iframes

temporary loading page

[kris]

I am using <iframes> to display pages from a site other than my own. The pages are rather large so the tend to load a bit slower than I would like.

Is there a way for me to insert a gif or text instructing the user that the page is loading within the iframe. This text would then be replaced by the <iframe> page once loaded.

What is the best way to achieve this?

[papabaer]

Hello Kris, you could deploy an intro page with simple text or a graphic and then use meta refresh to load the desired page:

<meta http-equiv=refresh content="5; url=http://www.iframe-content.com/" />

Load the page (or pages) into the iframe and use refresh to load the desired url.

Ideally though, you would be better off just providing a short explanation (regarding the potential wait) on the parent page just before or after the links that target the iframe. Just be upfront... it's better that way.

[Brett_Tabke]

Hey, that is a very slick trick papabaer. Just double load it with the intro page doing the "please stand by" bit.

[papabaer]

Yes, it can be useful. You can even create a simulated "slideshow" presentation by using an iframe as the "viewer" and the loaded pages (each refreshing to the next and the last to the first).

You could even use an intro page to start and stop the presentation. Do not use meta refresh on the default iframed intro page, include a text introduction and a link/button to load the first page in the sequence of meta refresh pages. The last page would reload the intro thus ending the presentation.

Kind of like Flash without the flash overhead (since the slideshow/presentation) pages do NOT need to be loaded until called for. ;)

[kris]

Thanks papabaer, that did the trick. I also have an explanation for the delay on the main page. Thanks for the tip!!

[kris]

Just a follow up, do se's penalize for metarefresh's? Would that be considered a redirect bait and switch type situation?