Help with changes to multiple pages

[EnterDaMatrix]

Hi, I know this is kinda a noobieish question. But, I'm designing a layout for my site. Basically, when adding content to the site, I would ad whatever, and put it on a page. And I would do that with every page of the site. But, what if I had like 20 pages, and I needed to change something on every page, like a menu. Is there a certain way to do this or is there another way to design a layout that would make something like this easier. Had to ask before it was too late. Anywho, hope I was clear enough. Thx in advance.

[dave conz]

Try this page:
http://www.mediacollege.com/internet...dit/index.html

[Dark_Matter]

If you're not familiar with server side scripting, Dreamweaver has a feature called templates that is very easy to use. You can create a template page with your menu and all the parts of the site that you want to be able to update across multiple pages. The template will also have an area for the "content" of the page (this is the non-changeable part). You create the pages of your site using the template, and upload them. When you need to change the pages, all you have to do is change the template page, and Dreamweaver will prompt you and change all the pages that you created using that template, leaving your "content" alone. Unfortunately you do have to manually upload all the pages yourself.

[younghistorians]

PHP has a nice include() function as well.

[frankybme]

Originally Posted by Dark_Matter

If you're not familiar with server side scripting, Dreamweaver has a feature called templates that is very easy to use. You can create a template page with your menu and all the parts of the site that you want to be able to update across multiple pages. The template will also have an area for the "content" of the page (this is the non-changeable part). You create the pages of your site using the template, and upload them. When you need to change the pages, all you have to do is change the template page, and Dreamweaver will prompt you and change all the pages that you created using that template, leaving your "content" alone. Unfortunately you do have to manually upload all the pages yourself.

anything simliar for frontpage?

[dave conz]

Yes, Frontpage has a similar feature. It's one of their web bots. Happily I haven't had any dealings with Frontpage for a long time so I can't remember the details. You should try to be in the same position because FP sux.

As for "manually updating" pages - this is not at all the horrible tedious task many people seem to think. I use "Find and Replace" to manage three sites with well over a thousand pages each. I have no problem using this system - it works better than all the others I've tried (including SSI, JavaScript, DW Library and FP web bots). Uploading pages is very simple using the Dreamweaver synchronise command.

[frankybme]

Originally Posted by dave conz

Yes, Frontpage has a similar feature. It's one of their web bots. Happily I haven't had any dealings with Frontpage for a long time so I can't remember the details. You should try to be in the same position because FP sux.

As for "manually updating" pages - this is not at all the horrible tedious task many people seem to think. I use "Find and Replace" to manage three sites with well over a thousand pages each. I have no problem using this system - it works better than all the others I've tried (including SSI, JavaScript, DW Library and FP web bots). Uploading pages is very simple using the Dreamweaver synchronise command.

Thanks so much exactly what i was looking for!

[realestate]

Maybe you need CSS. w3schools.com have some tutorials.
I don't know it myself. Just heard from others in forums.

[seonewbee]

Originally Posted by dave conz

Try this page:
http://www.mediacollege.com/internet...dit/index.html

Great site.

[dave conz]

Originally Posted by seonewbee

Great site.

cheers

[nmgoodthing]

ASP server side includes are also an awesome alternative. You can use an .inc or an .asp extension for the include page. Whats also great is you don't have to include the the whole <html><header><body> and closing tags in the include as long as you pages you put the includes in has them. I use SSI for headers, navigation, footers, and so on. Change one file and upload one file and it changes globally. I also believe that Apache and Unix servers can have SSI w/ out PHP, with the .shtml extension.

[Spiral]

PHP includes are great for this function. I use them on every site.

[dave conz]

Originally Posted by nmgoodthing

I also believe that Apache and Unix servers can have SSI w/ out PHP, with the .shtml extension.

Correct, although you can have whatever extensions you like if you have control over the server. You can have .html pages include SSI if you like. .shtml is just a common convention.