Dreamweaver - CSS, Templates and Contribute

Author

CSS, Templates and Contribute

Fred1000

2006-02-12, 6:33 pm

I'm new to CSS but can readily see the advantages. In the past I've used
tables, with a cell as the editable region on the template to allow end users
to edit with Contribute.

I'm now working on new site that will(should) have an editable region . My
planned workflow is
1. Design page layout using CSS (including CSS-P) and layers.
2. Save as template.
3. Establish the layer that will be changed as "editable"
4. Complete rest of pages basing them on the template.
5. Users can then use Contribute to change the editable regions after site
published.

Is my thinking on the overall CSS/Template process on the right track? The
only reason I'm thinking of the template is so that users can edit with
Contirbute.

Assuming I'm on track, later I would make necessary changes to the CSS which
will update the CSS on the template which will then update all pages (after a
yes to the "update all pages" dialogue) with the CSS changes to the rest of my
pages??? Note that I'm not clear that when I base a new page on the template,
does the CSS "go along" to the new page or do I have to associate the page with
the external style sheet?

I guess what it comes down to is: Must I use a template with editable regions
to allow users to use Contribute or is there something in CSS where I can
"freeze" part of a page and make only certian layers editable with Contribute?

Thnx for any advice and/or suggestions for a better solution. Note that these
are static pages with no DBs involved.

Fred

Murray *TMM*

2006-02-12, 6:33 pm

> 1. Design page layout using CSS (including CSS-P) and layers.

Eliminate the layers. You most likely don't need them at all.

> 3. Establish the layer that will be changed as "editable"

Why are you thinking that this must be in a layer?

> Is my thinking on the overall CSS/Template process on the right track?
> The
> only reason I'm thinking of the template is so that users can edit with
> Contirbute.

So far, so good. I would also encourage you to investigate the use of
Server-side includes as a way for further limiting your sub-user access, and
as a way of minimizing the disadvantage of templates only working on local
files.

> later I would make necessary changes to the CSS which
> will update the CSS on the template which will then update all pages
> (after a
> yes to the "update all pages" dialogue) with the CSS changes to the rest
> of my
> pages???

If your CSS is linked to each page as an external file, then you would only
need to make a change to that file and upload it. No local files other than
that one would be changed.

> Must I use a template with editable regions
> to allow users to use Contribute or is there something in CSS where I can
> "freeze" part of a page and make only certian layers editable with
> Contribute?

You must use templates to limit the Contribute editors. But I see that you
starting off wrong by visualizing this with layers. Get layers out of your
head. You don't need them.

--
Murray --- ICQ 71997575
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Dreamweaver
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
==================
http://www.dreamweavermx-templates.com - Template Triage!
http://www.projectseven.com/go - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
http://www.dwfaq.com - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
http://www.macromedia.com/support/search/ - Macromedia (MM) Technotes
==================

"Fred1000" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
news:dsdibj$3a9$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> I'm new to CSS but can readily see the advantages. In the past I've used
> tables, with a cell as the editable region on the template to allow end
> users
> to edit with Contribute.
>
> I'm now working on new site that will(should) have an editable region .
> My
> planned workflow is
> 1. Design page layout using CSS (including CSS-P) and layers.
> 2. Save as template.
> 3. Establish the layer that will be changed as "editable"
> 4. Complete rest of pages basing them on the template.
> 5. Users can then use Contribute to change the editable regions after site
> published.
>
> Is my thinking on the overall CSS/Template process on the right track?
> The
> only reason I'm thinking of the template is so that users can edit with
> Contirbute.
>
> Assuming I'm on track, later I would make necessary changes to the CSS
> which
> will update the CSS on the template which will then update all pages
> (after a
> yes to the "update all pages" dialogue) with the CSS changes to the rest
> of my
> pages??? Note that I'm not clear that when I base a new page on the
> template,
> does the CSS "go along" to the new page or do I have to associate the page
> with
> the external style sheet?
>
> I guess what it comes down to is: Must I use a template with editable
> regions
> to allow users to use Contribute or is there something in CSS where I can
> "freeze" part of a page and make only certian layers editable with
> Contribute?
>
> Thnx for any advice and/or suggestions for a better solution. Note that
> these
> are static pages with no DBs involved.
>
> Fred
>
>

Fred1000

2006-02-12, 6:34 pm

Thanks for the quick return of information. Want to be sure I conceptually get
this. I understand your comment about forget layers (guess I've read enough
of your helpful replys on the fourm about this item). What I am struggling
with is the CSS-P and "layers" Example: I have an image that I apply a
CSS-P position to. In DW that turns it into a layer. Is this "layer"
different that if I use the Draw Layer icon just to the left of the Standard
tab on the layout toolbar? I guess I'm used to laying out the page and then
filling it with content. Is the opposite approach better; just get my content
on the page and then develop my styles?

Thnx
Fred

Bonnie

2006-02-12, 6:42 pm

Fred1000 wrote:
> Thanks for the quick return of information. Want to be sure I conceptually get
> this. I understand your comment about forget layers (guess I've read enough
> of your helpful replys on the fourm about this item). What I am struggling
> with is the CSS-P and "layers" Example: I have an image that I apply a
> CSS-P position to. In DW that turns it into a layer. Is this "layer"
> different that if I use the Draw Layer icon just to the left of the Standard
> tab on the layout toolbar? I guess I'm used to laying out the page and then
> filling it with content. Is the opposite approach better; just get my content
> on the page and then develop my styles?
>
> Thnx
> Fred
>
I think Murray is saying not to use **absolutely positioned** divs
(which is what layers are) and rather let the natural flow of the page
prevail to the extent possible. For an excellent tutorial to get you
started, try this:
http://www.projectseven.com/tutoria...acfly/index.htm

--
Bonnie in California
kroko at
sbcglobal dot net
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/...ts/CTDSites.woa