Scrollbar question

[Andreas Spante]

Hi!

Does anyone know if it's possible to create a framed page with, say 4 frames, and then use only one scrollbar to scroll the whole page. If this is possible, how do I do it?

-Andreas

[Woz]

Try having a frame set with a single whole-page frame that inturn loads a second frame set with your 4 subframes. Then you would be scrolling the first whole-page frame and everything would move with it.

Onya
WOz

[rencke]

Välkommen till WebmasterWorld, Andreas. I hope you will like our "University of Search Engine Optimization".

Keep in mind, that if you follow Woz' suggestion above, you may have problems getting the page indexed by some of the simpler search engines, so make sure that you have lots of text in the <NOFRAMES> area. A question: If you want the whole thing to scroll, is there any particular reason why you want to use a frameset? Wouldn't a table work for you?

[Woz]

thanks rencke, forgot 'bout that...

Onya
Woz

[rencke]

And I forgot about links. There should be both text and links to the rest of the pages between the <noframes> and </noframes> tags. Properly structured like a real page with H1, paragraph, H2 paragraphs etc.

[Andreas Spante]

Well, I guess I could use a table instead of frames but it takes a little longer time to load if I have to reload the banner and another picture all the time.

Sure, I know that those files are saved in the temporary internet files folder but I can still notice that it takes some extra time to load, with a 56k modem that is. I don't think those with cabel connection etc. would have a problem.

I tried to make one page and then load the rest of the frames in that one but it didn't get a scrollbar even if I inserted scrolling="yes" in that one and scrolling="no" in all of the other frames.
Any suggestions?

-Andreas

[Eric_Lander]

Random suggestion... Stick to tables. If you're using clean HTML coding, there shouldn't be any issues. Otherwise, think of the HTML header information you would be loading up unnecessarily.

It just seems to me that you would have far more control, easier file management, and the ability to utilize a caching system. At most, try to use a Meta tag to control the pages expiration date ensuring it will reload effectively…

Maybe I’m just ranting, but in terms of SEO, usability and so on. . I think that using a complex frameset in your type of situation is like asking to be banned or buried from any and all directories/engines.

Just MHO kicking in. Good luck though with whatever you do decide.

[Andreas Spante]

Ok, maybe I have to stick to tables but does anyone know how I can make a scrollbar to scroll all four frames at once?

To load all those subframes into one frame didn't seem to work. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but I don't think so. Is there perhaps another way to do it?
Maybe with a java script or something?

-Andreas

[joshie76]

Full HTML4 caters fairly well to your needs with the introduction of IFRAMES. These are frames that are embedded into a page and not split windows.

<IFRAME name="name" src="URL" width="x" height="y"></IFRAME>

The scrolling attributes are as per the <FRAME> tag.

You can place this source in a table to achieve the layout you require. They only work in IE5 & NN6 (maybe Opera, dunno) but they are an excellent way to achieve pagelets and I think they'll become quite popular.

Josh

[Andreas Spante]

Thanks for the help everyone!
I think I'll try those Iframes.

-Andreas

[mdharrold]

I have been using SSI for almost all of my "frames issues". The graphics are then cached and the pages load pretty quick.