Goodies to Go ™
May 26, 2003–Newsletter #234
This newsletter is part of the internet.com network.
http://www.internet.com
Featured this week:
* Goodies Thoughts – Date Palms or Date
Parms?
* Q & A Goodies
* News Goodies
* Goodies Peer Reviews
* Feedback Goodies
* And Remember This…
Goodies Announcement
Just in case you missed
it before, the new Beyond HTML Goodies book is now available!
Go beyond the basics
and learn how the pros add and use dynamic HTML features and advanced
JavaScript techniques. Beyond HTML Goodies demonstrates dozens of new and
different features readers can add to their existing Web pages using HTML and
JavaScript. The book starts with simple text and image tips, such as adding a
clock to a Web page or causing text to appear when the mouse moves over an
image. It gradually builds to more complex tricks, including manipulating forms
or working with cookies behind the scenes. Throughout the book, readers enjoy
Joe’s snappy style and “to the point” discussion of each “goody” in the book.
http://books.internet.com/books/0789727803
Goodies Thoughts – Date Palms or Date
Parms?
"It’s Tuesday," you’re probably saying to yourself, "why am I receiving my
Goodies To Go today instead of yesterday? It usually comes every Monday." "A
good question;" I would respond, had you said it out loud and to me, "there is
an explanation. Yesterday was a Holiday — Memorial Day." "What day?" you
say. I had forgotten that you are in Norway; yesterday wasn’t a holiday in
Norway. In the UK it was the Spring Bank Holiday, which doesn’t mean too much in
the USA, but in Norway it was the day after Sunday.
This all goes to highlight a problem that is at the root of an important web
design consideration. We must never forget what corner of the world we are in,
and what other corner of the world our audience may be in. If you are designing
a website strictly for the use of your fellow countryfolk, then you probably
know all the customs and traditions that you need to bear in mind. It may be
worth considering, however, how confusing your site might be to a visitor from
foreign parts. "WWW" is, after all, the "World Wide" Web!
Think about 7/4, for example. "Independence Day!" whoop our American readers
right away, while across the ocean our British readers ask "what’s so special
about the seventh of April?" Independence Day is the fourth of July. Not only
must we remember that the fourth of July doesn’t mean anything much anywhere
except in the USA, but that the date itself is written down differently in
different parts of the world. If you use the numerical representation of a date,
you are likely to cause confusion somewhere, at least part of the time (12/24
might be clear to everybody, even if they would normally write 24/12.) While our
Norwegian reader might write the twenty-fourth of July "24-7", that might well
be interpreted by an American as "twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week,"
which just adds to the confusion.
Dates are one example, time is another, and currency another. Tradition also has
a part to play. In the USA, "with" is frequently abbreviated to "w/", which
doesn’t mean anything to the English, except those that have adopted American
habits (our Norwegian, however, will often abbreviate "med" to "m/".) Why so
short a word needs abbreviating I’m not quite certain!
Having identified the problem, the most useful thing for me to do would be to
provide you with the solution. Unfortunately in this case, it’s not quite so
simple. The problem here changes with who you are, and who your audience is.
While the problem may never quite go away, it can be diminished by a little
careful thought on the part of the designer. Dates expressed in words, for
example, are less likely to be misinterpreted than those expressed numerically.
If you use things from your own culture, religion or tradition, and you are
targeting a global audience, you could explain each reference as you use it.
Personally, I’m greatly in favor of people doing this, because exposure to
religions, cultures and traditions other than my own tends to make the world a
more interesting place to be.
Finally, remember also that there are traditions within groups also. For
example, a programmer using dates within program parameters may reference "date
parms" which, to normal people (ie, non-programmer types <grin>) sound just like
a tropical tree.
Thanks for Reading!
– Vince Barnes
Q & A Goodies
Questions are taken from submissions to our Community Mentors. You can ask a Mentor a question by going to
https://www.htmlgoodies.com/mentors.
Q. In a web site that I created I made a catalog order form that has a
description of an item, a checkbox to select and a textbox for amount to order.
The code I have is:
<form name="form1" method="post" action="mailto:Person@person.net?subject=Catalog
Order Form1" enctype = "text/plain">
<p>
<input type = "hidden" name = "recipient"
value = Person@person.net />
<input type = "hidden" name = "subject"
value = "Custodial Order Form1" />
</p>
When the submit button is clicked, it goes to the recepient. But the text/plain
shows items selected and amount but it also shows amounts not selected i.e.:
ven no:1111, item description
AMOUNT=5
AMOUNT=
AMOUNT=
AMOUNT=
(Etc)
All I want is for the items selected be shown and not all of the AMOUNT= not
selected.
A. This is one reason why Server Side languages such as PHP or Perl are
used. They allow you to manipulate the form data before it is emailed out. They
also work better because some people do not have their email clients set up
properly causing the email not to be sent. Having said that though I think your
best bet would be to have two forms – one that gathers the information and a
second with a hidden element that is actually sent. When they click the submit
button the data from the first form is validated, formated and then placed in
the hidden form hidden element to be sent. Here is an example of one that I put
together for someone else:
<html>
<head>
<title>Order Form</title>
<script language="JavaScript">
function calcamt(num)
{
var qtynum=eval("document.myform.qty"+num+".selectedIndex")
var number=eval("document.myform.szeshp"+num+".selectedIndex")
var sizeshape=eval
("document.myform.szeshp"+num+"[number].value.split(‘,’)")
eval("document.myform.price"+num+".value=sizeshape[1] * qtynum")
var pricenum=parseFloat(eval
("document.myform.price"+num+".value"))
var whole = "" + Math.round(pricenum * Math.pow(10, 2));
var decPoint = whole.length – 2;
if(decPoint != 0)
{
result = whole.substring(0, decPoint);
result += ".";
result += whole.substring(decPoint, whole.length);
}
else
{
result = whole;
}
eval("document.myform.price"+num+".value=result")
totalamt()
}
function qtyreset(numa)
{
if(eval("document.myform.item"+numa+".checked"))
{
}
else
{
alert("You must select the item")
return false
}
eval("document.myform.qty"+numa+".selectedIndex=0")
eval("document.myform.price"+numa+".value=’0.00’")
}
function totalamt()
{
var tempamt=0
for(i=0;i<3;i++)
{
var tamt=parseFloat(eval("document.myform.price"+i+".value"))
tempamt=tempamt+tamt
}
var whole = "" + Math.round(tempamt * Math.pow(10, 2));
var decPoint = whole.length – 2;
if(decPoint != 0)
{
result = whole.substring(0, decPoint);
result += ".";
result += whole.substring(decPoint, whole.length);
}
else
{
result = whole;
}
document.myform.totamt.value=result
}
function Formcheck()
{
document.sendit.sdata.value="r Item
Size Qty Pricer"
for(i=0;i<3;i++)
{
if(eval("document.myform.item"+i+".checked"))
{
var fitem=eval("document.myform.item"+i+".value")
var fnum=eval("document.myform.szeshp"+i+".selectedIndex")
var fsize=eval
("document.myform.szeshp"+i+"[fnum].value.split(‘,’)")
var fqtynum=eval("document.myform.qty"+i+".selectedIndex")
var fqty=eval("document.myform.qty"+i+"[fqtynum].value")
var fprice=eval("document.myform.price"+i+".value")
document.sendit.sdata.value+="r"+fitem+" "+fsize[0]
+"@ "+fsize[1]+" each "+fqty+" "+fprice+"r"
}
}
document.sendit.sdata.value+="Total
Amount="+document.myform.totamt.value
}
</script>
</head>
<body bgcolor="lightgreen">
<center>
<br>
<h2>Oder Form</h2>
<br>
ITEM         SIZE/SHAPE          
  QTY     PRICE    
<form name="myform">
<input type="radio" name="item0" value="Paper Clips"> Paper Clips
<select name="szeshp0" onchange="qtyreset(‘0’)">
<option value="Small Paper Clips ,2.53" selected>Small Paper
Clips</option>
<option value="Large Paper Clips ,3.45">Large Paper Clips</option>
</select>
<select name="qty0" onchange="calcamt(‘0’)">
<option value="0" selected>0</option>
<option value="1">1</option>
<option value="2">2</option>
<option value="3">3</option>
</select>
<input type="text" name="price0" value="0.00" size="10" onfocus="this.blur ()">
<br><br>
<input type="radio" name="item1" value="Pencils "> Pencils    
 
<select name="szeshp1" onchange="qtyreset(‘1’)">
<option value="No2 Pencils ,1.23" selected>No2 Pencils  
      </option>
<option value="No4 Pencils ,1.74">No4 Pencils </option>
</select>
<select name="qty1" onchange="calcamt(‘1’)">
<option value="0" selected>0</option>
<option value="1">1</option>
<option value="2">2</option>
<option value="3">3</option>
</select>
<input type="text" name="price1" value="0.00" size="10" onfocus="this.blur ()">
<br><br>
<input type="radio" name="item2" value="Staples "> Staples    
 
<select name="szeshp2" onchange="qtyreset(‘2’)">
<option value="Small Staples ,2.12" selected>Small Staples
</option>
<option value="Large Staples ,2.34">Large Staples    
  </option>
</select>
<select name="qty2" onchange="calcamt(‘2’)">
<option value="0" selected>0</option>
<option value="1">1</option>
<option value="2">2</option>
<option value="3">3</option>
</select>
<input type="text" name="price2" value="0.00" size="10" onfocus="this.blur ()">
<br><br>
Total
<input type="text" name="totamt" size="10" onfocus="this.blur()">
</form>
<form name="sendit" method="post" action="mailto:mail@me.com?subject=Order
Form" enctype="text/plain" onsubmit="return Formcheck()">
<input type="hidden" name="sdata">
<input type="submit" value="Send It">   <input type="reset"
value="Clear Form" onClick="document.myform.reset()">
</form>
</center>
</body>
</html>
Q. I am trying to use code from one of the Javascript Tips (41) to
produce a form element that will open a page into a frame. The code works great
for one form element. I want to place 2 form elements next to each other, with
different choices, but I want them to work the same way by opening a page into a
frame. I’ve tried several configurations but I can’t seem to get it to work. If
I duplicate the code, but change the form name and select name, only one works.
(code sample provided)
A. I think you will find this example a little more efficient. It uses the
onChange event in the select tag to perform the function. At the same time it
passes the link in the value tag of the option statement to the function. Just
remember to name your dropdowns differently.
<html>
<head>
<title>Drop Down Test</title>
<script language="javascript">
function LinkUp(linkid)
{
if(linkid!="")
{parent.frames[2].location=linkid}
}
</script>
</head>
<body bgcolor="lightgreen">
<form name="DropDown">
<select name="DDlinksa" onchange="LinkUp(this.options [this.selectedIndex].value)">
<option selected value="">Choose a Link
<option value="https://www.htmlgoodies.com"> HTML Goodies</option>
<option value="http://www.wsabstract.com"> Website
Abstraction</option>
<option value="http://www.requestcode.com"> Request Code</option>
</select>
<select name="DDlinksb" onchange="LinkUp(this.options [this.selectedIndex].value)">
<option selected value="">Choose a Link
<option value="https://www.htmlgoodies.com"> HTML Goodies</option>
<option value="http://www.wsabstract.com"> Website
Abstraction</option>
<option value="http://www.requestcode.com"> Request Code</option>
</select>
</form>
</body>
</html>
Q. I uploaded some files via ftp and everything seemed ok, but when i go
to look at the site I get the old test pages not the new pages. I have several
machines all connecting to the internet via the same adsl router. I have cleared
out the browser cache and history on all the machines, rebooted them, connected
to the website and I’m still getting the old pages. But, if I use
www.anonymizer.com I get the new pages!
A. You mention that you are using an "adsl setup". This has been known to
cause caching problems. In the settings for your adsl modem look for the "webproxy"
setting. Make sure that there is NOT a check in the box. If there is, "un-check"
the box and look at the website again. You may or may not have to re-boot after
making this change.
News Goodies
Leaders Confront Tech Talent Shortage
[May 27, 2003] Given all the recent layoffs, you’d think the pipeline of
engineering talent would be the last thing troubling CEOs. You’d
be wrong.
Click
here to read the article
Linksys has First 11g-to-Ethernet Adapter
[May 27, 2003] The company has announced what it calls the Wireless-G
Ethernet Bridge, a unit that will let any thing with an existing Ethernet
port get on the wireless network.
Click
here to read the article
MySQL Takes Database Reins from SAP
[May 27, 2003] MySQL will take over the development of SAP’s
open-source database, in the hopes of raising its own profile in the market.
Click here to read the article
Congress Splits on Defense IT Spending
[May 27, 2003] House wants $1.7 billion in cuts to force spending below 2003
levels. Senate, Bush push for full funding.
Click here to read the article
Intel Launches Xeon-focused SMB Program
[May 27, 2003] The No. 1 chipmaker pushes its workhorse server chips
with the help of partners and incentives. China, India, Brazil, Mexico and
Russia, to get the red-carpet treatment.
Click here to read the article
Digitally Archiving the Universe
[May 27, 2003] National Center for Supercomputing Applications using Linux
clusters to help build Digital Virtual Observatory.
Click here to read the article
AT&T To Offer Wireless Bundle
[May 27, 2003] With plans to bundle long distance and wireless services on
one bill, is it back to the future for the telco?
Click here to read the article
Is F# a Major or Minor Consideration for Microsoft?
[May 23, 2003] A new programming language from Microsoft for its .NET
platform riles up debate among developers and analysts.
Click here to read the article
House Panel Oks Internet Tax Moratorium
[May 23, 2003] Excluding sales taxes, measure would
permanently bar taxes on Internet access.
Click here to read the article
Gates Sends Letter on Spam to Congress
[May 21, 2003] Microsoft seeks combined legal and technical
solution; experts see legislation imminent.
Click here to read the article
Every week a site selected each week for review. Each week,
reviews of the previous week’s selected site are chosen for
publication on the HTML Goodies website.
The current week’s selected site is published in Goodies To
Go and in the Peer Reviews section of the website.
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If you would like to have your site reviewed, sign up for
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left side of this page.
For full details about this program, see
https://www.htmlgoodies.com/peerreviews
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Ploof! It now is!
If you would like to comment on the newsletter or expand/improve on something
you have seen in here, you can now send your input to:
mailto:nlfeedback@htmlgoodies.com
We already receive a lot of email every day. This address will help us sort out
those relating specifically to this newsletter from all the rest. When you send
email to this address it may wind up being included in this section of the
newsletter, to be shared with your fellow readers.
Please don’t send your questions to this address.
They should be sent to our mentors: see
https://www.htmlgoodies.com/mentors/
Many thanks for your complements about recent newsletters. I
enjoy writing them as much as you apparently enjoy reading
them!
David Venn-Brown had the following comments about my
suggested use of tables for page layouts:
"Although tables perform the function well, they lack the
separation of content and presentation that make a site easy
to create and maintain. Tables are strictly speaking for
tabular data only. They do work, but are not the best way.
CSS and <.div> tags are a far more reasonable option for new
websites, although the worth in converting old designs would
be limited. With this method, equally stunning, if not more
stunning, presentations can be made to the user.
The ability to make the presentation a CSS file allows the
site to be easily maintained and altered, while making the
HTML less cluttered and easier to work with."
While I don’t think I agree with you about the limitations
of the use of tables, David, I do agree that CSS has some
interesting things to offer for page layouts. It has not
been extensively covered in HTML Goodies, however, and is
not so widely used as the table mechanism. I might write a
piece about it for a future newsletter, however. Many thanks
for the suggestion.
Top
And Remember This . . .
On this day in…
We get a bonus day today:
First, May 26 — the day the newsletter would
normally go out:
1981 First Software Patent Granted
After seven years of battle in the courts, computer
programmer and patent attorney S. Pal Asija was granted a
patent for his software program "SwiftAnswer". Prior to this
case, software programs were considered copyrightable
writings, as opposed to patentable inventions. This case set
the legal precedent for future software patents.
Born today were: in 1886, singer Al Jolson; 1907,
actor John Wayne (Marion Morrison); 1908, actor
Robert Morley (Adolph Wilton); 1913, actor Peter
Cushing; 1948, singer Stevie (Stephanie) Nicks;
1949, singer Hank Williams
And today (your bonus day):
1937 Golden Gate Bridge Opens
having taken five years to build, the 4,200 foot wide Golden
Gate Bridge was opened to the public on May 27, 1937.
The bridge spans the Golden Gate Strait in the entrance to
San Francisco Harbor. Two days later, the bridge was opened
to vehicular traffic.
Born today were: in 1794, capitalist Cornelius
Vanderbilt; 1837, US Marshall and Forntiersman Wild
Bill (James) Hickok; 1907, "Silent Spring" author
Rachel Carson; 1911, actor Vincent Price; 1922,
actor Christopher Lee; 1923, Henry Kissinger; 1936,
actor Lou Gossett; 1943, singer Cilla Black
(Priscilla Maria Veronica White);
Thanks for reading Goodies to Go!
