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A MySpace skin, or template, is used to customize a MySpace user page. With thousands of available free templates on the Internet, a user can publicize musical preferences, political affiliations, hobbies and more. These templates make it simple for non-CSS savvy page owners to craft a look that speaks or their interests.
Templates are also useful for changing the very structure of a MySpace page. Depending on what type, a template may hide sections, rearrange data or change the page into a drastically different-looking platform. - There are various types of templates ranging from the very simple to complex skins that utilize Div coding to change the entire page structure. Most skins have simple code that the page owner inserts into the "About Me" block of code in the profile menu. Others need a bit more tweaking. The above-mentioned Div overlays require copying and pasting of user ID numbers and several URLs to run correctly. Because of this, Divs aren't recommended for users that don't have a working knowledge of web design. Still others are called "tiny" or "mini" templates for their diminutive size.
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Most MySpace templates have common features. At their root, all MySpace templates consist of a custom CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) that contains the programming language that actually changes the page code. Skins will usually include code for the contact box, the friend area, comments section and personal information. The user may also find other contact box options on the Internet, along with methods for hiding the status box.
As these templates use more modern technology, they're now including animations, movie clips and film strips. Some are even coded to include huge banners at the very top of the page, a useful function for commercial pages or celebrity profiles. -
MySpace templates have allowed people to make their MySpace experience truly their own. By offering so many customization features, MySpace makes their site accessible to a larger span of people. The generic MySpace page is now a rarity as many users try their hand at creating their own artistic statement.
Template design has also caught the imaginations of young people who foster a sense of community through the use of technology. Although MySpace tweaking may just look like fun, it teaches comfort with programming languages such as CSS, HTML and Flash. These are great skills that can lead to careers in graphic design and programming later on. -
MySpace template use isn't specifically isolated to one geographic location. Many of the big MySpace template sites have members from the United States, England, Russia and Latin America. Also, MySpace skins are available to anyone who has an Internet connection and the capacity to find the websites. The programming language is universal, so language barriers are seldom a problem.
Of course, there are designs that appeal to a certain geographic area of the world. British sites will be more likely to have MySpace templates featuring Jordan, while an American site might have special skins for Independence Day. Many sites feature content generated by users, so there is usually a melting pot of ideas and traditions.
