Frames
Some of the most god-awful sites I’ve ever seen have used
frames. To be fair though, I’ve seen some that used tables that
were just as bad.
Frames require what is called a "Frameset" page. This is the
most important thing. If it’s layed out weird, then the frames
will either A.) Not work at all, or B.) look hideous! The
Frameset page is just what it says, a framework for the rest of
the site. In each section (or Frame) there is a complete
webpage, even if it’s just a graphic. The Frameset page tells
the browser WHERE each of these complete pages goes. So if you
have a page with lots of information crammed into a narrow frame
what you get is frustrating for the visitor at best.
Good rule of thumb… Keep it Simple!!! Some of the most annoying
framed pages I’ve ever seen are ones that have a bazillion
different frames. And when I say a bazillion, I mean anything
over say three, at most four. The human eye can only handle
seeing so many little sections, and especially on the Internet!
When I go to set up a framed page I ask myself a few questions.
1.Is it easy on the eye? In other words, am I dizzy looking at
it. 2.Does it make sense? Is the general layout reasonable.
3.Could the effect I’m trying to achieve be accomplished using
tables instead?
If the answer to the first two questions is yes, then go ahead
and set it up. However, if there is a shred of doubt, try option
Three.
Tables
Tables have their own quirks though. The biggest one that I’ve
seen is the browser compatibility factor. Netscape and IE see
tables very differently. I’ve found that to overcome this
annoying problem to do a blend of the tags that both read.
Basically what tables are is a series of rows and cells that
allow one to neatly organize information and images, rather like
those shadow boxes that you use to display knick-knacks.
When laying out a page using tables, it’s often best to leave
the border on. This gives you a clear view of what exactly is
going on and how it really looks. This includes where the text
sets in a specific cell of a table. Too many times I’ve gone to
a site that’s layed out with tables and found the text running
into itself or overlapping images! A good rule of thumb when
setting text in a table cell is give a cell padding of no less
then 5 pixels.
Frames and tables both should be checked and double checked with
the two most popular browsers. What might look fantastic with
Netscape often times looks like crap in IE, and visa versa,
though Netscape seems to be a bit more forgiving. Especially
tables. Get tables to work right and look right in IE and
Netscape is happy. The only other thing regarding tables and
cross-browser compatibility is the background colors of cells.
Netscape reads background images, IE doesn’t. So be real sure
that whatever background color you set for the table blends well
with the background of the page itself. If your using a plain
colored background this doesn’t present a problem, however, for
those of us that like a textured background, it becomes a MAJOR
issue! Check, check and double check!!! Nothing grosser then to
see your pretty table that looks incredible in Netscape rendered
with some sick color background in IE.
As far as Frames, remember that some older browsers do not
recognize them, so all that work that you put into the building
of the frames could be rendered into a jumble at best. Its
always a good idea to created the site without using frames as
well for those that have older browsers.
Whether you are a fan of frames, or a table lover, or even torn
on the choice of which way to lay out the page, keep in mind a
few things:
1.Keep it simple. 2.Double check everything from general
appearance to colors. 3.Compare IE and Netscape appearance.
4.Have fun!
About the author:
Mary Hickey Graphical Dreams- Fantasy Web Pages, Custom Sets and
Collections. http://graphical_dreams.on-z.net
