What Do I Do?????

[Kevinnaia]

What do I do, make a page with frames, or make two (maybe more in the future) sets of codes (DCElliot suggested this to me)?

DC said it should be like this:

You need to navigate. So start to think of a menu:

HOME
PAGE A
PAGE B

The menu is in its own box with the page content on the right.

Each page gets the same menu, but the content is different.


code:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

________ Home
HOME |
PAGE A | Home Page Stuff
PAGE B |

========================================end

________ Page A
HOME |
PAGE A | Page A Stuff
PAGE B |

========================================end

________ Page B
HOME |
PAGE A | Page B Stuff
PAGE B |

========================================end

[animgirl]

Ummm, listen to DC.
Is that the answer you were looking for? :(

[cbkihong]

If your web host supports some sort of SSI, you can then separate the content and the site template so that you don't need to modify multiple files just to change the site layout.

[ByteWizard]

Look at www.glish.com . There are excellent examples of two column pages. Left column is the menu for navigation and the right col is the content.

Think about this.... You now have two pages. You might cram it onto one with frames, but what happens when it grows to 3, or 4. Also, different subjects, different page.

[DCElliott]

Kevin - I never meant for you to think of frames. Frames are attractive to beginners because you can create one menu to control multiple pages. Unfortunately, it isn't worth it in the long run.

My suggestion was to build your page around a simple navigation menu that would be identical on all pages. The only thing that would be different would be the filename of the page, the page title, and the content in the main section.

The structure of the pages would be identical.

[ByteWizard]

The only slight modification to all the good advice here is that I make my menus ALMOST the same on every page. The slight change is that I remove the link to the current page from the menu. I just think this is the professional way to do it.

For example the menu on the home page would not contain a link to the home page... the menu on Page A would have a link to the home page but not to Page A.

[DCElliott]

ByteWiz has a good point there. The alternative I prefer, though, is to have a style for the link of the current page:a.thispage {color:red;}
--------------------
and in the html, imagining you were on Page 1:

<a href="home.html">home</a><br />
<a class="thispage" href="page1.html">Page 1</a><br />
<a href="page2.html">Page 2</a><br />

A useful resource that takes you step-by-step through building a CSS layout is here (http://css.nu/articles/floating-boxes.html).

[MikeParent]

I nearly always put the nav in using a server-side include...

[DCElliott]

The context of the thread is creating a site for a 12 year old to post "cheat codes" of a number of games.

SSI will come next week. :p

[MikeParent]

Oopsy - so sorry...

[Kevinnaia]

That's Fine Guys! You have all helped me, and I will use the two sets of codes as soon as I finish my business: KBC Web Desgin (http://www.kbcwebdesign.netfirms.com) or you can go to KBC Web Design (http://www.hostultra.com/~kbcwebdesign) . There is also a forum: Forum (http://kbcwd.hyperboards.com) I didn't add a link to the forum yet, because I want to make the link with those buttons. I will finish it when I get some time away from school... HOMEWORK!!!:grrrr:

It is the same site, just two different hosting companies.

[Zero Angel]

Ah, your own webdesign company. Very neat!.

I suggest you invest in a paid server and register a domain name. The netfirms domain and ads are a little bit unprofessional. Once you have that, you're ready to roll :)

Anyways, best of luck with your business.
~Zero Angel

PS: I like the part about 'customer parking' ;)

[Kevinnaia]

Yeah, if my business ever gets any requests I will buy a domain name. I will use Hostultra, since they support PHP and MySQL. They also changed their *custom 404 Error pages*. They also host *UNLIMITED DOMAINS and UNLIMITED SUBDOMAINS* with their free plan. I will eventually turn the site into PHP so I can have a login box for the people who have used my company. They will get *special offers* that are only allowed to former customers.

I am running my business out of my house, so that is the only place for parking.:D

[animgirl]

Hey,

I really don't want to take away the spotlight or change the subject, but I also have a business, but have been hmmm... embarrased to say so!! 'Cause what I considered web design was flash, which I have come to realize nearly a year later sucks all by itself, so I took the HTML plunge, where my rep took a dive because I did not know squat!! Mine is also run out of my house also.

Anywho, I wish you luck and prosperity with your business, Kevin!

[Zero Angel]

Flash != Web design. Flash is for the weak. ;)

Actually, fully flash sites are often devoid of real information hence the name 'flash'. Its great that you're learning HTML the right way, (DCElliot is doing a good job of training you in the dark arts) and from what i've seen you've really improved. You should be ready to churn out some professional quality HTML sites by now, considering that you already have a good design sense and now know how to implement it.

Good luck with your business as well.

[Kevinnaia]

Thanks, I will need it! Next I will move to PHP, I've been learning some in my spare time, but David Binbel says "Learn HTML and CSS first, then learn Javascript and 1 year after that you can learn PHP."

PHP IS COOL!!!!!:D

[ByteWizard]

Pay attention in English class! No one will take you seriously if your "business web site" if full of incomplete sentences, misspelled words, and general poor english. Please take this the right way as this is not a pot-shot, just an observation from someone who has been in the business world for some time.

I would think twice before associating myself with Host Ultra. To demonstrate what I mean click on this URL

http://www.hostultra.com/~kcbwebdesign

Notice that I just slightly typed in your URL WRONG. This is the treatment you will get for every incorrect URL.

I asked them a direct question about their specific 404 pages on their forum (namely the porn ads). They deleted my question unanswered.

I would try to get some sold web site designs coded entirely by Kevin under my belt before embarking on the business venture. Offer to code web pages for some of your school mates or school organizations (for free), just to get the experience.

[ByteWizard]

If you want a legitimate web address, go to this site to register your domain (http://www.godaddy.com) . Not only are they among the least expensive, but one of the best of the new breed. $8.95 to register a domain.

Now you have a domain, where are you going to park it? POWWEB (http://www.powweb.com) is $7.77 a month and have been reliable for me for some of my clients.

Don't ever consider trying to do web sites for pay until you have a quality site up and running under your own domain. It should contain some examples of your work and links to current customers. How do I get current customers? You do them for FREE for the experience and exposure. School clubs, etc.

My advice... Practice for a few years and then start your own business.

[Kevinnaia]

David, I ment to have a link to my site in their, but I messed up when writing it, hit save, and now I can't change my profile!!!:mad:

[animgirl]

Go to user CP at the upper left of this page. That's where you can change everything.

BTW; Happy Birthday Kevin :D

[Kevinnaia]

Thanks!, but I already tried that and it still dosen't work!

[animgirl]

What do you see or what message do you get to indicate that it doesn't work? I believe you but I'm wondering...

[Kevinnaia]

1/3 of my profile shows up, and I can change that part, but I can't save it!

I think I messed it up by trying to put HTML into it, when HTML coding was off.

[animgirl]

Well, sounds like a DB thing to me...

[Kevinnaia]

Whatever, it's all messed up!!!

[Kevinnaia]

No you didn't do it David, I DID! (I THINK)

[dreuby]

Originally posted by ByteWizard
Now you have a domain, where are you going to park it? POWWEB (http://www.powweb.com) is $7.77 a month and have been reliable for me for some of my clients.


What exactly IS domain parking?

[animgirl]

When you buy a domain name, it's just a name, it doesn't include web space. So, after you buy a domain name, you buy web space, connect the two and it can be used.

You have to "park" your domain name somewhere with some space so that it can be used.