Dreamweaver - Tables versus Framesets

Author

Tables versus Framesets

maryeanderson01

2005-07-30, 4:17 am

I've searched the tutorials and the forums and I see lots of "don't use
framesets" and "tables can do the same thing", but nowhere did I see "hints" on
how tables can simulate the operation of framesets. I have used both, but I am
new! I want to avoid frameset usage, but I would like to simulate the effect
achieved by using them where you create top banner, leftnavbar and "main" page
where other site pages target the "main" area. If you use tables instead of
frames, I suppose you can create a template for the top and left to minimize
redundant maintenance, but regardless, how do you achieve the targeting of a
linked to page into the "main" cell of a table??? So far I have bought 3 books
and none of the are clear on this either. Also, I'm beginning to think I will
have to understand much more about other technologies and hooking them in to
Dreamweaver to really deliver an application... HELP please as I want to clear
this up and rearchitect a site I have that I need to get content out on...

Tricia*C*

2005-07-30, 4:17 am

I created my site with a template that is the top and left and bottom parts
template and the center right is the "editable region". here is my url:
http://www.ahisd.net. Then when I need a new page I just apply my template
and enter content in the editable region.

If you want a frame look with a scrollable region... then take a look at
this site: http://www.riserocks.com/
This type of code was used inside a cell to create the frame :

<DIV align=center><IFRAME name=MyFrame align=default
src="RISE - Home Page_files/news.htm" frameBorder=0
width=500 height=610></IFRAME></DIV>

I think his/her site looks pretty cool.

"maryeanderson01" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
news:dcf153$p8l$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> I've searched the tutorials and the forums and I see lots of "don't use
> framesets" and "tables can do the same thing", but nowhere did I see
> "hints" on
> how tables can simulate the operation of framesets. I have used both, but
> I am
> new! I want to avoid frameset usage, but I would like to simulate the
> effect
> achieved by using them where you create top banner, leftnavbar and "main"
> page
> where other site pages target the "main" area. If you use tables instead
> of
> frames, I suppose you can create a template for the top and left to
> minimize
> redundant maintenance, but regardless, how do you achieve the targeting of
> a
> linked to page into the "main" cell of a table??? So far I have bought 3
> books
> and none of the are clear on this either. Also, I'm beginning to think I
> will
> have to understand much more about other technologies and hooking them in
> to
> Dreamweaver to really deliver an application... HELP please as I want to
> clear
> this up and rearchitect a site I have that I need to get content out on...
>

Res

2005-07-30, 4:17 am

tricia:
Nice web site. Want to sell me your template?
Res
"Tricia*C*" <triciac@ahisd.net> wrote in message
news:dcf1nk$pqb$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> I created my site with a template that is the top and left and bottom
parts
> template and the center right is the "editable region". here is my url:
> http://www.ahisd.net. Then when I need a new page I just apply my
template
> and enter content in the editable region.
>
> If you want a frame look with a scrollable region... then take a look at
> this site: http://www.riserocks.com/
> This type of code was used inside a cell to create the frame :
>
> <DIV align=center><IFRAME name=MyFrame align=default
> src="RISE - Home Page_files/news.htm"
frameBorder=0
> width=500 height=610></IFRAME></DIV>
>
> I think his/her site looks pretty cool.
>
> "maryeanderson01" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
> news:dcf153$p8l$1@forums.macromedia.com...
but[color=darkred]
"main"[color=darkred]
instead[color=darkred]
of[color=darkred]
3[color=darkred]
I[color=darkred]
in[color=darkred]
to[color=darkred]
on...[color=darkred]
>
>

maryeanderson01

2005-07-30, 4:17 am

Thanks so much for these suggestions. This does mean though, that if you change any of the "3 areas" in your template, you have to go back and edit all pages previously created with template right?

Tricia*C*

2005-07-30, 4:17 am

The beauty of using templates is that you change it once on your template
then dreamweaver ask you if you want to update the pages that uses the
template..You say yes...and it updates your entire local site that uses that
template. then I usually sync. and the pages get uploaded to the server.
It's soooooo easy to use. I love it!!

"maryeanderson01" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
news:dcf3tj$s9n$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> Thanks so much for these suggestions. This does mean though, that if you
> change any of the "3 areas" in your template, you have to go back and edit
> all pages previously created with template right?

.: Nadia :. *TMM*

2005-07-30, 7:18 am

No, you can't target a table cell I'm afraid. However, I don't see why you
would want to anyway. Once the graphics or a header of graphics in a menu
bar are loaded into the cache the subsequent rendering is quite seamless and
it shouldn't be any transition going from one page to the other.

If you have a small site, then the use of templates is the best way to go.
Tricia*C* explained it quite well, except for saying "apply a template" to a
page. This can cause issues if you don't have the same amount of editable
regions. All you do is *create* a child page from the template. Change
what you need in the template (dwt) and all changes propogate to the child
pages.

If the site is a large one - then the use of serverside includes is the best
way to go. With this method, you just upload one file and all the pages on
the remote server get updated. With templates, you need to upload *all* the
changed pages... not much of a hassle on a small site, but can be tedious
for a very large site.

Hope this helps.

--
Nadia
--------------------------------------------
Templates | CSS Templates | http://www.DreamweaverResources.com
Dropdown Menu Designs | SEO Articles |Tutorials
Web: http://www.perrelink.com.au
---------------------------------------------
Team MM Volunteer for Dreamweaver
http://tinyurl.com/aa3ne
MM Dreamweaver Tutorials
http://macromedia.com/devnet/mx/dreamweaver/
---------------------------------------------

"maryeanderson01" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
news:dcf153$p8l$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> I've searched the tutorials and the forums and I see lots of "don't use
> framesets" and "tables can do the same thing", but nowhere did I see
> "hints" on
> how tables can simulate the operation of framesets. I have used both, but
> I am
> new! I want to avoid frameset usage, but I would like to simulate the
> effect
> achieved by using them where you create top banner, leftnavbar and "main"
> page
> where other site pages target the "main" area. If you use tables instead
> of
> frames, I suppose you can create a template for the top and left to
> minimize
> redundant maintenance, but regardless, how do you achieve the targeting of
> a
> linked to page into the "main" cell of a table??? So far I have bought 3
> books
> and none of the are clear on this either. Also, I'm beginning to think I
> will
> have to understand much more about other technologies and hooking them in
> to
> Dreamweaver to really deliver an application... HELP please as I want to
> clear
> this up and rearchitect a site I have that I need to get content out on...
>

maryeanderson01

2005-07-30, 7:22 pm

Tricia & Nadia - Thanks SOOOO much!

Tricia, think your answer will help me get up and running again quick without
lots of work, so thanks! I didn't realize templates worked that way..

Nadia, Think for now, will go with Tables, but I do expect site to grow and
may have to expand my horizons, so if you can help expand more on "server" site
that would be great. Truly, would prefer to stay in "tools" like Macromedia
Studio and Adobe Studio (own both), but at end of day, functionality needs may
force me to look at more complex integration scenarios like that. My
background is 30 years in IT, programmed in Assembler, COBOL and C++, primarily
mainframe and managed last 10 years so no "hands on" understanding of
client/server and web development, but good conceptual understanding. Below is
list of topics I need to challenge to implement features on site I would like
to, in priority order. If you can point me at resources (web or books) that
are high level so I can better understand how things all tie together, would we
awesome! Any help appreciated and thanks again for your help already!

1. Fonts Safe and Prevalent - Wanted to use "Calligrapher" in "logo" and
finding few see it. Where can I find out most prevalent fonts to choose from?
Also recall way of coding (HTML?) to insulate and force through any font, but
can't remember where I saw and if it creates more work than worth.
2.Inserting a Feature Story ? PDF versus ?Page?. Have Adobe and want visitors
to be able to print articles etc. Perhaps when I get through with frames this
less of an issue, but then still prints whole page and if feature is display in
a cell, how do I get just story to print? I see sites where they have "print"
links to facilitate printing of just that piece - can I do that with
Dreamweaver?
3. Inserting a Video ? Quicktime
4. Selecting a Database ? Access vs MySQL
5. Accessing a Database from Web Page with Dreamweaver??? Example, reading
in "form" and plopping fields in a database, or accepting a submitted file
(small) and storing on site as "future content".
6.. Password Protecting Site Features

Tricia*C*

2005-07-31, 4:14 am

Nadia,
Maybe I didnt explain myself well...I was trying to explain it quick....
When I said "apply a template to a page", I was meaning a blank page.

Or you could do as Nadia says and click on new then "create" a new page
using the template. Either way will "create a page with the template of
your choice.
My site is a site that uses about 189 pages with the template. It takes me
just a few minutes to update pages and upload by sync. It's not bad. It's
the only way I know how since I am not to comfortable using the serverside.
Either way... good luck!

Trish

".: Nadia :. *TMM*" <nadia@REMOVETHISdreamweaverresources.com> wrote in
message news:dcfiab$ght$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> No, you can't target a table cell I'm afraid. However, I don't see why
> you would want to anyway. Once the graphics or a header of graphics in a
> menu bar are loaded into the cache the subsequent rendering is quite
> seamless and it shouldn't be any transition going from one page to the
> other.
>
> If you have a small site, then the use of templates is the best way to go.
> Tricia*C* explained it quite well, except for saying "apply a template" to
> a page. This can cause issues if you don't have the same amount of
> editable regions. All you do is *create* a child page from the template.
> Change what you need in the template (dwt) and all changes propogate to
> the child pages.
>
> If the site is a large one - then the use of serverside includes is the
> best way to go. With this method, you just upload one file and all the
> pages on the remote server get updated. With templates, you need to
> upload *all* the changed pages... not much of a hassle on a small site,
> but can be tedious for a very large site.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
>
> --
> Nadia
> --------------------------------------------
> Templates | CSS Templates | http://www.DreamweaverResources.com
> Dropdown Menu Designs | SEO Articles |Tutorials
> Web: http://www.perrelink.com.au
> ---------------------------------------------
> Team MM Volunteer for Dreamweaver
> http://tinyurl.com/aa3ne
> MM Dreamweaver Tutorials
> http://macromedia.com/devnet/mx/dreamweaver/
> ---------------------------------------------
>
>
> "maryeanderson01" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
> news:dcf153$p8l$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>
>

Murray *TMM*

2005-07-31, 7:34 pm

> I am not to comfortable using the serverside.

It's worth taking the 10 minutes or so it would require to 'get
comfortable'.

Combining templates with SSI is the only way I work any more, that is when I
use templates at all.

--
Murray --- ICQ 71997575
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Dreamweaver
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
==================
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"Tricia*C*" <triciac@ahisd.net> wrote in message
news:dchj3i$4ml$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> Nadia,
> Maybe I didnt explain myself well...I was trying to explain it quick....
> When I said "apply a template to a page", I was meaning a blank page.
>
> Or you could do as Nadia says and click on new then "create" a new page
> using the template. Either way will "create a page with the template of
> your choice.
> My site is a site that uses about 189 pages with the template. It takes
> me just a few minutes to update pages and upload by sync. It's not bad.
> It's the only way I know how since I am not to comfortable using the
> serverside. Either way... good luck!
>
> Trish
>
> ".: Nadia :. *TMM*" <nadia@REMOVETHISdreamweaverresources.com> wrote in
> message news:dcfiab$ght$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>
>

maryeanderson01

2005-07-31, 11:15 pm

Tricia C - understood and thanks!

Murray - TMM,
If you REALLY want to help, instead of criticizing legitimate questions and
comfort level of individuals, perhaps with less experience than you, it would
be great it you gave some specific facts or pointed to resources. I have only
been in the Online forums 3 or 4 days, and I've seen your name in other threads
I found on this topic after I started this one. I imagine you followed my
comment in one of those other topics over to this thread. It's great if you
want to truly help people rather than tell them "this is the only way I work
any more" with no tangible advice! A better answer may have been "it is worth
getting comfortable, and to do that I recommend this site .... or this book
..... or ".

Please think about it...