| MORE ABOUT FRAMES |
So far we've covered the three most important things about frames; 1) think twice before using them, 2) how to create them, 3) frame names and how links work with targets. Now let's explore some features that will let you control some of the finer points using the Frame Property dialog - not surprisingly located via a right click on the given frame.
At the top of the list is the name of the frame....remember; targets use names so it's unlikely you'll need to change this setting.
Resizable in Browser is a control that can prevent a viewer from being able to drag borders to change the frame size. Use with caution - users don't like designers who take away too much control.
It's the same with scroll bars - you can reclaim some screen space without scroll bars but if the viewer loads a page whose contents aren't fully visible and has no way to scroll they will be frustrated.
Setting the frame size through this dialog can be useful if you need exactness but it's usually easier to drag borders in Editor's window interactively.
Margins can be problematic on different browsers and versions - use 'em but don't count on them working every time.
The bottom entry - Initial Page - will allow you to change the page to be displayed when the frameset first loads.
Next take look at what's behind the button labeled Frames Page. Here you'll find settings controlling the over all frame display. It's interesting to view the effect of unchecking the Show Borders control - useful for gaining yet more screen space and special effects but it comes at the cost of removing any ability for the viewer to resize any of the frames.
After you've explored what properties are available, turn your attention to the status bar at the bottom of your window. Notice how many more tabs there are:
Normal is the standard WYSIWYG editing mode. The 'No Frames' tab will allow you to edit a page that users without a frames-capable browser will see. It's important to provide alternatives to all your viewers.
The HTML tab is a screen that lets you make directly edit HTML code on whichever frame was active when you clicked the tab; while 'Frames Page HTML' displays code for the master or parent frame. Again, be sure to explore these areas until you're comfortable.
- Sharky's Netscape Frames Tutorial
- A little dated but the information is sound.
- Framing the Web
- An authoritative source