Hi Pam,
That wasn't a suggestion, just an alternative.
As a programmer, I often have to sit down and work out the specific
requirements of an application. As a web developer, you are going through
this same process. This is an important part of any development process, and
if you spend some time on this up front, as you are doing, and plan
carefully, your end result will be much better overall. It will cost you
less (in money and/or time - read "resources") to develop, the end product
will have fewer issues ("bugs" etc), and the end product will be more
consistent throughout and more likely to be a success.
Part of this process, which often involves the client, the boss, or, if
you're doing it for yourself, just you, is to examine the possible solutions
for individual elements of the project, such as, in your case, how the
navigation is structured. Solutions come in all shapes and sizes, and there
are any number of criteria to consider when looking at them. The client will
want the best possible solution for each aspect of the project. Generally,
the better the solution, the more it will cost, in terms of resources (time
and/or money).
So, part of the decision-making process is to weigh the benefits of various
solutions against the cost of those solutions, and to come up with the best
possible compromise between the ideal (the best that can be achieved
regardless of the cost), and the available resources for meeting those
requirements.
When evaluating resources, one must take into consideration the skill level
of the personnel involved. A person with a lower skill level can certainly
raise their skill level when needed, but this entails a certain expenditure
of resources in itself to accomplish. A person of higher skill can
accomplish more in less time, without the additional expenditure of
resources to raise her skill level.
Since resources are limited, it is important to take an inventory of those
resources, and use that inventory in calculating the best possible solution.
Now, I don't know you, I don't know your skill level, I don't know all of
your requirements, and I don't know how much time you have to complete this
project. So, only you can estimate your total resource expenditure for using
any solution available. I do hope, however, that by providing the
information I have been providing, you will be able to make that
determination for yourself.
Whatever I *can* do to assist you, I am happy to do so!
--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
..Net Developer
Who is Mighty Abbott?
A twin turret scalawag.
