menu + ie6 & comments + actinic = aghhhh

[DarrenSpink]

Subject: menu + ie6 & comments + actinic = aghhhh

Hi, bit of an problem here and I know theres a way around somehow..(hopefully).

I have a multi column dropdown menu that uses css and conditional comments to support all browsers...the problem boy of the class being IE6 of course.

The menu and html works fine in a standard html page but when put into actinic, the program complains and messes it all up.

I found a similar post here:

http://community.actinic.com/showthread.php?t=37771

and a link about uncompressing here

http://community.actinic.com/showthread.php?t=32755

Uncompressing the site on messes about with the comments for example..heres a bit of the code before Actinic upload (certain things removed for obvious reasons):

<ul>
<li id="tab2" class=""><a href="#">clothing<!--[if gt IE 6]><!--></a><!--<![endif]--><!--[if lt IE 7]><table border="0"><tr><td><iframe src="javascript:false;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" width="0" height="0" title="" style="width:362px; height:437px;"></iframe><![endif]-->
<div class="wrapper twocols">
<div class="shadow">
<div class="container">
<div class="inner clearfix">
<div class="drop first">
<ul>
<li><a href="#">column 1</a></li>
</ul>
</div><!--first-->
<div class="drop last">
<ul>
<li><a href="#">column 2</a></li>
</ul>
</div><!--last-->
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div><!--[if lt IE 7]></td></tr></table></a><![endif]-->
</li>
</ul>



---------------------- > And after Actinic upload the first bits messed up, stripping certain comments and thus messing up the menu.

<ul>
<li id="tab2" class=""><a href="">clothing<!--[if gt IE 6]>></a><![endif]><table border="0"><tr><td><iframe src="javascript:false;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" width="0" height="0" title="" style="width:362px; height:437px;"></iframe><![endif]>
<div class="shadow">

.......etc


Is there any way round this? Norman mentioned something in one of the posts, but I don't get what he means "Create Variables that contain the problematic content as the default value and use them wherever said content is needed."


I have tried to include a file detailed in the AUG ie: <a rel="fragment" href=http://www.domain.com/menu.html but for some reason it surrounds the content in <span></span> which again messes up the menu.


If anyone can stop me from spinning around and point me in a good direction I would be very happy.

Darren

[leehack]

Can't you just serve up different stylesheets instead of inline code? You can also talk direct to IE6 using the * html hack, so maybe you don't even need different stylesheets. What is the problem you are trying to overcome and can you provide a live URL as it will make it much easier to correct?

[DarrenSpink]

Cheers for the reply lee, I can't give a live url unfortunatley.

Basically I need to know if somehow I can get Actinic to disregard the menu I have created. I can't use hacks or seperate stylesheets due the way the menu works.

If I can somehow hide it from Actinic so it just uploads what I want, that would be the answer.

or maybe If I can get rid of the <span></span> that surrounds the menu file thats being included online that could be a work around.

[gabrielcrowe]

mr hack is right, conditional comments are a bad workaround anyhow, compounding the differences between browsers.

i'd suggest you use a more standards compliant menu system

[DarrenSpink]

Haven't found an example of one unfortunately.

Does anyone know how to remove the <span></span> tags that are put in when you include a file dynamically?

[NormanRouxel]

but I don't get what he means "Create Variables that contain the problematic content as the default value and use them wherever said content is needed

Lets say you need to have code in a layout like <!--WURGLE but Actinic interferes with it.

So we create a Variable called Wurgle and set it's default value to be <!--WURGLE. And in your layout put <actinic:variable name="Wurgle" />

If you don't know how to create Variables then the Starter Guide (around page 73) is your friend.

[DarrenSpink]

Ok Norman, thanks a lot for explaining that... will let everyone know.

[DarrenSpink]

mmmm seem to be doing something wrong here.

I have created a new variable for the conditions, here 1 as an example:

<actinic:variable name="<!--[if gt IE 6]><!-->" />

But Actinic says: Variable is not defined.

Ive attached an image of what I have got.

Sorry for having my hand held..

[leehack]

You need to create a new variable in the design library and then insert that variable into your layout with the said text inside it. You can't just plonk any random text into a variable definition within a layout and expect actinic to recognise it.

ie create a variable called GTIE6 or anything you want, then put your gobbledygook inside it, then reference it in your layout.

[NormanRouxel]

Best work through the Starter Guide article I mentioned.

[DarrenSpink]

I think its the name of the variables - just changed them to non-code (a word), and waiting for upload to complete.

[DarrenSpink]

All sorted, thanks so much chaps.

I was using a variable name with a character at the beginning, obviously Actinic didn't like that.

The menus working a treat!

[NormanRouxel]

I was using a variable name with a character at the beginning, obviously Actinic didn't like that

Erm. That's what a Variable name should have at the beginning!

[DarrenSpink]

no I mean a character as in */{<- etc

thanks again

[NormanRouxel]

Sorry. Didn't understand that you meant a special character. The variable naming convention is such a basic thing that it never occurred to me that someone would want to name a variable so.