Flexible Tables ?

[bvdd]

Hi all,

Newbie here (but I learn fast)

I need a webpage that adjusts to different window widths. I believe one of the ways to address this is by using flexible tables (or is it flexible columns ?)

I have Dreamweaver CS5 but I can't find a single reference to the words 'Flexible' or 'Autostretch'. Where exactly is this feature?

Also, what other web designing software will do this? Frontpage maybe?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[ronaldroe]

First off, don't use Frontpage even if it does do what you're wanting.

Now, I don't use Dreamweaver, but I doubt the design view is capable of creating fluid layouts. The easiest way to do that is to hand code.

This is a pretty good article that gives the general idea about fluid layouts:
http://coding.smashingmagazine.com/...s-elastic-layout-whats-the-right-one-for-you/

This is an old, but still relevant article that actually explains how to do it:
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/fluidgrids/

 

[bvdd]

First off, don't use Frontpage even if it does do what you're wanting.

Now, I don't use Dreamweaver, but I doubt the design view is capable of creating fluid layouts. The easiest way to do that is to hand code.

This is a pretty good article that gives the general idea about fluid layouts:
http://coding.smashingmagazine.com/...s-elastic-layout-whats-the-right-one-for-you/

This is an old, but still relevant article that actually explains how to do it:
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/fluidgrids/

Why should I not use Frontpage?

 

[ronaldroe]

From a code standpoint, all WYSIWYG editors are garbage. Frontpage is the king of the dung heap.

 

[bvdd]

From a code standpoint, all WYSIWYG editors are garbage. Frontpage is the king of the dung heap.

Ok, I get the idea.

I'll look for a forum that's a little more understanding and accepting of beginners.

Thanks for your time.

 

[ronaldroe]

Ok, I get the idea.

I'll look for a forum that's a little more understanding and accepting of beginners.

Thanks for your time.

Do what you will, but it has nothing to do with accepting beginners. You asked a question and got an answer. To believe that as a beginner you have to start out by dragging and dropping your websites in order to learn how to design is ridiculous. If anything, the advice to not use Frontpage, and the discouragement of WYSIWYG use is a great help to not only you as a beginner, but creates a better looking, more functional internet down the road.

You aren't going to find a forum out there that is excepting of WYSIWYG users, unless you're on a forum for a WYSIWYG editor.

As a beginner, start here or here.

 

[DHDdirect]

(but I learn fast)

Doesn't sound like he wants to learn at all.

 

[Phreaddee]

Please dont pick on microsoft.
They've given us such good products like vista, publisher, and ie6.
Im taking my bat n ball and going home.

Wonder how many forums he will try before he realises that ronald was doing him a favour steering him clear of frontpage?
Honestly, why he took offense to that is beyond me...

 

[ronaldroe]

Seems like a lot of these people lately.

Them: "How do I use Craptastica 4.0 to make a super Web 2.0 SEO masterpiece? Gotsta maximize my SERPs."

Us: "You can't. It's a WYSIWYG. That's kind of a limitation of computers; they can't think like people."

Them: "Well, I'll just grab a template from Craplates and give it to the client."

Us: "That's kinda shady. You were paid for original work."

Them: "Why are you so hateful? Can't you put your hate aside for the sake of humanity and validate my need to feel good about myself and the fact that I'm too lazy to do the work myself? I mean, not everyone can learn HTML. It's pretty difficult."

Us: ""

 

[bvdd]

Doesn't sound like he wants to learn at all.

I sure learned fast about this forum.

 

[Phreaddee]

Ronald gave you several excellent links, and some helpful advice, which you obviously didnt take notice of. You chose to react how you did. Sorry you feel that way...

 

[DHDdirect]

I sure learned fast about this forum.

Well something that was said must be keeping you coming back.

If you have Dreamweaver CS5 why would you even consider Frontpage which btw Microsoft no longer supports? That means it's horribly outdated as with most WYSIWYG editors for that matter because web design is changing so rapidly they can't keep up. That translates to horrible coding that will most definately not work in one or more of the major browsers so you'll end up going into the code view anyway to hack at it even more to attempt to get it working which will bring you back here asking us all what to do.

You see the whole cycle will then start all over again with your ego being brused.

 

[ronaldroe]

I sure learned fast about this forum.

You really are an entitled little brat, aren't you? You came for help and got it. Do you remember my very first response to your question? Let's take a look:

First off, don't use Frontpage even if it does do what you're wanting.

Now, I don't use Dreamweaver, but I doubt the design view is capable of creating fluid layouts. The easiest way to do that is to hand code.

This is a pretty good article that gives the general idea about fluid layouts:
http://coding.smashingmagazine.com/...s-elastic-layout-whats-the-right-one-for-you/

This is an old, but still relevant article that actually explains how to do it:
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/fluidgrids/

Right there, I tell you that Dw probably won't do what you're wanting through drag and drop. Then, I link you to a site that teaches you the theory behind fluid layouts. Then, I linked you to a site that teaches you how to do it step-by-step. Both of these articles are written by some of the best web designers out there.

But you overlooked all of that and keyed in on this part:

First off, don't use Frontpage even if it does do what you're wanting.

And decided to throw a tantrum after I told you it was a piece of crap. Of course, I didn't bother to mention that it's so crappy that you'd be better off using MS Word, or that it's so crappy that MS doesn't make or even provide support for it any more.

So please, for the love of God, if you can't just accept help when its given, move on to another forum. However, if you're ready to learn the right way to do things, and you're not afraid of the occasional ribbing, you've found the right place. There's a lot of damn smart people around here who are happy to teach you how to do it right. But bear in mind, no one is going to stroke your ego. If you're doing it wrong, you're going to be told so. It isn't personal. We care about web design and want to see it done right.