Switch Content Script

[HTMLBasicTutor]

The problem:
Want to "expose" more stuff when the user clicks View All. Like on a shopping site when there are more than the hard coded say 20 items shown. But this is not a database driven site.

Want to save on download time on initial visit to page.

Solutions I found:
Switch Content Script at DynamicDrive. Scroll down to the Using Ajax to specify remote content for certain headers section.

This one looks easier: Cut & Paste Ajax Page Fetcher

The only thing with using Ajax is that last time I tried this for something similar it didn't pickup the CSS.


Anyone have a better solution to suggest?

[ScriptMan]

No database. Is it a PHP based site?

A long time ago I used a switch statement in conjunction with a rand() call to rotate a serious of page includes in a block on the index page of the site. I'm pretty sure I still have the code somewhere on this hard drive. That might be tweakable to show any of X numbers of pages showing Y amount of different items.

Each page would have to be hand coded if you have no DB and just sit there in a cache file.

[HTMLBasicTutor]

Just regular HTML site. I could put instructions in the .htaccess to process PHP.

I could put "the rest" in a hidden div that is exposed when the user clicks View All but that defeats the aim of keeping the download time down that's why I was looking for something that would insert on demand.

My other thought was: On most sites when they do this the page refreshes and the user has to start from the top again. I was trying to avoid that so they could continue from where they left off.

[ScriptMan]

How many total items are we talking about per page load? Is is image intensive?

At the moment a pop up like we do here for the extra smileys is the best I can come up with cause everything you said above is true. The hidden div does make for a clean looking page but saves no time or bandwidth.

[HTMLBasicTutor]

One section has about 40 items right now.

The look that is wanted is:
Image
Price
Link to more info
Maybe Buy Now button (they haven't decided)

x 4 divs wide

20 items initially

Thought of something else:
onclick,
write PHP include instruction and insert a PHP include with the rest.

[ScriptMan]

Won't that still refresh the whole page? It's sounds like a good solution for a no database site.

I would encourage an add to cart button in lieu of BIN or heck do both if they think they want that look. Add buttons are reputed to gather higher cart totals.

[RiptideTempora]

function showAll() {
  $.post("/listAll.html", function(data) {
    $("#targetDiv").html(data);
  });
}

OR

var globalFlag = 0;
function showAll() {
  $.post("/listMore.html", function(data) {
    if(globalFlag == 0) {
      $("#targetDiv").append(data);
      globalFlag = 1;
    }
  });
}

Both codes are jQuery.

If you want to get really creative, you can just store everything in one file and separate it with a string you're unlikely to encounter in HTML and do this:

var globalFlag = 0;
function showAll() {
  $.post("/listMore.html", function(data) {
    if(globalFlag == 0) {
      temp = data.split(String.charCodeAt(126)); // Find a character you'll never use in your actual document for this purpose
      $("#targetDiv").append(temp[0]);
      $("#targetDiv2").append(temp[1]);
      $("#targetDiv3").append(temp[2]);
      globalFlag = 1;
    }
  });
}

[HTMLBasicTutor]

Thanks RiptideTempora. I have to think about this and how to do on a case by case basis.