Frames_and_Tables

Frames and Tables 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