WWW pages about Scouting: What about "Netscape Enhancements?"
Description
This article is from the Scouting FAQ, by Bill Nelson nelsonb@nospam.aztec.asu.edu, Soaring Golden Eagle eagle@rangernet.org and Alan Houser troop24@emf.net with numerous contributions by others.
WWW pages about Scouting: What about "Netscape Enhancements?"
Date: Wed, 4 Sep 1996
From: Alan Houser <troop24@emf.net>
While it is estimated that 80% of web surfers are using Netscape or
Internet Explorer, which permit some extensions to the HTML standard,
it isn't nessarily so for the folks who will be visiting your pages.
Some enhancements do not impact the file's readability with Mosaic or
even Lynx, but others (especially tables) become a complete mess if the
browser doesn't support them. You should offer a text-only or standard
HTML page alternative for such visitors.
Also note that some authors will overdo it with the HTML extensions,
especially backgrounds. Backgrounds should be kept as neutral as
possible. A busy background will often make it difficult to read a
page, and strong colors will also obscure the text. Keep the background
light and simple.
Frames seem to be the latest fad for "Netscape Enhanced" pages. But
very few pages with frames are set up for easy use. One of the main
problems is moving backwards in a chain: most pages with frames do not
allow you to back up because each page must have a backward pointer.
And if an anchor points to a page outside the local site, there is no
easy way to return to the local site without starting over from the
beginning. Some browsers do allow you to back up by right-clicking
in the frame (PC) or clicking and holding in the frame (Mac), but most
casual users are probably not going to know that.
Subect: What should I include on my pages ?
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 1995
From: David Jansen <David.Jansen@strw.LeidenUniv.nl>
Also-From: Alan Houser <troop24@emf.net>
This of course depends on the type of page you are preparing, but
in general, you should mention whether or not your page is
"official". Again, look at other pages for ideas.
BSA members should note that BSA does not support any official use
of the InterNet beyond its own informational page. Read this
<a href="http://www.emf.net/~troop24/council/disclaimer.html">
disclaimer</a> from BSA which appeared about 9 months before its
web site appeared. Because it has no control over the content of
any page other than its own (and perhaps eventually, official pages
by local councils), don't expect BSA to recognize any web sites.
E-mail Address:
==============
Be sure to include your name and e-mail address for feedback,
or better, if possible, include a mail form or a "mailto:" link.
But don't leave off the email address, because not everyone will have
forms support, or some folks will see only a printout of your page.
Return to Home Page:
===================
Include an anchor or button that will allow a visitor to return
to your home page. Some browsers reportedly don't handle back ups
very well; even more likely, someone may come in from another path.
For example, if you have a council-level page, it may get listed
separately from your unit home page in some of the master lists, so
some visitors to the council page may not be aware of your home page.
What's New
==========
To encourage return visitors, have a What's New page so that they
can see what's been added since their last visit without having to
go through everything else. For those sites with a What's New page,
I will save a bookmark to that page so that I can go there directly.
But, if you have a What's New page, be sure to use it. Otherwise, I
won't know what you've added and won't know to look for it.
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