DHTML Menu Turmoil - Can anyone please advise?

They have: 82 posts

Joined: Jun 2002

Evening all,

I wonder if I may pick upon your collective brains to dig me out of my DHTML turmoil please?

I have added a DHTML navigation menu (a Free proprietary one-level thing) to a Website I'm in the process of designing but it keeps throwing up error messages and will not work.

I've been through the code with a fine tooth comb and checked and rechecked it to the best of my ability but I hate to say it I'm completely snookered although it's probably a case of not being able to see the wood for the trees (I've done it successfuly before on a previous Site - honestly) Smiling

Can anyone recommend an online Javascript/DHTML checker (if such a thing exists)?

Or (and I hate to ask) can I post the code here for your expert perusal?

Please?

Thanks in anticipation

Andrew

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

Post an url for the page so we can see the errors, and an url for the source of the dhtml menu. The original url for the dhtml menu (the creator) as well would be helpful.

They have: 82 posts

Joined: Jun 2002

Thanks for the reply Suzanne.

Here's my TEST URL, please bear in mind that design-wise it's very much a work in progress.
The Internet Treehouse

The URL for the DHTML source is DHTML Menu_Data

Opencube are the creator

Thanks again

Andrew

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

Error: unterminated string literal
Source File: http://www.dannybaker.force9.co.uk/NewTreehouse/menu_data.js
Line: 188, Column: 17
Source Code:
DQM_subdesc5_0 = "Games

Error: DQM_divider_height is not defined
Source File: http://www.dannybaker.force9.co.uk/NewTreehouse/dqm_script.js
Line: 1

Error: showMenu is not defined

Error: hideMenu is not defined

***

You can fix the first error easily enough (add the missing "), the second on as well (add the height).

The not defined errors indicate that there is something missing in your code. Is the function named correctly?

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

In N7, go to Tools > Web Development > JavaScript Console for a good listing of the errors.

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

IME, DHTML menus tend to be more trouble than they're worth. You may want to consider a different method of navigation.

They have: 82 posts

Joined: Jun 2002

Suzanne

Many, many thanks!

You're a genius, got it all sussed, much appreciated.

Regards

Andrew

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

Glad you got it working -- do look at alternative navigation options as Megan suggested, too, though. DHTML isn't always the most userfriendly option. Smiling

They have: 82 posts

Joined: Jun 2002

Suzanne/Megan

Out of interest what would the alternatives be for the Site bearing in mind for example that I want my Radio link to link to a further 4 sub-links? In fact all the main navigation links would link to a number of sub-menus?

Thanks

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

You can use server-side scripting to reveal links, or use a different layout that allows for sub-navigation. That latter is probably ideal for most situations, but you'll want to examine your audiences needs and determine what is best from that.

They have: 82 posts

Joined: Jun 2002

Thanks Suzanne

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

It would be good if we could see your site too - that way we might be able to offer more specific suggestions.

They have: 82 posts

Joined: Jun 2002

Sorry for the delay Megan
http://www.dannybaker.force9.co.uk/NewTreehouse/index.htm

Also (and sorry Suzzanne if it's the wrong forum for this) but this "Test" page isn't bearing up too well in the browser compatability stakes - specifically my "control" Netscape 4.6.
Any tips as to why much appreciated.
Regards

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

Not sure why, other than the dhtml menu. It's just a table layout? It works just fine in N.8/mac and I've not noticed a lot of differences between mac and pc, despite hearing that N4.x/mac was the worst browser on the planet, it seems to be just as bad as N4.x/pc... ;

What's not working?

They have: 82 posts

Joined: Jun 2002

Hi Suzanne

Please see this screen-print of the Site viewed from Netscape 4.6

I've basically lost the background colours of the left hand navigation table and the centre content table?

Thanks

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

That's hysterically funny if N4.x/mac is better than N4.x/pc... Smiling

Try using both #hexhex and an image.

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