To frame or not to frame..

[ChrisRChamberlain]

Newbie type question from a newbie.

Assume a web page with a horizontal menu, a vertical menu, a "footer" section with links, physical address etc.

This format would be constant throughout the website.

Ignoring the fact that ideally the current page should not be a menu or link option, what are the arguments for and against in changing the remainder of the page as opposed to providing a complete new page?

HTH

Chris

 

[cian]

Hi,

I have never actually worked with frames, used right I think they look very good and can be very effective on a site. I know a lot of great framed sites.
But:
-with frames you have to load 2-3-4 pages instead of just one (of course this is just first time)
-some browsers dont take frames, do you need to create a no frames version?
-if one of your pages is found through a search engine it may not be framed so the visitor may only get your nav menu or footer or a page with no vanigation or footer etc
- i heard they can be very messy to work with maintain.(?)

Thats about all I can think of now.



É

http://www.endamcg.com/finland-gaa

 

[SashiRaveendran]

If one of the frames in a frameset is in https then the user gets a disturbing message regarding mixed security. Bookmarking pages becomes a nightmare along with printing (as only the active frame will print or be added to favourites). Scripting will become a little more involved if you want dynamic pages and targeting content to specific frames can get messy wth nested frameset, as I have found out from some of the questions posted to this forum. It seems a lot of big companies are dropping support for frames on their intranet sites too, mainly due to security vunerabilities in frame based pages. Dont let this put you off though

 

[Wullie]

LOL...

It's good to see critical comment about frames!!

I personally cannot stand frames unless as Cian mentioned "They are used correctly".

If you are wanting to keep the maintenance of your site down to a minimum and want to remove the problems with frames, you could use SSI to dynamically include the pages from the server. But, to do this you must be able to use SSI on your server.

Hope this helps Wullie

sales@freshlookdesign.co.uk

http://www.freshlookdesign.co.uk

http://www.searchit-now.co.uk

 

[ChrisRChamberlain]

Thanks all for the input.

Having an OOP mindset, I find it difficult to get my head round repetitive code sometimes. HTH

Chris

 

[JavaKat]

Frames are indeed lovely when done right, it's just that doing them "right" tends to turn into a bigger hairball than the irritation of just repeating code.

There are javascript workarounds to ensure that your site is always accessed with frames in place (like from search engines), and you can also make javascript print buttons that will define which frame goes to the printer.

But you know, that's a mess.

I'd reccommend making a template and using .shtml to wrap it around as a server-side include. That way, it keeps our OOP hearts from going into arrest, and avoids the snarl of excessive javascript.

Best of luck with it!

JavaKat

 

[RISTMO]

I'm working with a friend who made his site in frames(the same layout). Things were going ok for awhile, but things are getting really tricky now, frames are causing lots of problems for him(with security stuff) so he might be changing to a non-frames layout. I personally don't like frames, and I found things much nicer when I switched to php includes. I think you could do that and it would probably be better(if you have php access).

Rick If I have helped you just click the first link below to let me know

 

[BobbaFet]

Maybe we should write a FAQ on To Frame or Not To Frame,
topics seems to come up allot. BobbaFet

Everyone has a right to my opinion.
E-mail me at caswegkamp@hotmail.com

http://cwcon.50megs.com/

 

[marcbrown]

If you want a website that sucks the answer is "use frames"
because frames suck.

Pros vs. cons?
There's too many cons to list here...

So, do you want your website to suck?

 

[Wullie]

marcbrown,

As much as I personally hate frames, this is not a constructive comment.

Yes, I hate frames, and anyone on this forum that knows me will tell you that but frames do have there uses.

Personally, I would never use frames unless I was totally stuck and had no other way to turn, but saying "If you want a website that sucks the answer is "use frames"
because frames suck." is a total waste of time.

I am in no way trying to start a flame war, but you should not butt in with comments like that. I realise that you are new to these forums, take a look around, this forum is a place where people are civil to each other and respect each others view, do not attempt to lower that tone...

Hope this helps Wullie

sales@freshlookdesign.co.uk

http://www.freshlookdesign.co.uk

http://www.searchit-now.co.uk

 

[BobbaFet]

Well put Wullie BobbaFet

Everyone has a right to my opinion.
E-mail me at caswegkamp@hotmail.com

http://cwcon.50megs.com/

 

[cian]

Hi Bobbafet, Bobafett

"Maybe we should write a FAQ on To Frame or Not To Frame,
topics seems to come up allot."

Good suggestion! Will you do this??

Btw, I just saw Star Wars recently, hard luck, you'll get em next time!! Just don't lose you head! LOL



É

http://www.endamcg.com/finland-gaa