[thelist] TABLES AND MENUS AND FRAMES...OH MY!!

>I'm making an electronic version of a manual.  There will be lots of links
>to the various levels within the manual and to the different subject areas
>within each level.  My question:  What is the best, cross-browser technique
>to use?

I don't know if this would be of interest, but how about a windows-type
menu system, with or without frames, supported by JavaScript. You can get
free code, cross-platfrom, cross-browser icons (which you can replace) and
complete instructions at http://www.alchemy-computing.co.uk/joust/. I've
not used it, but a couple of weeks ago I downloaded all of the zip files
for possible future use. While this approach may be worth considering, if
you can figure out a way to use straight HTML to include the widest
possible audience I believe that would be the way to go. Accessibility is
probably paramount in your case (if the work is for the government), so PDF
might not be an option.

If you go with the HTML table model (or SSI or Dreamweaver library items),
you can have the main chapter headings for your navigation, and then
sub-sections of the chapters appear once you're in one of them. Something
like:

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5

Once you click in Chapter 4, you would see:

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
  Subsection 1
  Subsection 2
  Subsection 2
Chapter 5

I don't know how extensive this manual is, but breaking it down so that the
user always knows where they are, and how to get elsewhere is advisable.

*** Better yet, don't think of it as mimicking a paper manual. Providing a
subject outline, or a searchable hyperlinked index would really be helpful.
When I was working for the University of Maryland, I began to put up an
employee manual. You can see how I did this at:
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/intranet/mce/mcehandbook/ (damn, it's supposed to
be private and someone broke the password protection...and my name is still
on it!). While it's by no means pretty, or even the best example, it's what
I can pull out of my hat right now.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Marlene