goes above div id="'main-wrapper', followed by the #sidebar-wrapper section. If your newsidebar is on the right, just switch the places for #newsidebar-wrapper and #sidebar-wrapper

* insert '<' and '>' at the font and back of the line

I'm no HTML guru and I think I should have input everything there should be to create a new side bar. I hope it helps. I know, some of us really hate this shit.

Blog Recovery

UGH! This sucks. I have contacted Blogger and requested for them to restore my blog but I know that's gonna take another two weeks. So while I wait for them to consider my mail, I'm going to try to restore the entries myself.

Well first, here are some tips for you:

1. DO NOT, NEVER, DON'T EVEN THINK OF deleting your blog EVER


2. Even if you do get tired of the blog, keep the URL active


3. If you get so fed up with the template you think you can create a new blog and redo the template. DO NOT DO THAT.
   


4. (That was me. Now it doesn't even sound like there was a reason to do that)


5. If you do, somehow, accidentally or intentionally (or sometimes never the server fucks up) delete your blog, do the following:
6. Claim back your old blogger address with the same URL and title (before someone puts HACKED on the entire page)


7. Create a stub post


8. (Explain to everyone how your finger accidentally hit the delete button and how you're an idiot. The other alternative is to blame the server)


9. Contact Blogger: "I was so stupid I deleted my blog by mistake. Could you please restore it for me?"


10. BLOGGER SUPPORT
    http://help.blogger.com/?page=contact
    

    BLOGGER PROBLEM REPORT FORM
    http://help.blogger.com/?page=troubleshooter.cs&problem=&contact_type...
    

    BLOGGER HELP FORM
    http://help.blogger.com/?page=troubleshooter.cs&problem=&contact_type...


11. Email: support@blogger.com


12. Okay now wait for them to reply. In the meantime, try to recreate your blog template. (like how I've done it) From what I've read, Blogger will restore your blog in one to two weeks and delete your claimed URL after your have made your first changes.
    


13. Oh, and always save your template! Don't use the download feature CTRL+C the entire source and paste it in NOTEPAD, not Microsoft Word or anything.
    

I Goofed!

This is a stub post. Actual contents coming soon.

(Okay, I goofed. I hit the delete button)