shared borders vs dynamic web templates

[PCTII]

I notice that most every time someone asks if FP 2003 allows the continued
use of shared borders that part of the response is that dynamic web
templates are a superior technology.
The changes in FP 2003 are so confusing to me that I have ordered the
inside-out book, but I remained confused why the navigation system of a
complex web which depends on shared borders should be changed to dynamic web
templates. I am talking about not only all the work involved, but whether it
would be use in my case.
The primary webs I work with are www.pctii.org and www.sps-usa.org both of
which are non-profit sites.

 

[Cowboy \(Gregory A. Beamer\)]

When you edit a template, the program works harder to update all pages using
the template, but it does not place any work on the page when a person
requests it from the server. This is the point in time when errors are more
likely. The main reason for switching is to get away from potential errors,
especially when there is no other "functionality" in the page.

A second reason is the dynamic template idea is rather standard, as other
editors use the same methodology. A third is the look of the entire page can
be updated at one time, rather than pieces held in (potentially) multiple
shared borders.

Yes, it can get a bit confusing, but you will now be able to change the
complete look of a site without editing a bunch of files. For those who do
not change their look, this may be a pain.

Now, looking at your sites, I am not sure that the changes will help ... at
least not in the immediate future. But, I think you will find that they are
a great addition over time.

Hope this helps some.

--
Gregory A. Beamer
MVP; MCP: +I, SE, SD, DBA

**********************************************************************
Think Outside the Box!
**********************************************************************

 

[Jim Buyens]

-----Original Message-----
I notice that most every time someone asks if FP 2003
allows the continued use of shared borders that part of
the response is that dynamic web templates are a superior
technology.
The changes in FP 2003 are so confusing to me that I have
ordered the inside-out book,

Bless you. They also make great gifts for weddings,
birthdays, baby showers, coach soakings, and Halloween
bags.

but I remained confused why the navigation system of a
complex web which depends on shared borders should be
changed to dynamic web templates. I am talking about not
only all the work involved, but whether it would be use
in my case. The primary webs I work with are
www.pctii.org and www.sps-usa.org both of which are non-
profit sites.

The navigation system depends, if anything, on Navigation
view and Link Bars, and not on Shared Borders. You can use
DTW's to put a link bar on each page almost as easily as
you can using shared borders.

However, if you're happy with shared borders and don't
need the extra flexibility of DWT's, then I guess there's
no reason to switch.

Jim Buyens
Microsoft FrontPage MVP
http://www.interlacken.com
Author of:
*------------------------------------------------------*
|\----------------------------------------------------/|
|| Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003 Inside Out ||
|| Microsoft FrontPage Version 2002 Inside Out ||
|| Web Database Development Step by Step .NET Edition ||
|| Troubleshooting Microsoft FrontPage 2002 ||
|| Faster Smarter Beginning Programming ||
|| (All from Microsoft Press) ||
|/----------------------------------------------------\|
*------------------------------------------------------*

 

[SPS]

Thanks for these helpful responses.