2 - Handles - The Cowboy that Rounds up The Blocks

The layout XML can be like a huge dunghill with a few nuggets of gold in it. There are at least 43 layout XML files in a standard Magento instalation. So, where is the gold? This tutorial explains how to find what you are looking for. Only the xml between the handles that correspond to the current page request are used. This tutorial discusses and dissects handles in clear and simple terms.