Webmaster Series
Multicolumn Layouts and Web Grids.
By Jorge Blanco
Introduction
When we talk about layouts and design ideas, it is common for most of the
people (except probably artists) to imagine a square layout; simple, probably
with just one or two columns and probably a banner on top. It has been that
way since the graphical browsers became popular. However, nowadays it has
become more and more important to break out of these aging ideas and start
with fresh, new concepts. I have been hearing the term "grid" to
refer to one of these new concepts; it's basically just subdividing the page
into smaller areas each one assigned a piece of content and usually very well
delimited. It is the logical evolution of the classic square layout that I
mentioned before.
So if you are interested in developing a complex layout that allows many
different types of content mix together and get along well and that is both
fresh and exciting, read along these few pages as you dive into this creative
concept. These are the topics that will be covered:
1. Page Areas - Any page has its areas
into which it can be divided. It is important to get to know them and their
importance, both to the developer and the user.
2. The basic grid - Expanding from
the page areas we create a basic grid and explain a bit more what will be
put into them.
3. Expanding the grid - When the basic
grid just doesn't give you enough space to work and layout your content it's
important to broaden your horizon.
4. Not "standard compliant" grids
- Up until now we have stuck to the common definition of "grid",
but sometimes rules can be broken.
5. The table approach - The first approach
to grid building, an ancient technique put at the service of the raising technologies.
6. The layer approach - The most common
approach in the new era. The one built on the shoulders of the table. An all-around
method effective enough to satisfy most demands on the technical side yet
simple enough not to overwhelm the developer.
7. The frame approach - Another approach
to this concept. Although not widely supported it has both advantages and
drawbacks. See them here.
8. The dynamic approach - Building
on top of any of the previous methods, dynamic, server side scripting can
greatly enhance any complex layout to keep it from becoming too difficult
to handle.
9 Client side dynamic approach - There
are some tricks that not even server side includes can pull off, here is where
the client side scripting takes over and handles the situation.
10. Beyond the grid - There is more
to web grids than what has been discussed, so why stay in the dark when you
can come up to the light and discover the full potential of these techniques.
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