Re: best resource to set page colors/backgrounds?

: It would be even better if there were a single resource which would
: update both main page and indivisual message pages, and if this could be
: applied retrospectively to pages already archived, in case we change our
: look & feel...

Have you thought  about using Cascading Style Sheets?  
--
Eric D. Friedman
friedman(_at_)uci(_dot_)edu