Output Position Admin

This is an advanced function which provides control over the order and positioning of functions in the HTML output.  It is intended mostly for use by web designers when setting up a style sheet.

The can be divided into up to 8 positioning blocks (physical columns, for example), and any function(s) can be included in a particular column.  Functions in Block 1, will be output before Block 2, and so on.  Within a particular block, the interface allows functions to be ordered.

For example, in a page where the following functions are used:

Unused functions (for example random graphics, search form, stocks and logo) will be left outside the positioning blocks, at the bottom of the page, in no particular order.  So the HTML in this example will be structured in this way:

<div class=block1 id=block1>

    <!-- Log_in-->...<!-- Log_in end-->

    <!-- Webcontent Part-->...<!-- Webcontent Part end-->

    <!--Fx part-->...<!--Fx part end-->

    <!-- Quick links-->...<!-- Quick links end-->

</div>

<div class=block2 id=block2>

    <!-- Random Text Part-->...<!-- Random Text End-->

    <!-- Combos Part-->...<!-- Combos Part end-->

    <!--Area links-->...<!--Area links end-->

</div>

<div class=block3 id=block3>

    <!--News part-->...<!--News end-->

    <!--Clocks part-->...<!--Clocks Part end-->

</div>

<div class=block4 id=block4></div>

<div class=block5 id=block5></div>

<div class=block6 id=block6></div>

<div class=block7 id=block7></div>

<div class=block8 id=block8></div>

<!-- Random graphic-->...<!-- Random graphic end-->

<!----- SearchForm ----->...<!----- SearchForm end----->

<!--Stocks part-->...<!--Stocks end-->

<!--- Logo --->...<!--- Logo end --->

Why use ordering and positioning blocks?

There are two ways in which stylesheets can position <DIV> and <SPAN> blocks:

• Absolute Positioning: every page element is positioned by specifying absolute co-ordinates.  This implies the restriction that the size of each element is known and constant, each time the page is written.  If three news items were absolutely positioned, white space would have to be left to allow for some news articles being shorter and others longer.

• Relative Positioning: every page element is positioned relative to its containing block, and in the order it is output in HTML.  If three news items were relatively positioned, they would be positioned one below the other, regardless of length.

In practice, a combination of both these positioning methods will be used in most stylesheets.  The Output Position Admin function gives a good deal of flexibility in ordering and positioning functions.  It does, however, have the restriction that functions can only be positioned as whole entities: for example, it is not possible for Combos 1-3 to be nested in a <DIV> block defined as a left-hand column, and Combos 4-9 nested in a <DIV> block defined as a right-hand column.  In this case, the columns in one column or other will have to be absolutely positioned.  (See Stylesheets for further information.)

Configuring functions within positioning blocks

1. As a logged-in admin user, click the Home Page Admin link from the Home Page, and choose the Output position Admin option.  

2. Plan the desired page layout from various perspectives.  For example, you might decide to optimise the order of blocks for the benefit of visiting search engine spiders... if you want a column containing three particular functions to appear as near to the top of the table, perhaps it should be in block 1.  At the same time, you may require news to appear at the top of a column, followed by random text articles, in which case that will be the order you will choose of functions within a particular block.

3. A column of icons down the right-hand side of each block allow you to add, delete or re-order functions.

• Adding a function: Click the icon to add a function.  A pop-up window will ask you to select a function.  (It is only possible to include a function which has not already been allocated.  If necessary delete it from one location to make it free to be added to another.)  You will be asked to complete the function adding process by clicking OK.

• Deleting a function: Click the function in your list which you want to remove from the block and then click the icon.  You will be asked to confirm the deletion by clicking OK.

• Re-ordering function: Click on a function in the list which you want to reorder, and click the or icon to move it up or down your list.

4. Changes to Output position Admin can be previewed before committing any changes you have made.  

5. To confirm any changes you have made, click Update.  (Clicking the Home Page or Home Page Admin links will also confirm your changes.)  To cancel any changes you have made since the last update, click the Cancel Changes link.