[TYPO3] Template Creation Guidance

[Lee M. Childress]

This is the third time I have installed Typo3 and I am bound and determined to conquor it this time!I currently have a website which is similar in concept to About.com but containing information for the county in which I live, but want to upgrade it to a more sophisticated content system (currently I am using Drupal). Template changes will vary between home page, category pages, and regular content pages as well as a few other template styles needed sprinkled within the site.My question: Is it better that I develop several html templates saved in a file to select from, or should I code the template directly within the template configuration of the backend and then just use extension templates to alter the format for the various pages? I'd rather do it right the first time then have to start over!Thank you for your input. I'll be glad when the day comes that I come offer my expertise rather than posting as a newbee.