Copy the custom_index plugin and then made modifications on this directory

mod\custom_index2\views\default\canvas\layouts\new_index.php

Oh, and you might wanna remove this 'canvas' directory from the template.

Personally, I haven't used the BuddyTalk template. So, can't you specific instructions about that. But, playing a bit with it would be a little fun for you, I think. ☺

Shouvik,

Thanks for the quick response buddy.

Are you telling me to edit the new_index.php file located in: 

MOD\custom_index\views\default\canvas\layouts\new_index.php directory 

and doing so will allow me to control the content of the main area on my front page?  I'm sorry if this seems like a repetition of EXACTLY what you just said, I just want to make sure I understand you completely, this is an important personal project to me and I don't want to make a mistake and be forced to start all over.

Thanks so much,
Tanner 

Yes, it will allow you to do so. But, I prefer making changes with a copy of the plugin. First, copy the custom_index plugin and place it under the same directory, i.e. the 'mod' directory of your elgg installation, and then make changes on the new_index.php file.

Tanner, I've been trying to do the same thing but I have been unsuccessful. Did you get yours to work?

Yes. It does work very well.

This is a site I had created. Not very serious about it, but still ...

http://serampore.tk

Also, here is one screenshot of a site, created for my client. Not yet launched. So, no demo link of live site, only screenshot

@Shouvik - I like your designs. Thanks for the tips; I'm trying something similar.

@floyd It always is delightful to find somone on the same path ... :-)

@Shouvik Mukherjee - the design you showed above is exactly what I am looking for. Can you be contacted directly for professional help? thanks

Ariane

@Shouvik ... the page at serampore.tk is partially exactly what i'm looking to do. I only want the top part. In other words, I want to remove everything from the front page except my own graphic and the login box. How in the heck can I do that? (I've tried almost everything!)

Alan

HAHA I think I figured it all out!

I just went to

/mod/custom_index/views/default/canvas/layouts/new_index.php

and added

<style type="text/css">

#layout_header {

display:none;

}

</style>

at the top of the page. That way it doesn't apply to any other file ... only the one it exists in. LOL

I feel like an idiot now, tho, cause I should've remembered that from the days that I played with pure CSS as site design.

Silly me.

:))