Current mood:

accomplished

Packaging Tutorial
Aka "How To Get Your MoodTheme To The Audience"

Hello, welcome, and I thought I'd start with something useful. I'm sure there are other methods, and I invite you to post your own, but this is what works for me...

A) Pack all the icons into one zip file.
B) Create a README.txt document. Make sure it contains explicit cut-and-paste written-for-dummies instructions on how to upload and install your icon set. For example's sake, here's mine:

1) Unzip and upload all attached images a designated folder on your server -- your choice. 2) Go to http://www.livejournal.com/admin/console 3) Paste in the following bold line and enter it (you can tweak the second phrase if you like: moodtheme_create "Kielle's EomerCircles" "Eomer moodicons!" 4) Take the number it gives you and, in the large bolded block of commands below, replace XXXX with that number. 5) In the same large bolded block of commands below, replace "http://www.yoururlhere.com/" with the path to where you placed your copies of the graphic files. 5) Paste the entire bold block below into the Admin Console window and enter it. moodtheme_setpic XXXX 2 http://www.yoururlhere.com/angry.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 1 http://www.yoururlhere.com/aggravated.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 3 http://www.yoururlhere.com/annoyed.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 110 http://www.yoururlhere.com/bitchy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 8 http://www.yoururlhere.com/cranky.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 104 http://www.yoururlhere.com/cynical.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 12 http://www.yoururlhere.com/enraged.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 47 http://www.yoururlhere.com/frustrated.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 95 http://www.yoururlhere.com/grumpy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 19 http://www.yoururlhere.com/infuriated.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 20 http://www.yoururlhere.com/irate.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 112 http://www.yoururlhere.com/irritated.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 23 http://www.yoururlhere.com/moody.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 24 http://www.yoururlhere.com/pissedoff.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 28 http://www.yoururlhere.com/stressed.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 100 http://www.yoururlhere.com/rushed.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 87 http://www.yoururlhere.com/awake.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 6 http://www.yoururlhere.com/confused.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 56 http://www.yoururlhere.com/curious.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 45 http://www.yoururlhere.com/determined.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 118 http://www.yoururlhere.com/predatory.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 130 http://www.yoururlhere.com/devious.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 11 http://www.yoururlhere.com/energetic.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 59 http://www.yoururlhere.com/bouncy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 52 http://www.yoururlhere.com/hyper.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 13 http://www.yoururlhere.com/enthralled.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 15 http://www.yoururlhere.com/happy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 44 http://www.yoururlhere.com/amused.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 125 http://www.yoururlhere.com/cheerful.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 99 http://www.yoururlhere.com/chipper.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 98 http://www.yoururlhere.com/ecstatic.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 41 http://www.yoururlhere.com/excited.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 16 http://www.yoururlhere.com/high.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 17 http://www.yoururlhere.com/horny.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 126 http://www.yoururlhere.com/good.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 132 http://www.yoururlhere.com/grateful.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 116 http://www.yoururlhere.com/impressed.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 21 http://www.yoururlhere.com/jubilant.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 86 http://www.yoururlhere.com/loved.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 70 http://www.yoururlhere.com/optimistic.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 43 http://www.yoururlhere.com/hopeful.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 109 http://www.yoururlhere.com/pleased.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 69 http://www.yoururlhere.com/refreshed.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 62 http://www.yoururlhere.com/rejuvenated.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 53 http://www.yoururlhere.com/relaxed.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 68 http://www.yoururlhere.com/calm.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 57 http://www.yoururlhere.com/mellow.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 58 http://www.yoururlhere.com/peaceful.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 77 http://www.yoururlhere.com/recumbent.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 26 http://www.yoururlhere.com/satisfied.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 64 http://www.yoururlhere.com/content.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 63 http://www.yoururlhere.com/complacent.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 65 http://www.yoururlhere.com/indifferent.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 93 http://www.yoururlhere.com/full.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 42 http://www.yoururlhere.com/relieved.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 66 http://www.yoururlhere.com/silly.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 106 http://www.yoururlhere.com/crazy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 35 http://www.yoururlhere.com/ditzy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 67 http://www.yoururlhere.com/flirty.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 120 http://www.yoururlhere.com/giddy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 72 http://www.yoururlhere.com/giggly.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 36 http://www.yoururlhere.com/mischievous.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 117 http://www.yoururlhere.com/naughty.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 105 http://www.yoururlhere.com/quixotic.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 96 http://www.yoururlhere.com/weird.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 121 http://www.yoururlhere.com/surprised.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 122 http://www.yoururlhere.com/shocked.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 131 http://www.yoururlhere.com/thankful.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 32 http://www.yoururlhere.com/touched.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 48 http://www.yoururlhere.com/indescribable.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 102 http://www.yoururlhere.com/nerdy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 115 http://www.yoururlhere.com/dorky.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 103 http://www.yoururlhere.com/geeky.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 61 http://www.yoururlhere.com/okay.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 92 http://www.yoururlhere.com/blah.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 33 http://www.yoururlhere.com/lazy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 78 http://www.yoururlhere.com/exanimate.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 114 http://www.yoururlhere.com/apathetic.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 113 http://www.yoururlhere.com/blank.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 75 http://www.yoururlhere.com/lethargic.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 76 http://www.yoururlhere.com/listless.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 25 http://www.yoururlhere.com/sad.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 5 http://www.yoururlhere.com/bored.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 7 http://www.yoururlhere.com/crappy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 129 http://www.yoururlhere.com/crushed.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 9 http://www.yoururlhere.com/depressed.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 55 http://www.yoururlhere.com/disappointed.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 10 http://www.yoururlhere.com/discontent.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 80 http://www.yoururlhere.com/envious.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 38 http://www.yoururlhere.com/gloomy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 71 http://www.yoururlhere.com/pessimistic.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 133 http://www.yoururlhere.com/jealous.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 22 http://www.yoururlhere.com/lonely.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 39 http://www.yoururlhere.com/melancholy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 37 http://www.yoururlhere.com/morose.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 124 http://www.yoururlhere.com/numb.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 123 http://www.yoururlhere.com/rejected.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 81 http://www.yoururlhere.com/sympathetic.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 74 http://www.yoururlhere.com/uncomfortable.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 84 http://www.yoururlhere.com/cold.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 119 http://www.yoururlhere.com/dirty.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 34 http://www.yoururlhere.com/drunk.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 14 http://www.yoururlhere.com/exhausted.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 40 http://www.yoururlhere.com/drained.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 31 http://www.yoururlhere.com/tired.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 51 http://www.yoururlhere.com/groggy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 49 http://www.yoururlhere.com/sleepy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 111 http://www.yoururlhere.com/guilty.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 83 http://www.yoururlhere.com/hot.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 18 http://www.yoururlhere.com/hungry.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 54 http://www.yoururlhere.com/restless.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 82 http://www.yoururlhere.com/sick.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 97 http://www.yoururlhere.com/nauseated.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 27 http://www.yoururlhere.com/sore.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 29 http://www.yoururlhere.com/thirsty.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 85 http://www.yoururlhere.com/worried.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 46 http://www.yoururlhere.com/scared.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 4 http://www.yoururlhere.com/anxious.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 127 http://www.yoururlhere.com/distressed.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 79 http://www.yoururlhere.com/embarrassed.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 128 http://www.yoururlhere.com/intimidated.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 134 http://www.yoururlhere.com/nervous.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 30 http://www.yoururlhere.com/thoughtful.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 101 http://www.yoururlhere.com/contemplative.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 60 http://www.yoururlhere.com/nostalgic.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 73 http://www.yoururlhere.com/pensive.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 88 http://www.yoururlhere.com/working.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 90 http://www.yoururlhere.com/accomplished.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 108 http://www.yoururlhere.com/artistic.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 91 http://www.yoururlhere.com/busy.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 107 http://www.yoururlhere.com/creative.gif 50 50 moodtheme_setpic XXXX 89 http://www.yoururlhere.com/productive.gif 50 50 5) Once this has processed, return to LJ proper and click "Modify Journal" on the LJ left nav. The new custom mood theme should be at the bottom of the drop-down "Select mood icon set:" menu. Chose it, activate it, and that should be all you need to do! :)

C) Place this text file into the zip file with the icons.
D) Upload it or offer it by mail, your choice.

The trickiest part is writing a good how-to, honestly -- once you have that perfected to your liking, it's cake, you can re-use it over and over again with minor tweaks. I do. ;)