aso186

Yup - unless you really need a truly custom app, the open source options available today save the developer countless hours, and the client $$$

$template_dir should just be the directory of your templates, so in this case; var $template_dir = 'templates/';

Enter jQuery Carousels!

I recommend you use swfobject instead for embedding Flash in HTML.

ob_gzhandler is a PHP callback function for ob_start, that can output gzipped HTML to compatible browsers, theoretically speeding up download times. However, if your HTML is already small (byte-wise), and the user's connection is fast, they're not going to visually see much difference (but it should still cut your bandwidth usage ) When you say change the filetype from HTML to PHP, does that mean your files currently end in .html? If so, I doubt the server is parsing your files as PHP, so the code you're using is useless (check the source code of your page - if you can see the PHP code, your files aren't parsing as PHP, and you should rename them to .php). However, renaming your files to .php will of course break a lot of links (and you'll lose your PR / rankings from SE's like Google). I guess you're running IIS (since you're on Windows)? Not sure how you can handle URL redirects with IIS (it's straightforward with Apache), but if you want to use the PHP code (and rename your files), you'll need to somehow set up 301 redirects from .html pages to .php pages. (Another alternative is to set .html pages to also parse as PHP, but again, not sure how you go about this with IIS)

Thanks for the feedback guys @MolotovRuss / stefyx - would you shrink the logo a tad? I think the clients are quite set on the blue stretching right across @MolotovRuss - where should I be using a h2? @stefyx - Do you mean the search bar at the top right, or the search page? Footer coming soon Prototype mock-up - just though of it and wondered what it would like. Would mean less blue and condense the header a bit, but I don't know...

Checked out their source - looks like they're using Slider from the script.aculo.us Prototype JS library add-on Not sure how *exactly* it was implemented, but if you disable JS you can see the products section is just a container with overflow set to scroll.

Had a quick Google - seems like this is not an easy task. It *is* possible, but so far the only solutions I've seen are either Java (not JavaScript) / Active-X (IE only), or a utility for the client's PC (. Someone mentioned using ftb_nb_continue, though don't ask me how! Sorry I can't be of more help.

Thanks kitcorsa! Especially the 22% calc. I'm sure that might come in handy one day

Can't say I'm too sure of this Skinny Latte. I think the answer is part true - you can't just use any domain to point to your database host. But you can use one if the domain is correctly configured to handle a database request. Ask your host (the one with the database) if you can connect to their DB's from other domains, and if so, what connection information you need to do so.

Pretty good! I notice you're only measuring distance between outcodes (all but the last 3 digits of UK postcodes) - I guess that's a limitation on the database of lat/long co-ordinates and postcodes you have access to? (i.e. the Post Office won't let you have it unless for a hefty fee!). Can I ask how you calculate road mileage (as opposed to as the crow flies) - are you even using a lat/long cross-reference? (sorry if I assumed that from the start!)

You got it - consistent navigation simply means keeping the same look and feel, in the same place, throughout your site. Secondary navigation can be used on pages lower down the hierarchy, with links to other pages on the same level (or below) itself. A 'common link bar' is extremely vague - but yes, something that, again, is consistent and easy to access site-wide.

If you're using includes, or just for the sake of consistency, always link to your CSS with an absolute URL or one with a prefixed slash. For example; <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" src="/path/from/root/to/style.css" />

Hey kitcorsa, I tried to check out your script but you've got a mysql_connect error!

Adobe Kuler is pretty darn cool too

Ok this is scary. Firstly, apologies for joining up then vanishing for this long! Secondly, I can't believe it was over a year ago! Well, while I was checking my (few) backlinks to the website in question, I stumbled upon this! So I thought it would be my duty to let you know that the site has finally got round to a re-design! Would be glad to know what you all think! (original snapshot here)

Thanks for feedback! Gotta get my brain racking now

Hi All Waaay back I did a site over at www.egbandk.com. Yes, table layout - I'm as ashamed too Well, I've decided to give it a code makeover with a CSS layout. Plus I'm going to strip out the sidebar and replace with drop-down menu where the current main nav is (using nested lists, CSS, and a hint of j/script for IE) I've pretty much got full license on this job - I can change anything I like, heck I could do it all over again! So this is why I ask - what do you think? Layout, colours etc (I should mention that the banner blue is the company colour, so bare that in mind) Should I start again? What would you change? What do you like about it currently (if anything ) ? Many thanks Alex

Hi ket I can't see any issues with overflow in the MainContent - are you specifying a doctype and making sure the page is valid (x)HTML? To achieve the effect of having the right and left column 'line up', you will need to use the technique known as 'faux columns.' You can read about it at A List Apart: Faux Columns or google 'faux columns css'. If you need more info on the technique, just post back I would also recomend using * { margin: 0; padding: 0; } at the beginning of your css to reset all tags, then applying your margin and padding as you go along. Also, there are a few unnecessary divs in there that don't have any layout purpose (unless you have some other reason for them existing). Those in question would be the 'Content' & 'NavigationContent' div. Plus don't worry about specifying 'width: 100%', this is default for all browsers. Also, make sure you apply the style clear: both; to your 'Navigation' div to ensure correct display in Firefox HTH Alex

Hi Everyone I'm daring into the world of web design and thought what a great place to be a part of! It's been slightly unnerving 'being on your own' so I'm sure this place will prove of great help (and comfort!) - I'm eager to learn Also, if you get a mo, feel free to take a peek at my (very) recent project for a friend over in Sydney, Australia. The whole project evolved with the aid of email and skype http://www.k9logic.com.au Speak soon! Alex