T
Tom Miller
It seems to me that you can build "standards-based websites" with FrontPage
2002 (which is what I am using). I have searched the Google newsgroup
archive on this newsgroup for this topic. It doesn't seem like it has been
addressed under this subject heading. It certainly could have been
addressed under another heading. If so, please point me to it.
I just got done reading the Expressions paper of a compare/contrast of what
Expressions is supposed to do from the ground up. It seems like a lot of it
revolves around "standards-based websites." I just got done watching a
webcast on multi-media using FP2003 where some features that are built-in to
FP2003 make me seriously jealous but.... I own 2002 so that is what I am
working with.
It seems to me that you can make FP2002 create standards-based markup
(websites) by some simple decisions.
Decision 1:
Under Tools->Compatibility
Browers: Both Internet Explore and Navigator
Browser Version: Custom
Servers: Custom
Uncheck:
Enabled with Microsoft FrontPage Server Extensions
ActiveX controls
VbScript
Java applets
VML graphics
Check
JavaScript
Dynamic Html
Frames
CSS 1.0
CSS 2.0
----------------------------------------------------
I am not sure if the HTML tab can be used to increase XHTML compatibility or
not. You can choose to "preserve" html (roundtriping?) or have it reformat
the code in certain specific ways (eg. lowercase etc). Since XHTML
apparently always requires a closing tag and the box doesn't always allow
that I am uncertain which way makes more sense.
---------------------------------------------------------
Decision 2:
Don't use the Themes function of FP. Apparently themes use "proprietary
code."
So what are you going to use instead? Several things.
You need to use a template page that is linked to an external cascading
styles sheet file. You can create both of these in FP. The CSS file can
both set and point to background graphics, background colors, borders and so
on to allow you to get similar results to a theme.
A review of FP inside/out version 2002 appears to indicate you don't need to
do all the CSS coding by hand. Much of it can be done directly or
indirectly through FP. You can also use an "add-on CSS editor."
If there is a way to setup a master template like Power Point or Visual
Studio/Asp .net in FP I have missed it. Is there? It would be a lot easier
if there was. Then you can make global changes in the master page and the
CCS page and the entire website could look different.
Given how much flexibility "the zen of css design" shows, it looks like the
majority of changes would be via CSS unless wanted to simply change content.
What is unclear about "the zen of css design" is how much of it is "graphics
files."
CSS 2.0 supports positioning columns without using tables. I am not certain
how easy that is going to be in FP2002 but that is the goal.
What about Navigation components? There are at least 3 ways you can replace
FP navigation buttons. 1) Use straight hyperlinks with the "rollover"
effect enabled through CSS. 2) Use html/form buttons with JavaScript. 3a)
Buy a "widgets" package from a FP vendor that provides insertable buttons
and menu items. 3b) Upgrade to FP2003 where they are builtin. If possible
you want to include these navigation items in your template or master page.
Apparently the design-time "insert a code" component is not FPSE dependent
so you can use it to insert standard items (like a footer) on your pages.
If we can get a good discussion organized on this thread I would dearly love
to have it edited into a FAQ for FP.
Thanks,
Tom Miller, Hobbyist
2002 (which is what I am using). I have searched the Google newsgroup
archive on this newsgroup for this topic. It doesn't seem like it has been
addressed under this subject heading. It certainly could have been
addressed under another heading. If so, please point me to it.
I just got done reading the Expressions paper of a compare/contrast of what
Expressions is supposed to do from the ground up. It seems like a lot of it
revolves around "standards-based websites." I just got done watching a
webcast on multi-media using FP2003 where some features that are built-in to
FP2003 make me seriously jealous but.... I own 2002 so that is what I am
working with.
It seems to me that you can make FP2002 create standards-based markup
(websites) by some simple decisions.
Decision 1:
Under Tools->Compatibility
Browers: Both Internet Explore and Navigator
Browser Version: Custom
Servers: Custom
Uncheck:
Enabled with Microsoft FrontPage Server Extensions
ActiveX controls
VbScript
Java applets
VML graphics
Check
JavaScript
Dynamic Html
Frames
CSS 1.0
CSS 2.0
----------------------------------------------------
I am not sure if the HTML tab can be used to increase XHTML compatibility or
not. You can choose to "preserve" html (roundtriping?) or have it reformat
the code in certain specific ways (eg. lowercase etc). Since XHTML
apparently always requires a closing tag and the box doesn't always allow
that I am uncertain which way makes more sense.
---------------------------------------------------------
Decision 2:
Don't use the Themes function of FP. Apparently themes use "proprietary
code."
So what are you going to use instead? Several things.
You need to use a template page that is linked to an external cascading
styles sheet file. You can create both of these in FP. The CSS file can
both set and point to background graphics, background colors, borders and so
on to allow you to get similar results to a theme.
A review of FP inside/out version 2002 appears to indicate you don't need to
do all the CSS coding by hand. Much of it can be done directly or
indirectly through FP. You can also use an "add-on CSS editor."
If there is a way to setup a master template like Power Point or Visual
Studio/Asp .net in FP I have missed it. Is there? It would be a lot easier
if there was. Then you can make global changes in the master page and the
CCS page and the entire website could look different.
Given how much flexibility "the zen of css design" shows, it looks like the
majority of changes would be via CSS unless wanted to simply change content.
What is unclear about "the zen of css design" is how much of it is "graphics
files."
CSS 2.0 supports positioning columns without using tables. I am not certain
how easy that is going to be in FP2002 but that is the goal.
What about Navigation components? There are at least 3 ways you can replace
FP navigation buttons. 1) Use straight hyperlinks with the "rollover"
effect enabled through CSS. 2) Use html/form buttons with JavaScript. 3a)
Buy a "widgets" package from a FP vendor that provides insertable buttons
and menu items. 3b) Upgrade to FP2003 where they are builtin. If possible
you want to include these navigation items in your template or master page.
Apparently the design-time "insert a code" component is not FPSE dependent
so you can use it to insert standard items (like a footer) on your pages.
If we can get a good discussion organized on this thread I would dearly love
to have it edited into a FAQ for FP.
Thanks,
Tom Miller, Hobbyist