horizontal 'rise-up' menu

[jbonham]

Hi,

I have been searching for an example of how to do a horizontal 'rise-up' menu, but cannot find an example or a tutorial.

Plenty of drop-down menus though.

Anybody know of a tutorial?

thanks

jbonham

 

[ChrisHunt]

Have you tried following the instructions for a drop-down menu, but using negative values for the vertical positioning properties?

-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd

 

[jbonham]

No, I did not consider that. I will try that.

But anyway, it seems to be a moot-point, because I have just discovered that in order to have a dynamic menu in IE, javascript MUST be used, which causes the 'active content warning' and that invariably leads to alienating visitors, which I do not want to do.

Also, I have been made aware that many surfers turn off javascript on their system, so my dynamic menu again would be in vain for many individuals.

I guess my only other option is to make a 'high bandwidth' version which could include all the 'bells & whistles', including javascript.

I'm thinking that high bandwidth users would expect javascript, among many other dynamic things, and therefore, the high bandwidth version is the only place for javascript.

Please correct me if i'm wrong.

jbonham

 

[Foamcow]

because I have just discovered that in order to have a dynamic menu in IE

Not sure what you mean here. But I am pretty sure you can do it without any warnings

Look at the menus on

http://www.toccoagames.com

Try the "DoD Server" button, that has a drop down menu. It uses JavaScript for IE but seems to work without any warnings appearing. (Maybe I've "allowed" it on my browser somehow though)

That site uses the famous "SuckerFish Dropdowns" method.

Foamcow Heavy Industries - Web design and ranting
Toccoa Games - Day of Defeat gaming community
Target Marketing Communications - Advertising, Direct Marketing and Public Relations
"I'm making time

 

[ChrisHunt]

You can make it work by ensuring that the top level menu items are also clickable. Suppose you have a menu item called "Products" which cause a set of products to drop down, sorry, up when you hover over it. The Javascript-enabled, and users of decent browsers, will be able to jump to any of your product pages.

But if you make the "Products" bit clickable in itself, going to a page which lists (and links to) all the products pages, people will still be able to get around your site - albeit with rather less elegant navigation.

-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd

 

[taylorantone]

I wouldn't avoid the javascript necessary to make the Suckerfish drop-downs because some people choose to browse without it. Don't cater to people like that. In fact, anyone who browses with javascript disabled has no right to complain if a site doesn't function properly if you ask me.

The warning you're talking about does not appear unless you have manually changed the security settings for IE from the default. I've used the suckerfish drop-downs and the accompanying javascript for IE without seeing those warnings.

 

[jbonham]

thanks for all the replies.

taylorantone- you make a good point about not catering to javascript-disabled users. I had not thought about the situation that way.

However, research indicates that about 1 in 5 surfers are js-disabled. 20%. Big number. That stat may not be accurate, but still...

I had hoped to include a "little" js in my low bandwidth version, for such things as menus and linking positions of scrollable text areas <divs> with other objects.

It now seems that the correct strategy, for me, is to 1) create a low bandwidth version that is rail-thin, HTML-CSS only, and viewable also by PDA's, mobile phones, etc..., and 2) create a high bandwidth version that is all-out, javascript, Flash, 3d, the whole nine yards. The best of both extremes.

The only common element between the two versions being my never-changing content, which is what it is really all about.

thanks again for the replies, and please expect more questions about various things.

jbonham

 

[Foamcow]

It's off topic, but if you can communicate the information effectively with the low bandwidth version then why do you need the "bells and whistles" version?
More work for no real reason. Why not plumb for the middle ground and make 1 site that works well for everyone and looks nice/is easy to use etc?

Just my 2 cents.

Foamcow Heavy Industries - Web design and ranting
Toccoa Games - Day of Defeat gaming community
Target Marketing Communications - Advertising, Direct Marketing and Public Relations
"I'm making time

 

[ChrisHirst]

there is of course one point to be mentioned that may or may not be important.

Search Engine crawlers don't "do" javascript. So depending on the implementation you may be invisible to the SEs as well.

Some SE friendly popup/dropdown/slide out menus at SEO Consultants



Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?

http://www.candsdesign.co.uk

A website that proves the cobblers kids adage.

http://www.cram-system.com

Nightclub counting systems

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

 

[jbonham]

basically, I am making 2 versions because that is the running theme for my site, illustrating 2 very different ways in everything.

Lots more work, but it is the only way - two ways.

And ChrisHirst, excellent link on the SEO menus. Pure CSS!

Definitely will be implementing that type of menu on my 'high' site.

jbonham

 

[ChrisHirst]

only two ways?

Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?

http://www.candsdesign.co.uk

A website that proves the cobblers kids adage.

http://www.cram-system.com

Nightclub counting systems

So long, and thanks for all the fish.