FP2003 Layer problems.

[R3DL1N3 Enterprises]

My boss asked me to create a website for the company (
www.maxfoxelectrical.com.au ) and the guy who does our IT said to use Layers
as its the easiest way to get thigns positioned exactly where you want them.
I'd never used frontpage or published a website before so I took him at his
word and did the site, and it looks great, as long as it's viewed on the
correct resolution. I have discovered the downfall of absolute positioning
layers.

The website is huge, over 500 pages, and I would like a way of resolving
this problem so that the page appears as it should. Also, is it worth using
frames for my left hand nav bar and my header/top nav?

 

[Jon Spivey]

Hi,
That IT guy should be shot For a layout like that there's no need for
layers atall, they're going to give umpteen problems. Start of with a 1 row
table to hold your logo banners and address, a 1 row table underneath that
for your menu and a 1 row 3 column table for your main content. Stick your
vertical menu in the left column, your news in the right column and your
content in the middle column. Depending on taste you could either make the
table 100%, fix the width of the 2 outer columns and have the main content
expand/contract with the page or make the whole table a fixed width (760px)
and center it on the page.

 

[Murray]

and the guy who does our IT said to use Layers

as its the easiest way to get thigns positioned exactly where you want
them.

This is not good advice. Unfortunately, it's you who is stuck with the
consequences, not your advisor.

as long as it's viewed on the correct resolution.

Resolution is not the issue - it's the width of the browser window that is
the problem (that's the viewport of the browser).

I have discovered the downfall of absolute positioning
layers.

It's ever so much worse than you imagine. Please read this page -

http://www.great-web-sights.com/g_layerlaws.asp

Note that you have run afoul of several of the problems listed there, like
using 'layers' for text content on the page, and like putting 'layers'
within table cells -

Also, is it worth using
frames for my left hand nav bar and my header/top nav?

That would definitely be jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Frames
are rarely the optimal choice *especially* if this line is accurate -

I'd never used frontpage or published a website before

I would like a way of resolving
this problem so that the page appears as it should

Unfortunately, once you have committed to using absolutely positioned
elements on a page with flexible tables, as you have, there's not a good way
to back out of it. And if you have 500 pages to worry about, well, I think
you need to roll up your sleeves.

Make sure you also read this page about tables and merging and splitting
cells -

http://apptools.com/rants/spans.php

 

[R3DL1N3 Enterprises]

Well I've read both those and I have to say that i wish i had stuck with just
pluggin away in notepad as I was. Now I get to spend the next few months
fixing it.

I've been looking at CSS as I've heard it's a good way to go...any truth or
is learning it more hassle than it's worth?

If not, should I continue to use frontpage or go back to using notepad? If I
stay with frontpage, how do I proceed to re-do the website page by painful
page to achieve the same look as what I had?

And I did notice that I've used a few of the layer no-no's as well. Much
frustration I'm feelig right now.

 

[Ronx]

CSS is worth all the hassle it takes to learn, and more.

I would stick to FrontPage - even if you work in Code View it is, IMO, less
work than Notepad.

 

[Murray]

I've been looking at CSS as I've heard it's a good way to go...any truth

or
is learning it more hassle than it's worth?

It's exceptionally good advice.

And I did notice that I've used a few of the layer no-no's as well. Much
frustration I'm feelig right now.

We feel your pain. It's unfortunate that you were led down this dark
alley....

If not, should I continue to use frontpage or go back to using notepad? If
I
stay with frontpage, how do I proceed to re-do the website page by painful
page to achieve the same look as what I had?

Unless you are a very fast typer, and a very accomplished coder, I believe
that you should stick with FP. Even without using any of the 'special'
features of FP, the code assist is still very strong.

 

[R3DL1N3 Enterprises]

Ok, so I should stick with FP to use the coding assist, and I should take the
time to learn CSS? I've read through a couple of tutorials on it over the
last couple of days and Im still nto sure where to start.

 

[Murray]

Start here -

http://www.projectseven.com/tutorials/css/qdmacfly/index.htm
http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/mx/dreamweaver/css.html
http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/dreamweaver/articles/tableless_layout_dw8.html
http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/dreamweaver/articles/css_concepts.html

 

[R3DL1N3 Enterprises]

Thanks heaps, I'll check them out and see how I go.