Drop Down Menus & Frames

Is there a way to make the drop down menus overlap frames rather than cut off
at the edge of the frame it is in? I've seen some java script sites that want
$250 for the source code for this. Is it THAT hard? Is there a way to do this
in Dreamweaver?

There is no practical way to make a layer (that's how drop-down menus work)
cross the boundary between two separate frames (i.e., two unique HTML
pages).

It is true. Your choices are limited now -

1. DUMP THE FRAMES - you would not be having this problem in a non-framed
site.
2. Redesign your menus so that they do not need to span a frame boundary.
3. Redesign the frameset so that you leave enough room for the largest
popup.
4. Move the layer code for the popups from the page in the navigation frame
to each page in the content frame.
5. DUMP THE FRAMES - you would not be having this problem in a non-framed
site.

I recommend either #1 or #5, depending on what your needs are. You just
have no idea the horrors that await you if you continue with the frames.....
8)

The reason for using or not using frames should be based on a) your site's
needs, and b) your willingness to accept the potential problems that frames
can create for you as developer and maintainer of the site and for your
visitors as casual users of the site.

I am down on frames because I believe that they create many more problems
than they solve.
Judging from the posts here, and the kinds of problems that are described,
the kind of person most likely to elect to use frames is also the kind of
person most likely ill-prepared fo solve the ensuing problems when they
arise. If you feel a) that you understand the problems and b) that you are
prepared to handle them when they occur, and c) that you have a need to use
frames, then by all means use them.

As far as I know, the most comprehensive discussions of frames and their
potential problems can be found on these two links -

http://apptools.com/rants/framesevil.php
http://www.tjkdesign.com/resources/frames/

And depending on which drop-down menu you have chosen, you might need to get
rid of it, too!

--
Murray --- ICQ 71997575
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Dreamweaver
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
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"jgstang" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote

Is there a way to make the drop down menus overlap frames rather than cut
off
at the edge of the frame it is in? I've seen some java script sites that
want
$250 for the source code for this. Is it THAT hard? Is there a way to do
this
in Dreamweaver?

sites that want $250 for the source code for this. Is it THAT hard?

I guess you're thinking about #4 (Murray's post).
My advice would be to seriously reconsider this option. Implementing such
solution is - IMHO - one of the worst mistake a web designer can make.

Thierry

jgstang wrote:

Is there a way to make the drop down menus overlap frames rather than
cut off at the edge of the frame it is in? I've seen some java script
sites that want $250 for the source code for this. Is it THAT hard?
Is there a way to do this in Dreamweaver?

Thierry:

Where would that be? I've certainly never seen such a <cough> rip off.

--
Murray --- ICQ 71997575
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Dreamweaver
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
==================
http://www.dreamweavermx-templates.com - Template Triage!
http://www.projectseven.com/go - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
http://www.dwfaq.com - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
http://www.macromedia.com/support/search/ - Macromedia (MM) Technotes
==================

"Thierry Koblentz" <thierry (AT) 212utah (DOT) invalid> wrote

sites that want $250 for the source code for this. Is it THAT hard?

I guess you're thinking about #4 (Murray's post).
My advice would be to seriously reconsider this option. Implementing such
solution is - IMHO - one of the worst mistake a web designer can make.

Thierry

jgstang wrote:
Is there a way to make the drop down menus overlap frames rather than
cut off at the edge of the frame it is in? I've seen some java script
sites that want $250 for the source code for this. Is it THAT hard?
Is there a way to do this in Dreamweaver?

Where would that be? I've certainly never seen such a <cough> rip
off.

I'm curious too.
I hope that for $250 the developer sends to his/her customers the script on
a CD in a *nice* box and also postcards for Xmas

Thierry

Murray *TMM* wrote:

Thierry:

Where would that be? I've certainly never seen such a <cough> rip
off.

jgstang wrote:

Is there a way to make the drop down menus overlap frames rather than cut off
at the edge of the frame it is in? I've seen some java script sites that want
$250 for the source code for this. Is it THAT hard? Is there a way to do this
in Dreamweaver?

If you are forced to use frames, here is the solution

http://ranjan.ws/scripts/main.htm

The above menu uses persistant layers
(http://www.flevooware.nl/dreamweaver/) by Marja and Dreamweaver Show
Hide Behavior.

Good Luck

Ranjan
www.dreamlettes.net

ranjan:

It's a ton of code, however, to solve a problem that wouldn't be a problem
on a flat page.

I don't think anyone is ever forced to use frames....

--
Murray --- ICQ 71997575
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Dreamweaver
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
==================
http://www.dreamweavermx-templates.com - Template Triage!
http://www.projectseven.com/go - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
http://www.dwfaq.com - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
http://www.macromedia.com/support/search/ - Macromedia (MM) Technotes
==================

"ranjan" <ranjan (AT) NOSPAMdreamlettes (DOT) net> wrote

jgstang wrote:
Is there a way to make the drop down menus overlap frames rather than
cut off
at the edge of the frame it is in? I've seen some java script sites that
want
$250 for the source code for this. Is it THAT hard? Is there a way to do
this
in Dreamweaver?


If you are forced to use frames, here is the solution

http://ranjan.ws/scripts/main.htm

The above menu uses persistant layers
(http://www.flevooware.nl/dreamweaver/) by Marja and Dreamweaver Show
Hide Behavior.

Good Luck

Ranjan
www.dreamlettes.net

Murray *TMM* wrote:

ranjan:

It's a ton of code, however, to solve a problem that wouldn't be a problem
on a flat page.

The total script weight for marjas code and show/hide layer togeather is
less than 6K. If put in a js file then its downloaded just once, not to
mention that the header is constant and all header and menu images are
downloaded once. Given these facts the page may NOT be heavier than
flat file option.

I don't think anyone is ever forced to use frames....

Its a decision left to the designer... You cannot assume why the
designer needs frames for a given situation....

The total script weight for marjas code and show/hide layer togeather is
less than 6K. If put in a js file then its downloaded just once, not to
mention that the header is constant and all header and menu images are
downloaded once.

6K compared to the weight of show-hide layer alone is too much by my
standards.

Its a decision left to the designer... You cannot assume why the
designer needs frames for a given situation....

Frames are rarely the proper choice. If it were the proper choice for this
designer, then he/she would not have had to ask the question in the first
place. The problem with frames is precisely what has been illustrated by
your solution. Workaround follows workaround, and in the end, you still
have a sows ear with a ton of unnecessary code. Perhaps that is just my
personal bias speaking, but my agenda is always to push people to question
their 'going-in' assumptions....

--
Murray --- ICQ 71997575
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Dreamweaver
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
==================
http://www.dreamweavermx-templates.com - Template Triage!
http://www.projectseven.com/go - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
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http://www.macromedia.com/support/search/ - Macromedia (MM) Technotes
==================

"ranjan" <ranjan (AT) NOSPAMdreamlettes (DOT) net> wrote

Murray *TMM* wrote:

ranjan:

It's a ton of code, however, to solve a problem that wouldn't be a
problem
on a flat page.

The total script weight for marjas code and show/hide layer togeather is
less than 6K. If put in a js file then its downloaded just once, not to
mention that the header is constant and all header and menu images are
downloaded once. Given these facts the page may NOT be heavier than
flat file option.


I don't think anyone is ever forced to use frames....


Its a decision left to the designer... You cannot assume why the
designer needs frames for a given situation....

Hi Ranjan,
Among other things, this script doesn't offer a "plan B" for JS challenged
browsers and other UAs.
IMO, navigation is a *very* important element that should not just "look
cool".

Thierry

ranjan wrote:

Murray *TMM* wrote:

ranjan:

It's a ton of code, however, to solve a problem that wouldn't be a
problem on a flat page.