ELATED help and FAQ
In this section you'll find some help with using our site and our Web-building resources such as the PageKits, ImageKits and ActionKits. The section is organised into a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), with answers, of course!
If you have a question that is not in this list, and you think it would be appropriate for our FAQ, please contact us and tell us about it! Thanks.
General FAQ | PageKits FAQ | ActionKits FAQ | ImageKits FAQ | Forums FAQ
General FAQ
Can I buy the work on the site?
I want to tell my friends about ELATED! Can you help me?
How often is the site updated?
What software/hardware do ELATED use?
If I use your stuff, do I have to link back to www.elated.com?
Can I submit my own content (PageKits, ImageKits etc) to your site?
PageKits FAQ
How do I download the PageKits?
When did you first start making PageKits?
I want different section titles. Can you make them for me?
I don't have Photoshop! I only have (Paint Shop Pro/The GIMP/PhotoPaint/etc)!!!
What's the copyright and usage situation with the PageKits?
Can I alter the images in the PageKit to suit my requirements?
Can I use a PageKit to design a site for a client?
I'm a Web designer. Can I use a PageKit to design my own site?
When I try to open the PageKit in FrontPage, it doesn't work!
I edited a PageKit in FrontPage, and now it's screwed it all up and the rollovers no longer work!
What editors should I be able to edit the HTML files with?
How can I make my own menu options?
What font did you use on (insert PageKit name here)?
When I upload my site to my server, it doesn't work properly/all the images are broken!
When I edit the PSD and re-export my images, small gaps appear between the images in the page!
Your PageKit gave my computer a virus, you *%$£*'s!
Can you make me a PageKit for free?
ActionKits FAQ
How do I install the ActionKits?
How do I unzip the ActionKit .zip files?
Will the ActionKits work with my version of Photoshop?
Will the ActionKits work with Paint Shop Pro?
When I try to load the actions on a Mac, I get out-of-memory errors!
ImageKits FAQ
How do I find the image that I want?
What am I allowed to use the images for?
Forums FAQ
How do I post a question on your Forums?
I tried to register but it never sent me my password!
I forgot my username and password! Can you email them to me?
How do I search for something on your Forums?
Which forum should I post my question in?
Where did you get your forum software from, and can I have a copy?
General FAQ
Can I buy the work on the site?
Individual pieces of content are not currently available to buy, although you can purchase exclusive, commercial-quality PageKits from our PageKits.com site.
If you'd like to buy the entire site, then make us an offer!
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How can I link to ELATED?
We have a few lovely link banners available here. Please link to the top of our site: http://www.elated.com. Thanks! :)
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I want to tell my friends about ELATED! Can you help me?
Sure. We have a handy Tell a friend function! Just fill in your name and email address, and your friend's name and email address, and we'll automatically send your friend an email telling them about this site.
Also, if you like, you can link to us using the link buttons available here.
Finally, if you run or regularly use a newsgroup or mailing list that you think would find our site useful, please tell them about www.elated.com. Thanks!
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Can I have a job with ELATED?
We're not currently hiring. If the situation changes, we'll let you know!
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How often is the site updated?
There are small updates every day, with new content being added all the time.
There are larger updates every now and then, usually a couple per month.
Subscribe to our newsletter using the box at the top of the page to receive regular information on these updates.
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What software/hardware do ELATED use?
We use a wide variety of software and hardware, but some of our favourites are listed below:
Matt
- Platform: Mac OS X on a 20" iMac Core Duo
- HTML editor: VI
- Graphics: Adobe Photoshop, The GIMP
- Multimedia: Flash / Director
- Browser of choice: Safari
Simon
- Platform: Mac OS X on a 20" iMac G5
- HTML editor: TextWrangler
- Graphics: Adobe Photoshop / Macromedia Freehand / Adobe Illustrator
- Multimedia: Flash / Director
- Browser of choice: Firefox
Misc. Stuff
- A couple of Linux boxes running Debian
- Cubase and Reason for music
- Nikon Coolpix 5200 digital camera
- Canon AE-1 35mm SLR camera
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If I use your stuff, do I have to link back to www.elated.com?
You don't have to, but we'd really appreciate it if you did! You can use the link buttons available here if you like.
We do insist that you include the following copyright message on your site if you use any of our free stuff:
"Portions of this website were created using the free web resources available at www.elated.com and are copyright Elated Communications Ltd 1996-2002"
Alternatively, if using a PageKit, you can instead leave in the copyright message and link that appears in the template:
"ELATED PageKits © 2002 ELATED.com/PageKits.com"
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Can I submit my own content (PageKits, ImageKits etc) to your site?
Currently we don't accept submissions for the site - all of our resources are produced in-house. If the situation changes we'll let you know!
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PageKits FAQ
What is a PageKit?
A PageKit is a website template that you can use to create your own site or as an educational aid. Like a full website, it's made up of some HTML files, and some images. The PageKits were all created in-house by ELATED.
The idea behind the ELATED PageKits is that you can either use the ideas "out of the box", and develop them from our start points, or you can take the bits that you need (like the basic frameset) and customise them for your own use. We hope you'll also find the PageKits educational. Obviously, to make the best use of them you'll need to know some basic HTML.
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How do I download the PageKits?
The PageKits are compressed in Zip format only. You will need an unzipper such as WinZip (Windows) or Stuffit Expander (Mac) to decompress the Zip archive so that you can access the files that make up the PageKit. To download a PageKit, click on the Download PageKit link which appears on the introductory page for each PageKit, then open it in your unzipping program.
When you extract the PageKit files, make sure you enable any options to recreate the folder structure of the archive. Most of the PageKits contain one or more sub-folders for storing the images and other files for the site.
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When did you first start making PageKits?
We first had the idea for producing Web page templates to complement our Web clipart (then called ButtonKits) way back in 1997. We started out with Space, Homebase and Stripes, and they proved to be a big hit. We've never looked back!
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I want different section titles. Can you make them for me?
We're afraid not. We'll try to help you through the process as much as possible on the forums, but we just don't have the time to do it for you.
What's that? You want to pay us to do it? Well, why didn't you say so! :) Head on over to our Sites area to see what we can do for you.
After much petitioning from everybody, we've now given you the PSD (Photoshop) files that make up the sources of each PageKit, so you can have a go at doing them yourself! Have a go, and if you get stuck, come talk to us on the forums or have a look at the articles.
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I don't have Photoshop! I only have (Paint Shop Pro/The GIMP/PhotoPaint/etc)!!!
There's a good chance your graphics package will be able to open Photoshop .PSD files. As far as we know, the following programs will open the PageKits .PSD's:
- Adobe Photoshop v6 and above
- Corel Paint Shop Pro v7 and above
- The GIMP
- Macromedia Fireworks
- Corel PhotoPaint
If you know any others, please let us know!
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What's the copyright and usage situation with the PageKits?
The contents of the PageKits, including all HTML and images, is copyright Elated Communications Ltd 1997-2001.
By downloading any of the material from our site, http://www.elated.com/, you agree to abide by the conditions of the Usage Agreement, available online at: http://www.elated.com/usage/ .
Specifically:
"The Pagekits are free to use on any type of site, provided you do not redistribute them in any form on the Web or on a CD-ROM (whether for free or for profit). They are free for "end-users" only. What this means in English is that if you're a business wanting to use a Pagekit for your own bar/bookshop/restaurant etc, then that's fine, even if you're taking money over the site. What's not fine is if you're a web designer using a Pagekit to produce a website for a client, whether you're getting paid for it or not. You may also not take Kits (or any of the free stuff) and put them up on your site for download or examples. The above legalese element is legally binding and failing to comply means you are infringing international copyright law."
If you're not sure if you're allowed to use a PageKit for your particular purpose, ASK FIRST!
You must also include a copyright message on your site - see here for details. We would also appreciate a link from your site to http://www.elated.com/ (you can use the link buttons available here if you like).
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Can I alter the images in the PageKit to suit my requirements?
Absolutely! We actively encourage you to modify the PageKit as much as you like. It's meant to be a starting point for your own site. The more you change it, the more unique your site will look, the more you'll learn about Web design, and the more fun you'll have! :)
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Can I use a PageKit to design a site for a client?
The free PageKits at www.elated.com/pagekits/ cannot be used to create sites for third parties (i.e. clients). You can only use them to build sites for yourself or your own business. However if you would like to build a site for a client, check out the PageKits at PageKits.com, which can be used on client sites.
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I'm a Web designer. Can I use a PageKit to design my own site?
The PageKits may not be used to build "showcase" or "example" sites for a Web designer or Web design company, as this would be implying that the templates are your own work, which is misleading for your potential customers.
Also, you may not place PageKits on your Web design site as "examples of your work".
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When I try to open the PageKit in FrontPage, it doesn't work!
No, it wouldn't. It's not as simple as that. You have to unzip the PageKit zip file first, then you can open the .html pages individually in FrontPage.
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I edited a PageKit in FrontPage, and now it's screwed it all up and the rollovers no longer work!
Be careful when using FrontPage Editor to edit complex Web pages, especially pages with JavaScript in. FrontPage (especially early versions) tend to "reformat" (read: screw up!) JavaScript in the page and leave it unusable. If in doubt, edit the HTML files using a text editor!
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What editors should I be able to edit the HTML files with?
The files should be editable in most of the standard packages including Dreamweaver, Frontpage (the newer versions), GoLive etc.
The PageKits were created using a text editor (TextPad, Wordpad, even Notepad on the PC, or SimpleText and BBedit on the Mac), and editing them with a text editor will often give the most trouble free results.
There are some reported problems with older versions of FrontPage and also Claris Homepage. The latter tends to redo the code to suit itself, resulting in pages that don't work!
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When I open the PageKit in my web editor, it says "You are not using a frames compatible browser". What is going on?!
Don't panic! :) All that's happening is you're opening a frameset page in your editor, and you're seeing the message included with the PageKit to warn users who don't have browsers that support frames. If you look at the source of this page, you'll see lines such as:
<FRAME SRC="main.html ...
Open the files mentioned in the FRAME tags (e.g. main.html in the above example). These pages contain the actual content, and these are the pages you want to be editing!
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How can I make my own menu options?
On some of the PageKits (e.g. GE-OM, Hard a Portal), the menu options are just HTML text, so you just need to edit the HTML page that contains the options and change the text there.
The rest of the PageKits use GIF's or JPEG's for the menu options. To change these options open up the .PSD's that come with the PageKit in Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro or any graphics editor that can open layered PSD files, and edit the type layer(s) containing the menu options. (Older PageKits were built in Photoshop 4, so they don't have editable type layers. Simply hide the old layer and create a new text layer using the same or similar font and style.)
Once you've created your new menu options, slice up the image into individual images for each of your menu options, then export these individual images as GIF's or JPEG's as appropriate. To slice in Photoshop, duplicate the image, select the Rectangular Marquee tool and then draw a rectangle around the menu option you want to export (with the exact same dimensions as the original menu option image - use the guides for this). Then crop the image, and export your new menu option as a GIF or JPEG.
Some of the PageKits (INVADER, Get It On, Large) have JavaScript rollover menus. With these, either the menu option or another part of the page changes when you roll the mouse over the menu option. If you create new menu options, or change the name of existing menu options, you will need to edit the JavaScript in the page to match your new options.
Here's the JavaScript code you'll need to change or add to (as an example we're using a "home" menu option here). You'll see the code (or similar code) in the source of the HTML pages in the PageKit:
home_on = new Image ( );
home_off = new Image ( );
home_on.src = "images/nav_home_on.gif";
home_off.src = "images/nav_home_off.gif";
<a href="index.html" onmouseover="rollOn('home');
return true;" onmouseout="rollOff('home');
return true;"><img src="images/nav_home_off.gif"
width="45" height="20" border="0" name="home" alt="Home"></a>
Edit or add to this code as appropriate to accommodate your new menu options.
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I've opened the PSD file that came with the PageKit. How do I know exactly where to slice it up to make my own menu options?
We've provided guides with the PSD to help you with this. Make sure you enable "View Guides" and "Snap to Guides" in your graphics program.
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What font did you use on (insert PageKit name here)?
Read the readme.txt file that comes with each PageKit...
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When I upload my site to my server, it doesn't work properly/all the images are broken!
Make sure you have uploaded the images as well as the HTML files, and that they are uploaded to the right place on the server. Most PageKits have the images in a separate images sub-folder under the main index.html page. Make sure you upload this folder to your server, with the images inside.
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When I edit the PSD and re-export my images, small gaps appear between the images in the page!
This may be caused by your new images being slightly different dimensions from the original images. Make sure you use View Guides and Snap to Guides, so that you slice the PSD exactly as it was sliced originally.
A common cause of gaps between images for Paint Shop Pro users is having the Antialias box checked, or the Feather value greater than zero, in the Selection Tool palette. Make sure you de-select the Antialias box and set Feather to 0 before selecting the menu option to slice.
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Your PageKit gave my computer a virus, you *%$£*'s!
This is extremely unlikely (some would say impossible!). The PageKits do not contain any stand-alone executable code, and as far as we know, it is impossible to embed a virus in a .zip file if it is not a self-extracting .exe file. If you think you have caught a virus, it has probably come from another source. Also, virus scanners occasionally show "false positives" for zip files that coincidentally match the signature of a real infected file.
If in doubt, run the zip file through a couple of virus scanners before jumping to any conclusion. If you still really think one of our PageKits contains a virus, please do let us know immediately and we will look into it for you.
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Can you make me a PageKit for free?
No, sorry. We'd love to help, but making a PageKit is a lengthy process and we just don't have the time to make custom PageKits for free. You can either pay us to make you a site, or download and customise our free PageKits to suit your requirements.
ActionKits FAQ
What are ActionKits?
ActionKits are sets of free, downloadable Photoshop actions to help you create cool effects for your Web graphics. Actions are a bit like macros, and can accomplish similar effects to filters and plugins in Photoshop. They basically allow you automate complex tasks, and reproduce these tasks just by clicking on a button.
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How do I install the ActionKits?
To use the actions:
Copy the .atn file to a folder on your hard disk. Start Photoshop.
To load the actions, click the triangle symbol at the top-right corner of the Actions Palette, and from the drop-down menu select Load Actions.... Then select the .atn file that you saved to your hard disk, and click the "Open" button.
You're now ready to use the actions! Notice that actions which work on a layer have (Layer) written after their names; actions which create a layer from scratch (i.e. don't require a layer to work on) have (New Layer) written after their names; all the other actions work on the whole image. Actions with (New Image) written after them create a new image and perform the effect in that.
If you're stuck and cannot get an Actionkit working, try posting your problem in our ELATED.com Site Help forum - we're here to help!
Also, please note that because the actions rely on certain initial conditions, the results can sometimes be unpredictable! Experiment to find the best way of using them, and ALWAYS make a backup of your current file before you apply any of the actions!
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How do I unzip the ActionKit .zip files?
The ActionKits are compressed in Zip format. You will need an unzipper such as WinZip (Windows) or Stuffit Expander (Mac) to decompress the Zip archive. To download an ActionKit, click on the Download ActionKit link which appears on the description page for each ActionKit, then open it in your unzipping program. Extract the .atn file and save it to the Photoshop folder on your computer.
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Will the ActionKits work with my version of Photoshop?
The ActionKits should run successfully on Photoshop 5.5 and later. They will NOT work on Photoshop 3, Photoshop LE or Photoshop Elements as these versions do not support actions. The actions will run on PC and Macintosh versions of Photoshop.
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Will the ActionKits work with Paint Shop Pro?
No. Paint Shop Pro supports some filters, but does not support actions.
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When I try to load the actions on a Mac, I get out-of-memory errors!
This has nothing to do with how much RAM you have! It means the action (.atn) file is corrupted. Make sure you unzip the file first (don't try to load the .zip file into Photoshop!), and that you are using the very latest version of Stuffit Expander or another Mac unzipper.
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When I run certain actions, I get various error messages such as "The command 'xxx' is not currently available".
Because each action depends on certain initial conditions, there is no single solution to this problem. However, common causes include:
- Trying to run the action on an empty document or layer, when a layer is required.
- Trying to run the action on no document at all (!).
- Running the action on a layer with very low contrast areas.
- Running the action on a layer with very few pixels (such as a very small layer).
- Running the action on a greyscale or indexed-colour image, when an RGB image is required.
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ImageKits FAQ
What are ImageKits?
The ImageKits are royalty-free images that you can use to create your Website's graphics. The images range from buttons, bullets and bars through to animations and stock photographs. There are over 2,000 images currently available!
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How do I find the image that I want?
You can search for images, or browse through the image types and categories.
To search, simply type the subject or type of image you're looking for in the Search Images box and press the Enter key. Examples of searches include tree, people or animations.
To browse, first, choose an image type you are interested in from the icons on the main ImageKits page. You will then be presented with a list of sub-categories - for example, Arts, Countries and Entertainment. Click on a sub-category that you are interested in.
You should then see a selection of images. Often these images are thumbnails, meaning they are small representations of the full image. (In the case of the Animations category, the thumbnails are static versions of the animated GIF's.) Click on a thumbnail, or on View Actual Image below the thumbnail, to view the actual image.
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How do I download an image?
When you've found the image you want, right-click on the image and choose Save Image As... or Save Picture As.... (For Macs, click and hold on the image.) Then save the image to your hard drive. You're now ready to use that image on your Web site!
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What am I allowed to use the images for?
You can use the ImageKits images to produce your own Website, whether it's for personal or business use, but you may not use the images to build Websites for other people, or put the images up for download on the Web as part of an image library. You may also not use the images in any other type of image library such as a CD-ROM library.
For full details see our Usage Agreement.
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Forums FAQ
How do I post a question on your Forums?
To post a question, you first need to register as a forum user by clicking the Register link at the top of each forum page.
Once you click the agree button, choose a User Name, and enter your Email Address. You can also fill in some other fields about yourself if you like. Click on the Register button to proceed. You will then shortly receive your password at your email address. Type your username and password into the Login form to log into the forums. You can now post messages!
To post a new topic, first choose the forum you would like to post in, then click the Post a New Topic link near the top of the page. Enter a topic subject and then enter your message in the big box, then click the Send button. Simple!
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I tried to register but it never sent me my password!
Sometimes it can take a while for the password email to reach you. If you haven't received it after a few hours, it's possible that you mistyped your email address. Try registering again with the same address. If you are told that the username or email address is already taken, then you are registered, but your email wasn't sent for some reason. Follow the FAQ below to get your password sent to you again. If you still don't receive your password, contact us and we'll see if we can help!
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I forgot my username and password! Can you email them to me?
If you forgot your username and/or your password, or you never received your password when you registered, you can get your username and password emailed to you again, automatically, as follows:
- Click on the Log In link at the top of each page in the Forums.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the Login form. You will see a section called Forgotten your User Name or Password?.
- Enter your email address in the Email Address box.
- Click the Send button.
Your username and password will then be re-sent to you. If you get the message:
Error: Couldn't find your Email Address in the database. Please check and try again.
check that you entered the correct email address, and that it's the same address you registered with. If you still have no joy, contact us or try re-registering.
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How do I search for something on your Forums?
You can search in two ways: either use the Search the Forums box on the front page of the site (it's on the right hand side, below Tip of the Day), or click the Search link at the top of every forum page.
The search box on the front page of the site searches all the forums, whereas the search form accessed from the Search link allows you to specify the forum or forums to search in, and whether to perform a case-sensitive search or not.
The search system searches for an exact phrase only, so if you type photoshop actions it will only find topics that contain the exact phrase "photoshop actions". If in doubt, just search for single words (e.g. photoshop).
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Which forum should I post my question in?
There are six forums that you can post in. It will help if you can post in the forum where your question is most relevant.
If you have a question about anything specific to our site, e.g. the PageKits, ActionKits, ImageKits, articles or generally using the site, post in the ELATED.com Site Help forum.
If you just want to have a chat about nothing in particular, post in the Webmasters' Lounge forum.
If you would like to ask about using graphics software such as Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, or about graphics and web design in general, post in the Graphics and Design forum.
If your question is about HTML, JavaScript, style sheets or any scripting or programming language such as Perl or ASP, post in the Authoring and Programming forum.
If you would like to get your site reviewed or critiqued by members of the www.elated.com community, post your URL in the Your Site: Judge and Jury! Don't worry - they'll be gentle! :)
If you have a suggestion regarding our Web site, or our Webmaster resources such as the PageKits, ImageKits, ActionKits or articles, we'd love to hear them! Please post comments and suggestions in the Suggestion Box forum.
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Where did you get your forum software from, and can I have a copy?
We wrote the software ourselves, and it's not available to the public. Sorry!