i want to "de-frame" a site

[mightymid]

Hi all,

I'm running a site that uses frames. I want to ditch those frames, but I'm not sure how to retain the current functionality without them.

Right now, there are two frames. The left frame contains a Flash menu with links that open pages in the right frame. While the right side is loading, the Flash menu does a short series of animations (specifically, some of the buttons rearrange themselves).

Yes, I could just use an include to drop the menu onto each page, but the .swf would refresh (ie, blink) as the user goes from page to page. And the boss doesn't want that happening. In addition, the menu wouldn't do those little animations that it's supposed to do while the right side is loading.

I've looked into AJAX solutions, but none quite fits the bill. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

As always, many thanks.

Mid

[tedster]

That's the tradeoff, I think. I don't see any way to keep the Flash menu working the way you described and not use frames or iframes.

[Dabrowski]

With out making the entire site flash, which is useless. Don't do that. You'll burn in hell if you do.

[mightymid]

But Dabrowski, won't I burn in hell anyway for using frames? ;) Thank you both for the replies.

[LifeinAsia]

There are different levels (frames?) of Hell. Think Dante with a cyber context. But don't worry, whichever level you end up at (frames or Flash), you'll still be better off than at the level reserved for SPAMMERS.

[Dabrowski]

But Dabrowski, won't I burn in hell anyway for using frames? ;)

LOL! I did use that in another thread somewhere didn't I? It's good to know I have regular readers, I should start a newspaper column!

I have broken my habit of using IFRAMEs, in favour of SHTML SSI requests. Much more search engine friendly.

However the site I'm working on currently I think would be better if one area didn't disappear when the page switches, so I'm thinking of making a wrapper page with 2 IFRAMES, one with the area I don't want to move, positioned on top of the one which will contain the *real* site.

Have to see how that one goes.

[Dabrowski]

Actually I've just realised this is the same as what you want. I'll see if I can get it working and let you know.

[Dabrowski]

Addendum....

I've got the layers working fine, looks very good actually. One thing is though, my sidebar is in an IFRAME, I need this because on some pages it's displaying decorative stuff, on others a menu, so I need the IFRAME to flip back and forth.

But in your case it's the same content, your .swf all the time, so you just need to make this float on top of your main page IFRAME.

[Dabrowski]

Yes that method is working brilliantly.

I have a wrapper page (loose DTD) with an IFRAME filling the page, that houses the *real* site (strict DTD).

On top of that I have my non-flickering sidebar, it's an image fader, so for the images to reset every time looks bad.

I've also got a page footer and some other graphical bits sitting on top of the IFRAME.

If you need help with the code, css, layout or whatever then just ask and I'll give you some code samples.

I'll send you a sticky with the URL on so you can have a look.