Frames

[Guest]

I want to create a frame-set within a page. In other words, I would like to
have a background page and then place 3 frames within that page. What the
viewer will see then is basically a "wallpapper" and the 3 frames will have
the content and links of my site.
Currently, I only know how to make an entire page with 3 frames that take up
the entire window and does not show a background, but this is not what I want.
I'm using FP 2003. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Trevor L.]

I set up my site like this

<frameset rows="80,*">
<noframes>
To view this document, you need a frames-compatible browser
such as Netscape 2.0 and above.
</noframes>
<frame src="heading.html" name="heading" scrolling="no"
noresize="noresize">
<frameset cols="132,*">
<frame src="sidebar.html" name="sidebar" scrolling="no"
noresize="noresize" target="index_main">
<frame src="index_main.html" name="index_main" scrolling="yes"
noresize="noresize" target="_top">
</frameset>
</frameset>

But I only put the background on "index_main"

Why not add some CSS
body { background: url("images/display/04-08-24-1-bird-bath.jpg")
repeat fixed;}

Choose your own jpg as background. The repeat parameter can be altered to
'repeat' or 'norepeat' (without the quotes) if you want.

 

[Thomas A. Rowe]

A frameset can not be inserted into another page directly. You could insert a page with a frameset
into another page via the IFrame, but your site visitors will have problem printing or bookmarking
the content, etc.

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[Murray]

You and your visitors will like your site much better without frames.

The reason for using or not using frames should be based on a) your site's
needs, and b) your willingness to accept the potential problems that frames
can create for you as developer and maintainer of the site and for your
visitors as casual users of the site.

I am down on frames because I believe that they create many more problems
than they solve.
Judging from the posts here, and the kinds of problems that are described,
the kind of person most likely to elect to use frames is also the kind of
person most likely ill-prepared fo solve the ensuing problems when they
arise. If you feel a) that you understand the problems and b) that you are
prepared to handle them when they occur, and c) that you have a need to use
frames, then by all means use them.

As far as I know, the most comprehensive discussions of frames and their
potential problems can be found on these two links -

http://apptools.com/rants/framesevil.php
http://www.tjkdesign.com/articles/frames/

 

[Trevor L.]

Murray,
I have read your answers many times and sometimes they are to my questions.

I realise that your post here is a standard reply (or template) that you
post for this type of query

I still use frames for my family website and I wonder:
In response to para 3. (although your post was not addressed to me)
a) What are the problems ?
I know there is something about search engines not being able to find lower
level pages, but it is really only my top level that needs to be found, so
far as I am concerned. BTW, I redirect all lower pages to my main page
(index.html)
b) I am willing to handle them (if I know what they are and can code around
them - as a retired programmer, I am not scared of this)
c) Do you think that frames are OK for my site?

 

[Murray]

I still use frames for my family website

I know. And I wonder every time I go there why you do.

a) What are the problems ?

Read the two links in my standard response. You'll see what they all are.

I know there is something about search engines not being able to find
lower level pages,

This is not one of them. If there is a link to a page within the link tree
of your site, spiders will find it (this, in fact, is the problem! The
spiders *DO* find every page, and rank them.). I'm afraid you are in urban
legend territory here.

BTW, I redirect all lower pages to my main page (index.html)

Which is a good way to get in trouble with spiders - if they don't like
anything, it's redirection.

c) Do you think that frames are OK for my site?

Frames are rarely the optimal choice for any ordinary site.