Upgrading to new JavaScript Layouts

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In October 2007, EditMe released an update that changes the way Layouts are formatted and developed. See the full release announcement for details.

Prior to this release, EditMe sites used XSL Layouts. All existing sites at the time of the release will continue to use XSL Layouts until a site administrator elects to upgrade the site to use the new JavaScript layouts. This allows customers who have invested time into customizing their XSL Layouts to continue using that functionality until they choose to upgrade. The upgrade process also allows the new JavaScript and XSL Layouts to optionally co-exist during development and/or customization of a new JavaScript Layout.

Warning: All available Skins use the new JavaScript layouts. Applying any skin to your site will upgrade your site and you will be unable to edit your old XSL Layout. If you do this by accident, it can be reversed upon request at the online help desk.

Upgrade Options

Site owners have the following options:

1. Do nothing - you can continue to use and modify your XSL Layouts as long as you wish. Many planned features will rely on the new layout technology, however, and may be unavailable to sites using XSL Layouts.
2. Upgrade by applying a new skin. This is a very simple process and will apply the selected skin to your site. Note that any customizations made to your XSL Layout will be lost. See Skins for help applying a new skin to your site.
3. Install a new skin (without applying it), customize the style sheet and layout as needed, and then apply the new JavaScript Layout to your site. This option is best for customers who have customized their XSL Layouts and want to re-implement those customizations in a new JavaScript layout.

The remainder of this page covers option 3 above in detail.

Developing a JavaScript Layout Prior to Upgrading

If you have customized your site's XSL Layout and do not want to lose those customizations when upgrading, you can install a new skin in your site to edit and test as needed before replacing your XSL Layout. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Go to your site's Skins page by logging in as an administrator, clicking Settings, and selecting Skins from the Look & Feel menu.
2. Click the icon for the skin you based your custom XSL Layout upon. You can alternatively choose a different skin. Whatever you choose will be the basis for any customizations you wish to make before applying the new JavaScript Layout to your site.
3. Click the Install Only link. This action installs the pages required by the skin without changing your site's current style sheet or XSL Layout.

Once you have performed these steps, you can edit the installed style sheet from the Styles screen. You can access the installed JavaScript layout via a link at the bottom of your current XSL Layouts screen, or by navigating to http://YOURSITE.editme.com/_Layouts. See Layouts for help using the new Layouts screen. Use the "Edit" and "Test with Page" actions to customize and test the new JavaScript layout.

When you are happy with your new JavaScript layout, you can permanently upgrade your site by selecting the "Make Default" action for your layout on the new Layouts screen. This change is final and can only be undone with a request to EditMe support.

Note that if you are testing a layout from a different Skins family than your site currently uses, you'll need to either hard-code the appropriate style sheet in the JavaScript layout before testing, or set the default style sheet for your site to the style sheet associated with the skin you are testing. EditMe support can help you do this if required.

For JavaScript Layout development tips, see Layout Development.