Putting orphan pages into their frameset

Search engine links directly to frame pages is a problem

[ewalton]

I want to do my next layout as frames, which is something I have avoided previously because pages can come up in search engines but without the frame. Is there a way to make it so if a certain window cannot be viewed without the frame?

For instance:

menu ¦ page a

If page a is clicked on by an outside link, can I make it so it has to be viewed with the menu?

[Krapulator]

This is usually done using javascript.

[ewalton]

ok, so how can you do that? is it very difficult and does it affect search engine readings?

[tedster]

As a matter of fact, we have exactly that javascript over in our Javascript Forum's Library, in a thread called "Handy, Generic JavaScript Coding."

Message #21: Force Many Pages into Frames [webmasterworld.com]

No negative effect on search engines that I've seen - and I've been using it for five years on one site where the client just refused to give up frames.

[ewalton]

ok, thanks!

[ewalton]

I'm sorry, but I don't understand Javascript. Would someone be nice enough to explain to me exactly how to use that?

[tedster]

I hate to be a "motivational speaker" here, ewalton, but the information in that thread gives pretty simple instructions (if I do say so myself). So believe that you CAN figure it out - because I'm sure you can.

Just roll up your sleeves and give it a try. Then, if a specific part has you stumped, ask for help in our Javascript Forum. There's no substitute for hands-on experience, and my script has been published in newsletters for beginners, with good feedback from the members.

There's three main parts:

1. A script for the potentially orphaned page
2. A "master" frameset page to catch the redirects from the orphan page
3. Script for the master frameset to pull out the URL of the orphan page and insert it into the proper frame

And you don't need to fully understand the script itself - you can copy/paste and just plug in your own URLs, frame widths, etc.

[ewalton]

ok then, I will try! I guess all I need to do is just copy and paste what it says, but can I use my index.html instrad of master.html?

[tedster]

You need TWO frameset files. One is your regular index.html frameset, and it does not contain the javascript - it's just your regular file.

The second frameset you need is essentially a copy of index.html, but with the javascript included to insert a the orphaned file into your content frame's src= attribute.

You could take it a step further and only use one file - but that's another step in the logic and you whould get the basic setup working first before you get more complex.

I suggest you try playing around with it in a trial set up, using dummy pages with real basic "filler" text for a few files, and work that way until it begins to make sense to you. Then move on to your more complicated real situation.

It only looks confusing until you wade in. A little hands on and experimenting, and the cluods begin to blow away.