Frames
Some of the most god-awful sites I’ve ever seen have used frames. To be fair though, I’ve
seen some that used tables that were just as bad.
Frames require what is called a "Frameset" page. This is the most important thing. If it’s layed
out weird, then the frames will either A.) Not work at all, or B.) look hideous! The Frameset
page is just what it says, a framework for the rest of the site. In each section (or Frame) there
is a complete webpage, even if it’s just a graphic. The Frameset page tells the browser
WHERE each of these complete pages goes. So if you have a page with lots of information
crammed into a narrow frame what you get is frustrating for the visitor at best.
Good rule of thumb… Keep it Simple!!! Some of the most annoying framed pages I’ve ever
seen are ones that have a bazillion different frames. And when I say a bazillion, I mean
anything over say three, at most four. The human eye can only handle seeing so many little
sections, and especially on the Internet! When I go to set up a framed page I ask myself a few
questions.
1.Is it easy on the eye? In other words, am I dizzy looking at it.
2.Does it make sense? Is the general layout reasonable.
3.Could the effect I’m trying to achieve be accomplished using tables instead?
If the answer to the first two questions is yes, then go ahead and set it up. However, if there
is a shred of doubt, try option Three.
Tables
Tables have their own quirks though. The biggest one that I’ve seen is the browser
compatibility factor. Netscape and IE see tables very differently. I’ve found that to overcome
this annoying problem to do a blend of the tags that both read.
Basically what tables are is a series of rows and cells that allow one to neatly organize
information and images, rather like those shadow boxes that you use to display knick-knacks.
When laying out a page using tables, it’s often best to leave the border on. This gives you a
clear view of what exactly is going on and how it really looks. This includes where the text
sets in a specific cell of a table. Too many times I’ve gone to a site that’s layed out with
tables and found the text running into itself or overlapping images! A good rule of thumb
when setting text in a table cell is give a cell padding of no less then 5 pixels.
Frames and tables both should be checked and double checked with the two most popular
browsers. What might look fantastic with Netscape often times looks like crap in IE, and visa
versa, though Netscape seems to be a bit more forgiving. Especially tables. Get tables to work
right and look right in IE and Netscape is happy. The only other thing regarding tables and
cross-browser compatibility is the background colors of cells. Netscape reads background
images, IE doesn’t. So be real sure that whatever background color you set for the table
blends well with the background of the page itself. If your using a plain colored background
this doesn’t present a problem, however, for those of us that like a textured background, it
becomes a MAJOR issue! Check, check and double check!!! Nothing grosser then to see
your pretty table that looks incredible in Netscape rendered with some sick color background
in IE.
As far as Frames, remember that some older browsers do not recognize them, so all that work
that you put into the building of the frames could be rendered into a jumble at best. Its always
a good idea to created the site without using frames as well for those that have older
browsers.
Whether you are a fan of frames, or a table lover, or even torn on the choice of which way to
lay out the page, keep in mind a few things:
1.Keep it simple.
2.Double check everything from general appearance to colors.
3.Compare IE and Netscape appearance.
4.Have fun!
About the Author
Mary Hickey
Graphical Dreams- Fantasy Web Pages, Custom Sets and Collections.
http://graphicaldreams.on-z.net