Editing The Erudite

Unfortunately I am now very confused. The style.css file in this instance states that it is not used, as below:

/* File here for WP identification purposes only. This CSS file is not loaded by the theme at all. See css directory for theme CSS */

But where do I find this css directory?

When you say create a Child Theme, do you mean start from scratch, copying what I already have?

But where do I find this css directory?

I assume you’re accessing your Theme files via FTP.

The Erudite’s Theme files are in /wp-content/themes/the-erudite/.
Inside of this directory, find the /css/ directory.
Inside of this directory, find the erudite.css file.

When you say create a Child Theme, do you mean start from scratch, copying what I already have?

No, not at all. In your case, a Child Theme would be nothing other than a properly formatted style.css file. See here:
https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Child_Themes

I’m not using FTP. An attempt just now taught me that I do not have a password to do so (guest didn’t work).

I’m accessing everything through the site itself. This is probably irrelevant (I’m useless at this stuff), but I purchased the WordPress option when I bought the domain from GoDaddy. So I log onto my own site and access WP through that.

You’re probably going to need FTP access if you want to edit Theme files.

You could alternately use the File Manger in cPanel (or Plesk or whatever GoDaddy offers) in your hosting account, but that’s a much more difficult approach.

Another stupid question: how do I get FTP access?

Another stupid question: how do I get FTP access?

You will probably need to set up an FTP account, through your GoDaddy account management.

If I just use Firebug in Firefox instead, will I be able to make the changes permanently? Or is that just too easy?

If I just use Firebug in Firefox instead, will I be able to make the changes permanently? Or is that just too easy?

No, that doesn’t work. All these developer tools do is modify the browser’s local version of the stylesheet that has been served to the browser from your site.

But think about it: if you could make permanent changes to your own site using Firebug, then you could also make permanent changes to anyone else’s site – and anyone else could make changes to your site.

Good point. Okay Chip, thank you for your help. Off to GoDaddy I go.