FRAMES - Introduction

to see frame version of this page

Frames have long been a source of debate in terms of good web design. They are the commonest e-mail request in terms of Frontpage express we get, hence this expanded section.

If you didn't know already frames essentially allow you to display two or more webpages within one browser window. If that doesn't make much sense consider the example below (or to see in flesh - click link above)

This page is made up of 3 webpages. You have the the header page, the side menu page and the main area page. The advantage with frames is that you could create a link within any of these 3 frames that would change the main area frame.

e.g.

header side menu Main AREA

header side menu NEW PAGE

Thereby giving consistency to your page with menu and header

Frames are not universally popular. Whilst the vast bulk of surfers are indifferent, there are 2 vocal, (very) minority camps with opposing views. Several criticisms cann be laid at the doors of frames. Firstly frames can suffer badly from screen resolution. Secondly not all browsers support them. Frames can be a nightmare to create links in. Remember each page making up a frame set needs to load in (hence can mean lengthy download times). Finally often can create horrible looking pages (as their oppostion frequently point out).

Frontpage express doesn't directly support frames but there are ways round this.

to see frame version of this page

Select one of these 2 links

learn more about frames and how to link within frames

how to create frames using Frontpage express

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