Is there any quicker way to do something like this?

[D3Sign]

Hi!

I am updating a webpage and I noticed that the entire thing needs minor touch-ups (yet it's all virtually the same thing).

I'm wondering if there's a way to update an entire site in a much quicker way? I am using Dreamweaver 8, and I'm not an expert in it unfortunately, but i do know that there's some way to make a template and then apply it to everything ? Maybe I've misunderstood this?

Thanks for your help!

[Centauri]

Dreamweaver templates are a pain, so I don't use them. I think the pages have to be created from the template - I don't think you could "apply" a template to existing pages.

All visual presentation should be defined in an external css file, and this should be referenced site-wide, so if the "minor touch-ups" are the visual look of the site, changes made to the css should be reflected on each page.

If you have common content on each page that you would like to regularly update, then such content could be put into an external file and included on each page (or the variable content included on a fixed page) using server-side technology like SSI or PHP, depending on what the server supports.

[ryanbutler]

I think the pages have to be created from the template - I don't think you could "apply" a template to existing pages.

Incorrect...I do it all the time.

All visual presentation should be defined in an external css file, and this should be referenced site-wide, so if the "minor touch-ups" are the visual look of the site, changes made to the css should be reflected on each page.

You can still use templates for the structure. Though I do agree, templates are big pain in the rear.

[KDLA]

Incorrect...I do it all the time.

But many problems can creep up, and if not formatted correctly, you can overwrite existing content. I do it all the time. :p

As Centauri pointed out, the method you choose to update your pages is dependent upon the type of changes you wish to implement.

I agree with the negative opinions about DW templates. They are a big pain in the rear to deal with, especially if you have to adjust one thing in one page, outside an editable region. I suggest that you consider server-side includes, which operate similarly to a template (pulling components from single files), but offer much more flexibility.

KDLA

[ryanbutler]

But many problems can creep up, and if not formatted correctly, you can overwrite existing content. I do it all the time. :p

That's why you use Cntrl + Z (undo). :p

I suggest that you consider server-side includes, which operate similarly to a template (pulling components from single files), but offer much more flexibility.

The is actually worse in my opinion. SSI for navigation is fine, but for different parts of pages, makes for a real interesting experience. Been there, done that for a another website I took over and despise the approach. I'd agree with Centauri, come up with a one page template (HTML and CSS) and create duplicates off of that, unless you have a reason for templates, such as in Macromedia Contribute.

[KDLA]

We use them for the banner, navigation, disclaimer and footers..... just about everything except the actual content. Can't say that we've had a problem, but I guess it's just dependent upon your layout.

KDLA

[landslide]

If its the same problem on all the pages. Fix the problem on one and then copy code and do a find and replace to fix the code on the other pages. You have to be carefule though or youll mess them all up worse. But if you do it right you can fix problems in minuites.