Best language for a websites navigation bar?

[jbaggins]

Hi,

I have a website for a business that is coded in html. it has 3 frames. The top frame has the company header, the left frame contains the navigation menu, and the other frame is the body frame.

Currently, the navigation menu is coded in flash. There are six links in the navigation menu. Two of the links are main headings that have sub heading embedded (i.e. you click the + sign and then the subheading pops up beneath it). The problem is, i have received notice that some customers are still on web browsers that do not have flash. These people will not be able to see the menu at all. Someone called in and complained they couldn't see anything. The website is pointless if the navigation bar does not work.

I could go through the process of suggesting them to download flash, but then what about all the potential customers we could be losing if they don't have flash?

So, I have decided to get rid of the flash. Now, I am not up to date on the various web languages, but i'm pretty good at figuring them out, esp. if i view code of how others do it.

So, the question is, what would be the most backward, forward, and cross platform (ie. mozilla, i. explorer, firefox, etc.) compatible menu bar to put in the frame?

Also, please post some sample code, or direct me to a site that has it. i would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[kamper]

The most browser compatible way would be to render the submenus on the server side. So every time they click one of the top level items a new page request is sent, specifying which item was clicked on and you send back a new menu with the proper part expanded. That could be a pain though.

Another way is to use javascript to hide/unhide the submenus on the client side. It's possible that you'll run into browsers that don't play well with normal javascript but that's far less likely than no flash.

 

[notfred]

plain old HTML.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: notfred
plain old HTML.

:thumbsup:

 

[neit]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: notfred
plain old HTML.

:thumbsup:

The only scripting I would add would be SSI/php to inject the code of a menu file. That way you only need to update the file that contains the menu information and it will be included in the site for every page that requests it.

For the special effects of sub links and what not, I think it would be better to have a simpler layout that would take you to a subportal page with each link. I only encourage this because you are serving clients with your page, and you probably want the most static, simple (technology wise and layout wise) page possible. Stick to basics and enhace usability, that should be your main focus.

I would definately say ditch flash, take a look into javascript or CSS for design, but remember, the simpler the better, you don't necesarily want a boring page, but don't make it all eye candy for the developer, after all you aren't the audience of the site.

 

[Abhoth]

http://projectseven.com/