For whatever reason each time I install a template the contact form shows up really funny and is not functional. this has happened using Chromatosphere and also with the Catalyst template. An example can be seen here:
thebauerinvestmentgroup.com/index.php?op...ory&catid=0&Itemid=3
Are you looking for an actual contact us form with the fields displayed? If so, change the contact us menu item from "Contact Category Layout," which is what you are displaying now, to "Standard Contact Layout." And make sure you set the contact parameters, too.
OK, now I am going to just sound stupid, but I changed it and it got rid of what was there and it is headed in the right direction but how do I set the parameters so that they will show a simple form like the one found here:
notyourmamasknives.com/index.php?option=...ntact&id=1&Itemid=27
I have copied the parameters exactly but to no avail. What else am I supposed to edit?
Components -> Contacts. Once you sent the contact the way you want it, go back to your contact us menu item and make sure it's linked to the contact (under Parameters - Basic and the 'Select Contact' dropdown.
The steps I follow to get a contact us form is:
1.) Create a 'contacts category' (components -> contact -> categories) named contacts.
2.) Create a contact (components -> contacts -> new) and link it to the admin (if only setting up one contact); set what you want to hide/show/etc.
3.) Create a new menu item that is a 'standard contact layout' that is linked to to the contact I just created.