URL Vectoring

[SuzanneB]

I have this menu that it used on every page of a site that contains a number of URL's. The problem is that some of the URL's need to change whenever you modify the contents of the site. Now this is a real pain, because the menu is in a LOT of pages and it takes ages to edit all the pages. Not to mention the fact that it is real easy to make a mistake.
What I really need is a vector. So all the menu's point to this vector, which in turn points to the correct URL. When the URL changes, you just change the vector - not every page of HTML.
I can do this with Javascript, but how to make this search engine friendly? I can't think of a way :(

[sharkey]

Just an idea but why not use a server side language to include the menu and just use several different includes when the menu changes on the different pages.

[PhillMc]

I agree with sharky. The only way that it will be SE friendly is if it is done Server Side, either with ASP/X or PHP. This will also be less hassle because doing this in JavaScript will case your navigation to fail if it's not supported or is turned off.

You have learned a lot since you got here; maybe it's time to put a Server Side Scripting language under your belt. :D

[SuzanneB]

Hi!
Woosh - right over my head.

I don't even know what a Server Side Scripting language is.

Where do I look?

[Fang]

Which SSL (http://www.sitepoint.com/article/server-side-language-right)
Check which one(s) you provider supports.
Most providers support PHP, a start:
http://www.w3schools.com/php/default.asp
http://www.php.net/
and of course the PHP forum here.

It's quite easy to install a server (http://www.firepages.com.au/) on your own computer to run your PHP scripts for debugging before going live.