Remote document insertion on-the-fly

[Brett_Tabke]

What is the easiest and most compatable way to insert a document from another document on-the-fly from a remote server? Jscript document write and a inline frame are two ways. Jscript has certain compatability problems that must be overcome and iframes are only available on Opera 4, IE 5, and Moz6, which limits its utility (no matter how attractive an option it is). So, what does that leave? Another js option I am overlooking that is more compat?

[rcjordan]

In certain circumstances, you can sniff the browser and then insert an iframe (if IE) or an ilayer (if NS).... LOTS of limitations, but it will work well for banners. The ilayer becomes too cumbersome if you are trying to do a vertical column, such as a newsfeed.

The above is essentially a js document.write at its core.

How about injecting the document w/ SSI?

[Brett_Tabke]

ssi - Not on the same server. I'm looking for a news distribution options. I've looked at all the others (news hub, moreover, isyndicate, etc), and I am looking for a better solution than they are presenting. There is something I don't like about each of their systems.

[tedster]

Brett, I'm using moreover on two sites. What is the limitation you're running into with their method?

I split their code up into separate js functions and took it to external files. It seems to work fine -- of course not for the 10% who don't run js, but these sites have lots of other js and css anyway.

However, I realize that I may be hitting other limitations and just not realize it. Would appreciate your view.

[Hotrodder]

I use the moreover XML feeds with my own script and I'm happy with it.

The only problems have to do with the fact the category I chose is a bit broader than I'd like, and the lack of information on some of the headlines. (There are at least 3 racers with the last name Schumacher and the headlines don't give you a clue what form of motor sports the headline is about)

<edit>
But the best way to fetch news is to write/find a PHP/Perl/ASP/Python/etc.. to grab and process the file then include the script with SSI on your page.
</edit>

[Brett_Tabke]

Tedster; The moreover code isn't compatable with Opera 4. Not sure what it is, but it won't pass a jscript validator. The Moreover homepage can crash Opera 3.62. Look in your logs on pages that have Moreover code on them and you will see a wild set of bad hits and errors from various browsers having trouble with the code. So I don't have a great deal of faith in their setup. I won't put it on my pages.