Re: Help with CSS Page Layout

Thank you again -- I just got your new post & I'm going to go over it in
detail after I feed my crazy dogs!

I get the picture that flash menus are ICK, so I'll look into the company you
mention!

Thanks again.

Jane

As you can see, I'm learning the ropes here. I'm wondering why Flash menus are "ick"? Is Flash in general "ick"? Just wondering, because I'm actually better at Flash than I am at CSS!

On Thu, 3 Jan 2008 02:17:43 +0000 (UTC), "janeinpa"
<webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote:

As you can see, I'm learning the ropes here. I'm wondering why Flash
menus are "ick"? Is Flash in general "ick"? Just wondering, because
I'm actually better at Flash than I am at CSS!

Flash menus cause accessibility issues and are not search engine
friendly. Flash is a wonderful technology that can do some things that
are simply not possible otherwise. However, far too many designers
misuse/abuse it, like using a 747 for your four mile commute to work.

Gary

If you want to use Flash for navigation, consider this -

1. Some people don't have Flash installed - what do they do?
2. Search engines don't parse Flash links - your site will not be spidered
3. Screen assistive devices don't parse Flash links - what will those users
do?
4. DW cannot maintain links within a Flash movie, so if you move or rename
a linked file, your navigation will break - what will you do?

It's usually a very bad idea for these reasons...


--
Murray --- ICQ 71997575
Adobe Community Expert
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
==================
http://www.projectseven.com/go - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
http://www.dwfaq.com - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
==================


"janeinpa" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote

As you can see, I'm learning the ropes here. I'm wondering why Flash
menus are "ick"? Is Flash in general "ick"? Just wondering, because I'm
actually better at Flash than I am at CSS!

Thank you. So would using Flash to create a looping slideshow of pictures in
the masthead of my home page be a bad idea? I ask because that's what my group
wants and the only way I know how to do it is with Flash. I'm not entirely
pleased with the result, though as I mentioned in other posts. Here it is:
http://www.allisonwebcreations.com/e...es_allison.htm

Would it be better to use php as you previously suggested (however that only
changes the photo when the page is refreshed -- my gang loves the rolling slide
show) Would the product from projectseven (slide show magic, I think) be
better than what I've done? I also wonder if I couldn't use css to better
create the masthead I currently have even if I use Flash. Currently it's all
one file because I liked the drop shadow effect and the overlapping photos and
I didn't know how else to do it. Can this be done with css?

I really appreciate everyone's help on this. I want to learn how to create
this site on a more professional level if possible.

So would using Flash to create a looping slideshow of pictures in
the masthead of my home page be a bad idea?

No. It can work fine if you can accommodate the empty gray box for those
who may not have Flash Player installed.

By the way -

1. You have this on the page -

@import
url(file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Owner/My%20Documents/Allison%20Web%20Creations/ewga_site/good_page/ewgacss.css);

Obviously, that's not going to work.

2. You can fix the ugly border on the Flash by reading this -

It's IE-only behaviour as a result of changes Microsoft made several
years ago to their browser, regarding how Active Content (Flash, Quicktime
etc)
is handled, after losing a high profile court case.

http://blog.deconcept.com/2005/12/15...-flash-plugin/

Background:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eolas

See also
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/activecontent/

If you're running Dreamweaver 8.0.2/CS3, the fix is already built into DW's
interface.

If not, try http://blog.deconcept.com/swfobject/


--
Murray --- ICQ 71997575
Adobe Community Expert
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
==================
http://www.projectseven.com/go - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
http://www.dwfaq.com - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
==================


"janeinpa" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote

Thank you. So would using Flash to create a looping slideshow of pictures
in
the masthead of my home page be a bad idea? I ask because that's what my
group
wants and the only way I know how to do it is with Flash. I'm not
entirely
pleased with the result, though as I mentioned in other posts. Here it
is:
http://www.allisonwebcreations.com/e...es_allison.htm

Would it be better to use php as you previously suggested (however that
only
changes the photo when the page is refreshed -- my gang loves the rolling
slide
show) Would the product from projectseven (slide show magic, I think) be
better than what I've done? I also wonder if I couldn't use css to better
create the masthead I currently have even if I use Flash. Currently it's
all
one file because I liked the drop shadow effect and the overlapping photos
and
I didn't know how else to do it. Can this be done with css?

I really appreciate everyone's help on this. I want to learn how to
create
this site on a more professional level if possible.

You are so right about that error! Thank you. I'll fix it. Is it better to
use the "import" or the "link" in css?

I understand about the flash navigation -- I won't use it. I liked the
Project Seven products, but I don't know whether I should get the Pop Magic,
which seems more useful for many future web projects; or the tab magic, which
seems to do what I want for this particular project (which is have 1st submenu
level spread across the width of the navigation bar rather than drop down in a
vertical list (like my "ikcky" flash menu did! that part I like!)

About the masthead-- is there a way to supply an alternate graphic if the user
does not have the flash player installed? I'm guessing there must be. I guess
that's my next project! I would take a class on all of this, but I find
classes I've taken are a waste of time since they are far too basic. I never
get these in-depth questions answered, so I'm very greatful for the help
everyone has given me here. I really want to learn to create web pages that
will work well and be well regarded.

I will study the "fixes" for the border problem. I'm glad to know there is
one. Unfortunately I am using Dreamweaver Mx2004. My budget does not allow
for the upgrade at the moment!

Thank you again!

On Thu, 3 Jan 2008 12:06:39 +0000 (UTC), "janeinpa"
<webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote:

Thank you. So would using Flash to create a looping slideshow of pictures in
the masthead of my home page be a bad idea?

Nope. At least not if the looping slide show is simply decorative. If
the slides are the actual content, there are some JavaScript solutions
that I prefer.

I'm not entirely
pleased with the result, though as I mentioned in other posts. Here it is:
http://www.allisonwebcreations.com/e...es_allison.htm

In addition to what Murray pointed out about the style sheet being
linked to your computer, your links also point to files on your hard
drive. Are you working within a defined Dreamweaver site?

If you don't like the slide show, might part of the problem be with the
inconsistent drop shadows? Generally, the light source appears to be top
left. However, the bottom shadow on the left photos extends past the
left edge of the photo. Also, where most of the shadows are soft edges,
the bottom and right shadow on the right photo are sharp.

Would it be better to use php as you previously suggested (however that only
changes the photo when the page is refreshed -- my gang loves the rolling slide
show)

The one I posted was not a slide show. It was just a random image
script. I must have misunderstood what you wanted.

Would the product from projectseven (slide show magic, I think) be
better than what I've done? I also wonder if I couldn't use css to better
create the masthead I currently have even if I use Flash. Currently it's all
one file because I liked the drop shadow effect and the overlapping photos and
I didn't know how else to do it. Can this be done with css?

Slide Show Magic will certainly do the slide show. It is one of the
JavaScript solutions I was referring to earlier. Having the drop shadows
and overlapping images can be done without Flash, but it does make it
more complicated. Like I said, if the effect is simply decorative, Flash
is fine.

I really appreciate everyone's help on this. I want to learn how to create
this site on a more professional level if possible.

You're welcome. Good luck!

Gary

On Thu, 3 Jan 2008 13:49:53 +0000 (UTC), "janeinpa"
<webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote:

I understand about the flash navigation -- I won't use it. I liked the
Project Seven products, but I don't know whether I should get the Pop Magic,
which seems more useful for many future web projects; or the tab magic, which
seems to do what I want for this particular project (which is have 1st submenu
level spread across the width of the navigation bar rather than drop down in a
vertical list (like my "ikcky" flash menu did! that part I like!)

Buy whichever product you need for this project right now; you'll use
it on future projects anyway, and unless your going rate is less than
$10 per hour you'll justify the cost on this first project!

Once you see how easy it is to use the product and customize the
results, you will most likely return for other PVII offerings for
other projects.

I own all of the menu products and slideshow/gallery products.
Different site designs have different requirements. These extensions
save me tons of time and are well worth the cost.

Note: I am not affiliated with Project Seven in any way. I just like
their stuff!

Win
--
Win Day, Wild Rose Websites
http://www.wildrosewebsites.com
winday (AT) NOSPAMwildrosewebsites (DOT) com
Skype winifredday

On Thu, 3 Jan 2008 13:49:53 +0000 (UTC), "janeinpa"
<webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote:

I will study the "fixes" for the border problem. I'm glad to know there is
one. Unfortunately I am using Dreamweaver Mx2004. My budget does not allow
for the upgrade at the moment!

If you use the solution at http://blog.deconcept.com/swfobject/ you can
place an image in the page. If Flash is available, the image will be
replaced by your slide show. If Flash is *not* available, the image will
be displayed.

Gary