Thyon:
Thank you for posting a response, these are excellent ideas and suggestions!
I'm already using the 960 grid system to split up different areas of the page as you are doing. I use the ce_wrap and ce_break for their visual cues for my clients to be able to see different sections in the article area, and for consistency in our build-outs.
Couple of things we're doing here:
1. More modular use of articles using the ce_wrap and ce_break. We use the structure below to turn off/on custom sections as needed on a page with a mouse click and the content moves up without breaking the layout and still validates.
HEADER
Code:
ce_wrap headerBkgr
ce_wrap container_12
ce_wrap g5
content
ce_wrap end
ce_wrap g7
content
ce_wrap end
ce_wrap end
ce_wrap end
ce_break
CUSTOM SECTION (SLIDE SHOW)
Code:
ce_wrap id feature
ce_wrap container_12
ce_wrap g5
content
ce_wrap end
ce_wrap g7
content
ce_wrap end
ce_wrap end
ce_wrap end
ce_break
MAIN CONTENT AREA
Code:
ce_wrap container_12
ce_wrap g3
content
ce_wrap end
ce_wrap g9
content
ce_wrap end
ce_wrap end
ce_break
FOOTER
Code:
ce_wrap navBkgrBeach
ce_wrap container_12
ce_wrap g8
content
ce_wrap end
ce_wrap g4
content
ce_wrap end
ce_wrap end
ce_wrap end
2. Like you, I like the idea of using the grids to break up the main content area into columns, but depending on the client and the layout of the graphics, we find the occasional use of the fixed left / right / both columns useful. The problem has always been how to get the container_12 into the mix with variable layouts. My solution is to modify the xhtml/html5 template to add it in as a hard call:
Code:
<div id="container">
<div class="container_12">
</div>
</div>
For most of our websites I'm not a fan of variable width websites but this lets us use the same template for either no columns main content area or one that uses the contao layout setup.
3. Your suggestion about the includes and the hidden page layout are appreciated. I've been using the Home Page articles as the "driver" for the header and footer content, and then using content boxes to attach these to the pages. Your idea about the includes may be a better option and I will definitely look at that.
Also the css suggestion to turn "off" the margin calls for the grid system as needed I think will be useful going forward.
4. BTW, I really like your thyon_basic extension, it is a real time saver for us. I like to deploy websites with a basic load of extensions as "Value Added" for our clients, and your thyon_basic is always the first one we start with.
Again thanks for the excellent suggestions. I learn something new about Contao every day, and you've got me thinking here about some improvements we can add in.
Ernest McDermon
Snellville, GA
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