CSS aka Dynamic Content

[PhillipBTempReg]

Here is my web page -> Http://www2.iwvisp.com/jeepin/
I would like to get rid of the frames, and am currently looking for a way that I can change the navagation content for every page (more than 50+ pages) through the use of Cascading Style Sheets. My friend said that I could, but I have yet figured out how. CSS appears to be use only for dynamic page "themes or styles", not content. Is there a way to dynamically change content using 1 central file?

[PhillipB]

Had to let you know that I did register, was waiting on a slow mail server. Gotta a nother question for ya though, what is used to run this Forum? the Pirates of the Rubicon (http://www.pirate4x4.com) also has a forum that looks like this. I like it.

[jalouda]

hi phillip,
css is only useful for controlling layout. i think what you need to use is server side includes (SSI). SSI is useful for lots of things and can be used to control areas of content from one central file, just like you want. As far as I know the basic idea is that eg you create a navigation list in a file called navmenu.html. Then whenever you want your navigation list included in a page you simply use the command:

<!--#include file="/navmenu.html"-->

If you decide to change your navigation list, you just edit the file navmenu.html and the navigation list will be automatically changed everywhere!

However, unfortunately not all website hosts (particularly free ones) support SSI, so this option may not be available to you.

I know practically nothing about this area myself, so even the few details listed above could be slightly wrong. Here is a link to the SSI category at google where you should find a few tutorials to start you off: http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Programming/Internet/SSI/

Best of luck,
Jalouda http://jalouda.homepage.com

[PhillipB]

Thank you so much! What, in your humble opinion do you prefer? Frames, or non-frames?

[Owen_MC_Evans]

I would always suggest that you refrain from using frames (that sort of rhymes!) as they can become cluttered and also when a user follows a link which you have forgotent to target a _parent they will have to see the site through your frame set.
Also frames are highly unreliable as different browsers/monitors and operating systems interpret them differently.
Owen

[Jason]

Phil,

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[jalouda]

i am glad i was able to help a little phillip http://talkboard.123webmaster.com/ubbhtml/smile.gif
to frame or not to frame? personally, i agree with owen. i played around with frames a little myself but soon realised that the potential hassle just wasn't worth it.
for those who want a frame containing fixed information (say the site navigation system), while leaving the rest of the screen free to display various pages, frames can be a good thing. but you have to remember that if people don't enter your site via the home page and access a sub page directly instead, they could see an unframed version of your site without any means of navigation!
also, the whole thing can start to get very complicated and frames look pretty ugly for those with small resolutions if scrollbars etc are needed.
i don't hate frames with a vengeance but i tend to give them a miss when creating pages.

jalouda. http://jalouda.homepage.com

[PhillipB]

http://www2.iwvisp.com/jeepin/desert.htm

Here is my experimental file. The navigation page is also on teh same level as this file, so I tried the code as you typed it, then I tried using the whole URL http://www2.iwvisp.com/jeepin/navbar.htm but it didn't work HELP!?!?!?!?

[Owen_MC_Evans]

Depending on your server to use server side includes on your page you may have to rename it useing a .shtm or .shtml file name instead of the .htm or .html. Also it could be the case that SSI is not supported buy the server (check your hosts documentation)
Owen