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HTMLHelp Forums _ General Web Design _ Using Select Menu to open file in target windon

Posted by: Anthony Saulnier Jan 14 2007, 02:39 AM

Hi, I am wondering if anyone can help me with this. I currently have my web site set up using framesets with the target attribute so that when a user clicks a button on the left hand side, the corresponding file opens on the right side as it should.

However, I am trying to redesign my site so that instead of using buttons, the user will see the dropdown list instead. The problem is that I do not know how to do this.

My site is www.anthonysaulnier.com

Below I have pasted samples of code. You will see the files that I am trying to have open in the right side of the screen.

I created a backup file and thats what I am working on for testing purposes. The stuff that you see in between the body tags is what is currently on my main site now.

<HTML>

<form TARGET = "mainpage">
<P>Select one or more sections to search:
<SELECT>
<OPTION>Option 1</OPTION>
<OPTION value ="customerrecognitionprogram.html">Option 2</OPTION>
<OPTION>FAQ Archives</OPTION>
<OPTION>Design Elements</OPTION>
<OPTION>Tools</OPTION>
<OPTION>Feature Article</OPTION>
</SELECT>
</P>
<INPUT TYPE="SUBMIT" NAME="SUBMIT" VALUE="SUBMIT">
</form>

<BODY">
<A HREF="mainpage.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="home.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="qualifications.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="qualifications.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="aboutus.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="aboutus.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="whychooseus.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="whychooseus.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="tips.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="tips.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="/cgi-bin/servicerequest.cgi" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="servicecall.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="customerrecognitionprogram.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="rewards.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="websitedesign.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="websitedesign.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="contactus.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="contactus.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="/cgi-bin/mailinglist.cgi" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="joinourmailinglist.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="disclaimer.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="disclaimer.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="employment.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="employment.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="interestinglinks.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="interestinglinks.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="maintenance.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="maintenancedeals.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="news.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="news.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="priceguarantees.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="priceguarantees.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="projectlist.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="projectlist.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="relatedlinks.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="relatedlinks.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="serviceareas.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="serviceareas.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="forsale.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="forsale.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
<A HREF="faqs.html" TARGET="mainpage"><IMG SRC="frequentquestions.jpg" BORDER="0" WIDTH="165"></IMG></A>
</BODY>
</HTML>

I am open to trying HTML, Perl, or CGI.

If anyone could give me any ideas, it would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Posted by: Frederiek Jan 14 2007, 07:13 AM

See this FAQ entry: http://htmlhelp.com/faq/html/forms.html#form-navmenu.

Posted by: Christian J Jan 14 2007, 07:15 AM

QUOTE(Anthony Saulnier @ Jan 14 2007, 08:39 AM)

I currently have my web site set up using framesets

Frames should be avoided, since they mostly cause trouble: http://htmlhelp.com/faq/html/frames.html#frame-problems

QUOTE

However, I am trying to redesign my site so that instead of using buttons, the user will see the dropdown list instead. The problem is that I do not know how to do this.

See http://htmlhelp.com/faq/html/forms.html#form-navmenu

QUOTE

My site is www.anthonysaulnier.com

The validator shows some HTML errors you may want to fix:
http://www.htmlhelp.com/cgi-bin/validate.cgi?url=http://www.anthonysaulnier.com/
http://www.htmlhelp.com/cgi-bin/validate.cgi?url=http://74.99.204.64:38098/businesssite/choices.html
http://www.htmlhelp.com/cgi-bin/validate.cgi?url=http://74.99.204.64:38098/businesssite/mainpage.html

Posted by: Anthony Saulnier Jan 14 2007, 03:02 PM

Hi guys, thanks for the input. Yeah it looks like it is going to be difficult to do. java script might be an option, but as one of the articles suggests, the client may not have the java component installed. I am going to try a few things in perl/cgi since I can make the pages dynamic. Anyway, its been a while since I have touched Perl/CGI, it will be a good refresher.

I will keep you posted.

Posted by: Darin McGrew Jan 14 2007, 05:13 PM

QUOTE

java script might be an option, but as one of the articles suggests, the client may not have the java component installed.

FWIW, JavaScript and Java are completely different things.

Posted by: Anthony Saulnier Jan 15 2007, 12:01 PM

Hi guys, so I tried Perl/CGI. It worked great. I guess I will start leaning more on them.

Yeah you are right Darin, of course I gotta get tuned up on them though.

Anyway, thanks again guys.

Cheers,

Anthony