Automatic sidebars?

[King_Critter]

Ok, here's the deal. I have a website, and until now I've used tables for the layout... But I have seen the light, and decided to switch to CSS. :P
Now, my question is: can I, somehow, easily modify the sidebars on my web site? 'Cause even though external Style Sheets save a lot of time, I still have to go through each HTML page to change the navigation sidebar. So is there a way to easily change 'em? Because I know I could use frames, but I don't wanna cause I think frames look stupid. >.<

[AJ]

Short of dynamic programming..

I guess you could play with SSI in apache or similiar.

[Markpyro]

Unless you know Javascript or a server side language, I dont know of any way to use a seperate file to include information. A frame with no border, maybe?

http://pyrom.net/sigs/manual/hr.png

http://pyrom.net/sigs/manual/sigimage.png
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http://pyrom.net/test/blameclick.png (http://pyrom.net/test/blame.php)

[King_Critter]

Hmm... I was afraid I'd have to get into server languages. :rolleyes:
Is that basicly what you were saying to, A.J.? Cause I really have no clue what you just said... Newb here. :P

So, can you recomend a Server Side language to start out with, language to start out with, Markpyro? Cause I know absolutly NOTHING about them.

Thanks, though! ^_^

[Modred]

You don't need to know a server-side scripting language to use server-side includes (SSI). All you need is for the server hosting your web page to allow SSI. You could then include the menu in your pages with something akin to the following:

<!--#include file="menu.htm"-->

Given that "menu.htm" is the name of the document with your navigation in it. If your server allows SSI, you can then simply change menu.htm and all of your pages will reflect the change. You might try looking through documentation from your host or shoot them an email to see if you are allowed to use SSI and how.

[Markpyro]

PHP is fun, but I have heard good things about Ruby, if you're still interested :P

http://pyrom.net/sigs/manual/hr.png

http://pyrom.net/sigs/manual/sigimage.png
*http://pyrom.net/test/blamecountimage.php*http://pyrom.net/test/lastblameimage.php*
http://pyrom.net/test/blameclick.png (http://pyrom.net/test/blame.php)

[King_Critter]

You don't need to know a server-side scripting language to use server-side includes (SSI). All you need is for the server hosting your web page to allow SSI. You could then include the menu in your pages with something akin to the following:

<!--#include file="menu.htm"-->

Given that "menu.htm" is the name of the document with your navigation in it. If your server allows SSI, you can then simply change menu.htm and all of your pages will reflect the change. You might try looking through documentation from your host or shoot them an email to see if you are allowed to use SSI and how.


Ooh, that sounds perfect! ^_^ I'll go see if freewebs can do that...

It can! Yay! :P Thank you, Modred!


PHP is fun, but I have heard good things about Ruby, if you're still interested :P



Ruby... Well, I'll google it and see what I find. ;)

[Jeff]

PHP is the way to go I think. Most (paid) hosts support it, and there's tons of free scripts already out there if you decide to add more dynamic content in the future. Ruby isn't as widely used. If FreeWebs only supports SSI, then I guess you don't have much of a choice, but it will work fine for a simple include like a menu or a header/footer file.

[hammocksleeper]

i would suggest doing what aj says, dynamic programming (i.e., php). the ssi thing might work too, i don't really know anything about that.

[raylu]

There is also a way to do this client-side with JavaScript.

[Sikawtic]

Um.... tables are awesome.

I <3 CSS... but use tables all the time.

In fact with CSS tables become even more functional...

in response to:
and until now I've used tables for the layout... But I have seen the light, and decided to switch to CSS.

[Modred]

Um.... tables are awesome.

I <3 CSS... but use tables all the time.

In fact with CSS tables become even more functional...

in response to:

Does your website contain solely table data? Assuming no, why are you putting everything into tables? It doesn't make logical sense. =p