Download the Cal Poly Web Template Kit

The template is available! Download

The Cal Poly Template is now more flexible and powerful for creating a custom look and feel within the Cal Poly web space. Version 5.1 has been designed and developed "from the ground up" to represent Cal Poly as we progress into the 21st century. Web site upgrades from older templates have been a consideration throughout the development process. The template is fully accessible, and gives you the choice of numerous layout options, a special "home page" layout, several navigation options. Extensive sample content is also provided.

Template System Features

Includes numerous layout possibilities and a "home page" layout to meet the unique needs of various campus web sites, yet still clearly represent Cal Poly
Incorporates usability and accessibility best practices for Cal Poly logo linking to the Cal Poly home page, the search box formatting, the home page rotator, the mega-menu and many other features
Meets campus standards for minimum identity and communications elements
Uses current Web standards for XHTML 1.0 Transitional and CSS 2.1
Included sample content pages provide extensive content examples for text and images, data tables, and forms.
Stylesheets and javascript are centrally hosted so that we all get the same great look and feel that says Cal Poly
Sites that employ the Dreamweaver template can keep their site specific CSS and images separate from the template system files (this makes future updates easier)
Includes Dreamweaver library items for the main navigation and right-side navigation menus which makes site-wide menu updates easier and faster

Please Note: It is essential that users of the CP Web Template 5.1 have solid knowledge of Dreamweaver Templates and Libraries features, and how to correctly apply CSS styles. ITS suggests that users who need Dreamweaver training could pursue this through the Lynda.com training website. Use of Dreamweaver CS5 or higher is recommended in order to work with the template. Dreamweaver can be obtained as site licensed software through the Software Download Channel on the Cal Poly Portal (my.calpoly.edu).

ITS and Public Affairs ask that websites using the new Cal Poly template to not modify the original artwork or coding of the template system. In order to retain the accessibility of these templates, the structure (XHTML), layout, and original design (artwork and CSS) must not be modified. In addition, Web sites that use a modified template structure cannot be upgraded to newer versions of the template and therefore will not be supported by Information Technology Services.

Cal Poly Template Download

Download Now

Version 5.1.0 (see change status below if you're updating from a previous version)

Download the ZIP archive file to your desktop.
Locate the file on your desktop and double-click on the file.
If a new File Explorer window opens...
1. then simply drag the file named cp_template_standard_v5.1 into your web folder. Then close the new File Explorer window.
If a File extract window pops up...
1. Choose Action > Extract...
2. In "Extract to:" type a period "." (This will extract the package to your current folder. If you want to extract to a specific folder on your computer, then browse to that folder to extract the package. )
3. Click Extract. The site will extract with a folder named cp_template_standard_v5.1 which contains the template files
4. Drag the extracted folder to your Web folder.
Use Dreamweaver "Manage Sites" to configure your Web site by pointing to the cp_template_standard_v5.1 folder.
Use the template instructions to help you get started creating your Web site and to put accessible content into your pages.

Section 508 Compliance and Web Accessibility Best Practices

The Cal Poly Web Template v5.1 framework and sample content has been reviewed for Web Accessibility best practices as described in the Web accessibility Compliance Process Guide. The template passes both the automated checks and the manual checks, meeting both Section 508 and best practices for Web site accessibility.

Though the template and its sample content meets current Web accessibility standards, the content that you place into the template must also be made to comply with Section 508 standards and Web accessibility best practices; and your content must also comply with standards for XHTML 1.0 Transitional and CSS 2.1. The template instructions will assist you with producing accessible content.

What You Get With the Template (Package Contents)

instructions.html - links to online instructions for working with the template
Sample Content Pages
- sample-articlelists.html
- sample-content_and_styles.html
- sample-forms.html
- sample-homepage.html
- sample-span_extrawide.html
- sample-span_wide.html
- sample-tables.html
- sample-widgets_only.html
Templates folder
- home.dwt
- master.dwt
- span_extrawide.dwt
- span_normal.dwt
Library folder
- deptinfo.lbi - Dreamweaver Library item for department info
- deptname.lbi - Dreamweaver Library item for department name
- footer.lbi - Dreamweaver Library item for footer
- main-nav.lbi - Dreamweaver Library item for main menu
- main-nav-megamenu.lbi - Dreamweaver Library item for expanded main menu
- right-nav.lbi - Dreamweaver Library item for right nav menu
- rotator.lbi - Dreamweaver Library item for rotator
- search.lbi - Dreamweaver Library item for search
- struct1.lbi - Dreamweaver Library item for header
- top-nav-accessibility.lbi - Dreamweaver Library item for top nav accesibility
- top-nav-audience.lbi - Dreamweaver Library item for top nav
- top-nav-utility.lbi - Dreamweaver Library item for top nav utility
- breadcrumb.lbi - Dreamweaver Library Item for easier breadcrumb creation
css folder
- screen.css - Custom Web stylesheet
- print.css - Custom print style sheet
images folder - use this to store your department's images and graphics
common folder - includes files that retain the layout and design of the template

Change Status (Versions)

A note about updates and version changes

Using our three digit versioning system you can determine if the template you've used can be upgraded with more current CSS.

This is how to interpret a version number, such as 5.1.0:

First digit - indicates a major change in the template architecture or design. This will typically stay pretty constant for the foreseeable future.
Second digit - indicates XHTML code additions or fixes that affect layout or function. The fundamental code architecture of the template has not been changed.
Third digit - primarily used to indicate a change to the CSS or Javascript such as style additions or fixes. May also include minor XHTML code changes that don't affect layout or function.

More recent versions of the CSS can be used with template implementations which have the same second digit. For example, the CSS from the 5.1.1 template can be used with the 5.1.0 version. And likewise, the CSS from a 5.0.3 template can be used with the 5.0.1 template. However, you cannot use the CSS from the 5.1.1 template with earlier versions of the template XHTML, such as 5.0.1.

In general and with limited exceptions, you can not interchange template components with different first digits. For example, components from the 5.x.x version cannot be used with components from the 3.x template. Hope this make sense.

Determine Your Template Version

You can determine your template XHTML version by looking for the version number in the comments at the top of the code of any web page in your site. Load a page and view the code (in Firefox: View > Page Source. In IE: View > Source). Look for the version number in the comments. It will only be the first two digits.

Version 5.1.0 originally posted 10/xx/12

Code changes to the MegaNav, and additional changes to the css. Important!: In order to make sure your MegaNav works properly, make sure you have the newest version of the css along with this version of the template.

Check our upgrading to 5.1.0. guide to ensure a smooth update process.

New clear class added below each row block in the meganav to optimize spacing
Span tags added inside h3 headings within MegaNav to allow spacing
CSS added to allow h3 headings to be linked in MegaNav (Best coding practice is to include the <a> tag within the <span> tag that is within the h3)
Headers in the MegaNav now all properly align, and can now take up two lines
Fixed close menu button in the meganav to position properly
Removed .alignRight and .smallText css
Fixed No Style tables (.table_noStyle) to display header row properly
Fixed issue with A-Z and Quicklinks which caused menus to close prematurely
Added Google+ icon for use in the footer

If you're upgrading to this from version 5.0.0. please contact the ITS Service Desk for assistance 805-756-7000.

Added .iconLinks class for a icon-enhanced navigation option (see right side of Cal Poly homepage for example)
Fixed department links ul list in footer to use unicode for bullet and space
Fixed margin for columns-based ul and ol
On sample pages, added examples of iconLinks class uses and removed uneeded spaces in code that caused columns to run off the page when viewed in Dreamweaver CS5
Changed width on tables .directories class to better accomodate for Dreamweaver CS5 display bug
Added .emphRed class for bolded red text and added .emphBlue class for bolded blue text

WARC

Web Authoring Resource Center

University Identity

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