Getting Started!

Important note:

This template uses CSS-based layout, which means that the layout and columns are placed using CSS instead of in a table grid. Using CSS-based layout is W3C recommended and results in cleaner code, which means that your pages load faster and search engines may rank your pages better than they would if they were in a table format.

By offering you CSS-based layout instead of tables-based layout, we are helping to ensure that your web site is compliant with current web standards.

Flash Detection Script

This template uses the SWFObject (v1.4) Flash detection and embed script provided by Geoff Stearns at http://blog.deconcept.com/swfobject/. This script detects whether or not the user has the Flash player, and if it does, it loads in the Flash movie for them to view. If they don't have the Flash player, it displays your alternate content. The alternate content is what you see in your web editor (a static image or text).

The SWFObject script also resolves the IE update issue where embedded Flash movies require an extra click for interaction; using the script will allow viewers to interact with the Flash movie directly. The SWFObject script also allows your web site to have fully validated HTML.

Please be aware that the script may be updated occasionally, and it is your responsibility to visit the SWFObject site to check for updates and implement them.

Source Files Included

Photoshop CS2 files
Flash 8 files

Photoshop and Flash files are licensed for use with this web template only.

General Instructions

1. Setting up your web site.
   1. Create a new folder for your new template.
   2. Unzip your new files into the new folder.
   3. Within Dreamweaver, define a new site. From the main menu, select Site/New Site. Browse for the new folder that contains all of the new files.
2. Opening your new site.
   1. In the Files pane, usually on the right side, select your new site from the drop down window.
   2. Here you can view all of the new files.
   3. You will notice that there are three Library Item files (.lbi). These are the files that you will be editing to change the content of the header, footer and left navigation column.
3. Modifying your new site.
   1. Edit the Home page
      Open the file index.htm and edit accordingly.
   2. Add new pages
      Open the file subpage1.htm and select File/Save As from the top menu. Assign a new file name and add the new file address to your navigation menu.
   3. Rename existing pages
      If you would like to use an existing page but want to rename it, you may easily do this in the File pane. Lightly click on the file and rename. You may then need to modify the menu links with the new text.
   4. Delete pages from your site
      Select the file in the Files pane and hit the "Delete" key.
   5. Edit the header
      The header is a library item for your editing convenience. Open the file header1.lbi and edit the content, then save. To update all of your pages select Modify/Library/Update Pages from the top menu.
   6. Edit the footer
      The footer contains the copyright statement and is a library item for your editing convenience. Open the file footer1.lbi and edit the text, then save. To update all of your pages select Modify/Library/Update Pages from the top menu.
   7. Edit the left column
      The left column contains the main navigation menu, along with the news content. This is a library item for your editing convenience. Open the file main_nav1.lbi and edit the text, then save. To update all of your pages select Modify/Library/Update Pages from the top menu

Template Details