Alternatives to navigation frames

[Katherine Kendall]

David Stern wrote:

> One option for banners (or side bars) is tables ... see an example at
>
>   http://www.library.yale.edu/scilib/library.html
>
> Printing and URLs are not affected, and even lynx viewers can deal with
> them ... although the data does show up as a block before the page text.
>
>   David
>

You can also do this as an image map created in a graphics program, but you can't

alter the text without redoing the graphic.  See:

http://www.lightstream.net/mspac/index.html

the advantage is you can make a special font and add graphics if it's not going
to change.
I did all my navigation this way when I first started making pages.  But tables
work well, too
and you can change the graphic/text in the cells whenever you want.  You just
don't get
the spiffy fonts.

Kathy Kendall
Mentor Public Library
Mentor, Ohio
mailto:kk at harborcom.net

> > I've been off the list for a few months, so if this topic has already been
> > beaten to death, my apologies.
> >
> > I'm trying to redesign a site that would include a wisp of a banner
> > identifying the library atop the page and a marginal navigation menu on the
> > left. Nothing inspired, but functional model.
> >
> > I can accomplish this easily enough using frames. Having the banner in its
> > own frame isn't a sine qua non, but I like the idea  of having one menu
> > frame file to edit as need arises. I also like the idea that this menu can
> > be plain text rather than an image-map.
> >
> > These conveniences notwithstanding, I'd prefer to find an alternative to
> > frames for a number of reasons:
> >      1) User confusion with printing
> >      2) My inability to set my content frame as the active frame by default
> >      3) Problems bookmarking individual pages
> >      4) Missing information when a content frame is printed or bookmarked
> >      5) Compatibility problems with older browsers
> >      6) Accessibility issues in general
> >      7) No one seems to like frames
> >
> > I have already considered (and so far rejected) a few alternatives: Footer
> > menus, NetObjects Fusion and its Master Borders, image maps.
> >
> > I'd be much obliged for any and all suggestions.
> >
> > Slainte.
> >
> > Sean E. Crumley <scrumley at erols.com>
> > Library Information Systems
> > District of Columbia Public Library
> >
> > Without Woodie's, Washington would be just another
> > small town surrounded by Bloomingdales.
> >        -Art Buchwald
> >
>
> ***************************************************************
>
>   David Stern
>   Director of Science Libraries and Information Services
>   Kline Science Library
>   Yale University
>   219 Prospect Street
>   P.O. Box 208111
>   New Haven, CT  06520-8111
>
>   phone:  203 432-3447
>   fax: 203 432-3441
>
>   email:  david.e.stern at yale.edu