Re: W/ apache 2

As I recall, the LayoutHeader and LayoutFooter directives take filenames 
relative to the DocumentRoot.  So unless your DocumentRoot is /, then 
/home/xyz/www/qwerty/ is not the path you need.  You might try something 
like this (for user directories):

    LayoutIgnore /ab/*.*
    LayoutIgnore /abc/*.*
    UserDir www
    <Directory /home/*/www>
        LayoutHeader /qwerty/header.htm
        LayoutFooter /qwerty/footer.html
    </Directory>

However, this only works if the DocumentRoot becomes that users's 
~user/www directory, which I don't know how to do, but I think you'll 
see the general idea.  (If somehow you could configure a mass virtual 
host such that it's username.users.my.domain.com or something, then that 
would work, otherwise it won't).

It's extremely difficult to do for home directories, but I believe that 
the absolute path vs. DocumentRoot is what you're running into 
(Disclaimer:  I haven't used mod_layout 4.x, only 3.2)

    I hope this helps,
        - Paul Marks