Are FP Inline Frames a normal design method?

[msammut]

Hello, I wtarted a thread earlier regarding a problem where my whole web page gets higher and wider if I try to add text or resize a picture. Please see my previous thread to understand the problem and view some of my code (I am a beginner). I started in FP creating several tables and adding text and pictures to each cell. I am frustrated. Everytime I try to add text or resize pictures the whole page look changes in size. Since my last thread to you I have found something called inline frames that I am finally having success with. Now, regardless of what I have in one frame, it does not affect the other frames when it has to be resized. Is there any caution I must take when working with FP inline frames? Will all internet users be able to view a website that is designed with inline frames? Is using frames the normal and most sensible way to create a web page.

msammut

 

[BillyRayPreachersSon]

Will all internet users be able to view a website that is designed with inline frames?

Assuming they have a modern, frames-capable web browser, yes.

Is using frames the normal and most sensible way to create a web page.

It is becoming less "normal" (i.e. standard) to create a web page using frames. However, there is nothing wrong with doing so, if the structure of the site needs this to be the case.

If you are using frames purely for layout reasons, however, then I'd say that it is wrong to do so.

Hope this helps,
Dan



[tt]Dan's Page [blue]@[/blue] Code Couch

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[Foamcow]

I'd have to say "no".

In 10 years of web design I think I have used an inline frame once.
Other people seem to use them more often.

I think the question(s) you need to ask are:

What do I want to do?
By what methods can I achieve that?
Is there a better/different way to do it?
Will my users benefit?

If you can show us the actual page then maybe we can suggest a way in which you can do what you want to do.

<honk>*:O)</honk>
Foamcow Heavy Industries - Web design and ranting
Buy Languedoc wines in the UK

 

[msammut]

Hello Foamcow,
Now I am really discouraged with the info on inline frames. If you go to

http://ca.geocities.com/mdsammut@rogers.com/

you will see what I am trying to do. Just a site with a header on each page, navigation buttons, a couple pictures and body text in the middle. The area with the picture will change with a combination of text and picture on each page link, but on all pages, I want the header and navigation bars to stay the same. What format do you best recommend for this type of site, where resizing pictures or adding text wont be a problem. I know I will eventually get this right. Being disabled, I cannot attend a course for web design, but I am learning and getting better each day.

msammut

 

[ChrisHunt]

The number one thing you can do is dump Frump Page and get to grips with HTML & CSS. You don't need to go on any courses - just find yourself a good book (I'm not recommending one, as what works for me may not suit you) and/or get some online guidance. Try

http://www.w3schools.com

or

http://htmldog.com

for starters.

(CORRECTION: The number one thing you can do is stop posting new threads all essentially asking the same question. You'll get good answers from the regulars here if you show a little patience)

Coming back to your problem, I take it you're looking for a frames-like effect, with scroll bars appearing in the content area if it's too big to fit.

One solution would be to use, well, frames (or iframes, as you've already found). Do a search of this forum and you'll find much argument over the merits and demerits of frames. Most of us (myself included) tend to discourage their use, but there's one regular poster here who takes the opposite view. If that frame-like appearance is of paramount importance to you, (i)frames are certainly the simplest way to acheive it - but there's a price to pay in other (generally more important) areas.

For a faux-frames approach, maybe something like

http://www.cssplay.co.uk/layouts/body4.html

would do the job? Personally, I hate having to scroll - so I don't see any sense in adding more scrollbars to the user experience than absolutely necessary. I've already got to scroll past the Geocities ads and that tacky marquee, why add a scrolling region too?

-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd

 

[Foamcow]

Scrolling is an issue actually.

For instance, many people now have mice with scroll wheels.
I like to scroll up and down the page with my scroll wheel.
If I want to scroll a frame, I need to click on it first.

Not a killer issue, but certainly an annoyance of mine - then again, I get annoyed quite easily sometimes

For what you are doing and considering you are just starting out I'd say forget using frames and forget the whole keeping the same depth thing. It's a bit of a myth that people don't like to scroll. Think about it - you do it all the time and it's not an issue.

<honk>*:O)</honk>
Foamcow Heavy Industries - Web design and ranting
Buy Languedoc wines in the UK

 

[msammut]

As mentioned before, please forgive any impatience or offense I may have caused. I have not been able to grasp certain concepts yet and am just frustrated. Foamcow and Chrishunt, you are both wonderful and I will take your advice and seek a good tutorial. You both give sound advice and I would hate to bother you any further until I can get some formal training.

msammut

 

[Foamcow]

You really don't need formal training to learn HTML.

Do the W3C tutorials in order and you will be well on your way.

<honk>*:O)</honk>
Foamcow Heavy Industries - Web design and ranting
Buy Languedoc wines in the UK