Visual DHTML
Netscape "Visual
DHTML" is a sample Dynamic HTML (DHTML) visual development tool
that's written in DHTML, runs in Navigator,
and lets you create your own Dynamic HTML-based content without writing any code yourself.
Note: This version of Visual DHTML requires JavaScript1.2.
We provide this tool for informational and testing
purposes only; it is not an official Netscape product, and we make no guarantees
about its reliability on any computing platform. Proceed at your own risk,
but we think you'll enjoy the tool and find it very useful.
INTRODUCTION
Visual DHTML is a free Web-based authoring tool that lets you
create interactive web content using the following DHTML technologies:
Check out the Features section for more information
on what you can do with Visual DHTML.
What's special about Visual DHTML is that the tool itself is written completely
in DHTML; you can develop DHTML with DHTML, including
dynamic widgets, components, kiosk-style pages, webtops, channels, and
other dynamic wizardry. The tool lets you build
DHTML without writing any HTML or JavaScript yourself; all you need to
do is select the elements you'd like to use from a series of menus, fill
in the text (or graphics), and publish the resulting web pages.
Launch Visual
DHTML!
Visual DHTML runs from a Navigator client window and can be hosted from standard HTTP Web servers or your computer's local hard disk.
GETTING STARTED
Start by launching a "New Page" from the Visual
DHTML tool. This will give you a "Preview Page" window to develop with.
Then select from the Menubar or Widgets palette to add items to your page.
Don't hesitate to experiment. You can use the "Undo" and "Redo" options
to go to your previous setting and re-set things at any time like traditional
authoring tools.
During the development of your page you can also drag your
items around and re-position them.
DEMO
The Visual DHTML tool has a built-in demo/tutorial in order to demonstrate
how the tool works. Select the "Demo" option from the Help menu via the
menubar.
FEATURES
The following are some useful features of the Visual DHTML tool:
-
Drag and Drop
-
Web-Based
-
Components-based Architecture
-
Properties Window
-
LiveConnect
-
Pre-built Widgets
-
Sample Code
-
Customization
-
Menu options such as "Undo" and "Redo"
-
Demo
Visual DHTML brings JavaScript1.2 and DHTML towards its full and future
potential and application level by bringing more traditionally low-level programming techniques
and features to Web-based scripting languages, such as implementing an object oriented, component-based ("Bean" style)
architecture with "Drag and Drop" functionality for quick and easy development,
and including several pre-built DHTML widgets, such as the dynamic Drawer and Ticker that
you can customize and component properties that you can modify. Also, if you like something
about the functionality of this tool, you can copy and paste the source
code by viewing the Page Source from Navigator.
USER LEVEL
Visual DHTML is ideal for all user levels. For beginners, you do not
need to know any DHTML, HTML, or nerdy technical stuff to develop DHTML
pages; all you do is select items and drag them where you want.
Advanced users can dig into the JavaScript code and component-based
architecture, such as the MenuBar, ToolBar, StatusBar, Dialog widget,
and customize things.
VERSION / COMPATIBILITY
Visual DHTML was originally created as a simple web-based prototype to show what you can do with DHTML, and to illustrate the new and improved features and capabilities of JavaScript1.2 and LiveConnect,
as well as to demonstrate that you can built and deploy real JavaScript/DHTML applications and/or re-usable components.
At the time of writing of this document, Visual DHTML was in a prototype/beta state.
Currently Netscape Navigator 4 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 support different object models.
This is not addressed, yet, in this beta version of Visual DHTML.
DOWNLOAD / CONNECTIVITY
On-line: Visual DHTML runs from a Navigator client window and can be hosted on-line from standard HTTP Web servers.
Therefore, virtually no disk space, no installation, and no update processes are required for users, unlike traditional software applications.
Off-line: You can also run Visual DHTML off-line from your computer's local hard disk.
Download and unzip the following archive containing all of the files for Visual
DHTML so you can run it locally.
- visualdhtml.zip
To view your DHTML page off-line, save the visual.js file to your hard drive
and point to it locally from within your code.
MORE EXAMPLES
Visual DHTML is free to the public, and you can
submit your URL
for possible posting here, if you use Visual DHTML for your page, such as the following sites have done:
RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
If you need technical support or other assistance, please visit the
support area.
Email your
comments and suggestions.
- Related Readings:
-
Any sample code included above is provided for your use on an "AS IS" basis, under the Netscape License Agreement - Terms of Use
