11.1:Why use frames?

Frames are a useful method to help structure pages in a web site. They split up a screen into several different documents that when placed together can give an effective page layout. Navigation around pages is also another important feature of a web page. With the use of frames navigational bar can remain in place at all times to help the user identify the various places that they can visit.

The DETR site is split into three main frames. These are the,

• top frame - the information and control bar
• main frame - main target screen where the content is listed
• bottom frame - is the direct navigation bar.

11.2:Top Frame

This frame is a general navigation bar that gives the user an option to go back or forward through the site. The buttons are gif files with a touch of javascript to control where the user can go next. When the user places their mouse over the button (onMouseOver) the image changes.

The options are either the user can go back to the last visited page or forward to the previously visited page. There is a slight limitation on using the forward button and that is the user has not visited any previous pages and has not gone back then this button will not work. This is because the button is not able to find a target.

11.3:Main Frame

This is the main target where all the information gets transmitted. When any page is opened it will open in this frame. There are scroll bars enabled so that if all the information does not fit it will automatically get assigned.

11.4Bottom Frame

The main navigational bar in this site, holds all the links through-out the site so that accessibility to all the information is just a click away from the user. There is additional information of how many time the site has been visited and also when the site was last updated.

No Frame Pages (Not shown)

Having a frames enabled browser, it is important to have another copy of the site with no frames. This will be simply executed by having a separate site with the design of the pages with the menus permantently embedded into the pages.

The technical code will be placed in the file that calls up the frames and will look along the lines of this:-

(NOFRAMES)

(BODY)

(H1)DETR INFORMATION(/H1)

Your browser does not support the use of frames. Please (A HREF="noframes.html")click here(/A) for a frameless version of this site.(/BODY)

(/NOFRAMES)

(*presuming that 'noframes.html' is the entry page of the site)

This section of coding gives the user the interactivity of accessing the information without having the frames.

This page was last updated Friday January 23rd 1999