hyperlink to frameset

[C.M.G.]

winXP sp2, frontpage 2003 sp1

When inserting a hyperlink, is it possible to have that hyperlink refer to a
frameset, rather than an individual page? I have tried to have the hyperlink
refer to an internet shortcut, but I get an unexpected result: the hyperlink
points toward the desktop.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Clem.

 

[Murray]

Sure, the hyperlink can point to a frameset. After all, a frameset file is
just another HTML file. Just make sure that this frameset is within your
current site (you can also point at one on another web somewhere, but you
would have to use an absolute link then). It cannot point at a shortcut
because that shortcut is only a file (probably on your desktop).

 

[C.M.G.]

Murray,

Thanks for your quick reply.

How do I specify (in my hyperlink) *which* subpages should be shown within
the frame?

Clem.

 

[Murray]

Ahh , well now - that's a horse of a different color.

The easy way would be to create a NEW frameset containing exactly the frames
you want, save it, and link to that one. However, if you are going to want
to do this often to a variety of differently populated frames, then ...
welll ... welcome to frameset hell. You will have just embarked on the
slippery slope of tedious workaround after tedious workaround, and you will
soon discover why people say not to use frames.

The only way to do the latter operation would be to append the name of the
frame you want to load and the source of that frame in the link itself,
e.g.,

<a href="frameset.html?framename&sourcename"

and then to have some custom javascript in the head of the frameset file
that can parse the reference from the incoming link, and properly populate
the desired frame.

I'm pretty sure that you could find the proper syntax and code using a
Google query.

Now I have to take a shower.... 8)

 

[C.M.G.]

Murray:

You are correct. The java script exists. But I found another way: the
internet shortcut (url) specifies the whole frameset. I have a link pointing
to the shortcut, and iexplorer then prompts "save or open." If I open, the
correct frameset opens. Alternatively, I can save the shortcut to my desktop
and double click it.

It would be nice if there were some syntax specifying the frame *and*
subpages in the hyperlink itself, so I would not have to point to the
tedious url.

Thanks,

Clem.

 

[Murray]

Clem:

I'm glad you were able to find an acceptable solution. Watch out for that
slippery slope!