HALP!

[exsequar]

So I could have sworn that recently, someone on my flist posted a set of links about How and Why one should convert to Dreamwidth. I'm particularly interested in the How To guides, because I'm considering it but it seems very daunting right now. For example, I LOOOOVE my LJ layout beyond all reason - I've had it for something like 4 years (just changing headers). What are the chances I could keep that if I move to DW? And suchlike. I can't find these links I'm talking about for the life of me, so I thought I'd just ask instead of scouring the internet! I know there's several DW converts out there. You can also feel welcome to give me your own pitches!

Comments

[iamsupernova.livejournal.com]

I'm interested in the "why". I'm considering making the jump now that LiveJournal has committed yet another transphobia fail. I mean, I've been on LJ since 2004 and I've grown pretty damn attached, but. Seriously, LJ? >>>:|

[newredshoes]

Is this the one?

And I know I have another link somewhere about layouts and transferability (which is quite high). I... may have to get back to you on that, though.

The more I'm using LJ with unpaid features, the happier I am that I'm not giving them money. Seriously, the service is kind of crappy, between all the ads (I can't use AdBlock at work, so I get them all) and the downtime and the policy fuckery. DW really is just... nicer. I used to get so fed up with people saying "Oh, I'm so much more relaxed and happy there!" but I do really like that I'm supporting a business that is actually innovating (rather than just adding more bells and whistles), that likes and values volunteers, and that talks so closely with its users.

Also, the features are great! My writing journal is paid, and I'm waiting until I finish my move to pay for the other one, but it's just -- so easy and intuitive and pretty and awesome. That's my partial pitch! Really, though, I've been most convinced by just using it. The difference between unpaid LJ and unpaid DW is staggering.

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

but I do really like that I'm supporting a business that is actually innovating (rather than just adding more bells and whistles), that likes and values volunteers, and that talks so closely with its users.

So true. I've particularly noticed that things on LJ that I just have to sort of shrug and live with, the boffins at DWth have said, "no, that thingy is actually a bug, isn't it? Let's debug it," and lo and behold, as you say, even the basic accounts are a joy to work with.

I think there is a fair amount of flexibility w/r/t layouts, but how much there is with a paid vs. unpaid accounts I have no idea, because my coding-fu is approximately nil.

[renne.livejournal.com]

I wish I remember where it was, but I was able to take flexible squares across to DW which means I can use LJ layouts there with a little tweaking. So it's totes possible.

[go-gentle.livejournal.com]

you can probably keep your layout, although just how much work it might be i don't know because I didn't try. (I think - and I may be totally wrong about this - that the more of your layout that was originally custom coded, the easier it will be to move? but that might be wrong.) i know there are comms that talk about how to port over lj layouts, too.

i personally really like the crossposting system - easy, obvious, and it posts a little footer that keeps track of comments on DW for me. i also like the fact that when a bunch of trolls reported DW for paypal for hosting porn, rather than asking people to take it down, DW found a new company to handle their credit card business.

[trinity_clare]

Hi you can talk to me! I've been on DW since the start of open beta (I also have invite codes if you still need one). If your layout is based on an LJ layout with a credited creator then taking that layout off LJ is bad form, but it is possible. It's also possible that you'll lose several hours of your life to playing with the shiny, shiny DW layout system, but that might just be me.

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

Hi! Great! Do you know of any organized resources I can start with? I swear i recently saw a post of very useful links, but like a FOOL I did not save them, sigh.

My layout is just Flexible Squares with customized coding. The coding was written by an LJer, yes, but it isn't one of those built in ones you can choose. Is that what you were talking about? Or do I want to do something that's bad form? I really love my layout. :(

[trinity_clare]

I probably saw the same post you did, but I can't find it either. D:

Well, the problem is that flexisquares isn't one of the DW layouts, so you either have to save your whole stylesheet and host it externally, or you can find something that lays out the boxes in a similar way and tweak it until it looks the same. I'm not enough of a styles expert to help you more, but you could open a Support request over there and ask! (The Support people are very nice, and there's so little traffic that they get excited when someone stops to ask for directions. /metaphor) Oh! There's also an FAQ for LJ users: http://www.dreamwidth.org/support/faqbrowse?faqid=121

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

Ooh, awesome! Of course there is. I have a feeling this will be a good decision - I'll do it gradually, but I think... yes, this will be good. Thanks for all your help. ♥

[trinity_clare]

FYI, they're currently working on the code that will let you read your LJ flist from your DW reading page, but you can't do it yet. Also the biggest problem is that most people still comment at LJ, even when they read and post over at DW. The only solution is for more people to move, so I'm happy you're thinking about it! And it's no problem. ♥

[nebulein.livejournal.com]

I was able to port my existing LJ layout. Even with a basic DW account you get one theme layer for free, so if you grab the flexi squares basic layer and then add your theme layer, you'll have to do a few tweakings (old code things that DW eliminated) but basically get your old layout. Let me know if you run into trouble and I'll see if I can help. :)

[stepps.livejournal.com]

This is the how-to you need regarding getting your layout to work on Dw. Some of the info is out of date, as it was written shortly after open beta, so there have been lots of changes in the year since then, but you should still be able to use it for your layout with an unpaid account. Though if you're serious about moving, I am more than willing to sponsor you into a paid account, I was planning to do this with some of my flist come the 26th :)

Note: Flexible Squares is not on the list of S2 styles that can be used on Dw. That said, Smooth Sailing is another not on the list, but has been imported. It's a copyright thing, not a technicality thing, I think. Which means you can either try to find another layout you can use, or you can give LJ the silent finger and try importing Squares anyway.

Another tute that might be helpful in some way: Installing Mixit themes on Dw, as a guideline to how the importing process looks.

If you want other tutorials, and testemonies etc, I am collecting links for a guide I intend to write really soon here.

[stepps.livejournal.com]

Okay, so I know that stele3 had a tute on how to install either Flexible Squares or Smooth Sailing on Insanejournal, and as that and Dw are just LJ clones in their base code, that suggests to me that the guide would work for Dw as well (the limitation for IJ is that you have to have a paid acc to create your own layers). I haven't found the guide yet, I'm still looking. Found it! The original tute was on GJ, which is now gone, but stele3 explains in the comments of this post how to get Squares on IJ, so I can't imagine that it's be too different for Dw.

In the meantime I found something similar on IJ: Flexibly Squares Source Layout with brief instructions on where to install it (probably just use the layout code and the Dw instructions instead?)