A top website begins with top architecture

[frobn]

I am putting together several css/xhtml templates which I plan to make available for free from my web site when they are completed. These css/xhtml tableless structures are based on html designs from the public domain or under a GLP license. Credit is given in the source code. The underlying architecture is tableless and based on state-of-the-art web standards to take advantage of user and search engine friendliness.

Here are some screen image of the templates These css/xhtml tableless structures are based on html designs from the public domain or under a GLP license. Credit is given in the source code. The underlying architecture is tableless and based on state-of-the-art web standards to take advantage of user and search engine friendliness.
Here are some screen image of the templates

1. Easy Colors This template was designed for easy color changes and modifications. It uses only one background image for the left column and all colors can be changed from the css file.

http://cssdesignmagic.com/colors/colors_scr.jpg

2. South Beach - Using the basic Easy Colors template I was able to build this template in 20 minutes

http://cssdesignmagic.com/colors/sobe_scr.jpg

3. Blue Boxes - a simple elegant design

http://cssdesignmagic.com/colors/blue_boxes.jpg

4. Faux Column I call this one Faux Column because the columns are simulated with css using background images. It was my first insight into a much more creative css technique. This technique is now used in most of my designs.

http://cssdesignmagic.com/colors/faux_col.jpg

All the templates use current web standards and are built for easy modification. I am trying to gage the interest in offering free designs in return for a link back, feedback on the idea and/or the designs is appreciated. My purpose is two fold: 1) spread the use of web standards and 2) for promotion

For more information on my real estate development ideas and techniques look at: http://broadwayrealtyfl.com

[judyo]

I would be very interested but I'm so used to using template sites (like my two Point2 Agent sites below) and site builders (provided by my web host for a 3rd site I'm working on) I'd need to know how to utilize a template like this.

[frobn]

I would be very interested but I'm so used to using template sites (like my two Point2 Agent sites below) and site builders (provided by my web host for a 3rd site I'm working on) I'd need to know how to utilize a template like this.

I don't know how point2 works but templates are a shell for your content. You can make static pages with a template or use it to load the page content dynamically.

The templates I will offer are easily configured to add your content to the content area and that is all there is to it. The only caution is that all divisions must be properly closed.

I did look at the point2 source code and they use a quite a bit of outdated and propritary code. I am an advocate of web standards because it makes for a better web and better surfing experience.

[judyo]

I've been told that Point2 uses some nasty coding & was even asked if I was trying to use cloaking techniques. That's why I won't upgrade with them. These sites were my beginner websites but have ranked well in Yahoo & MSN (used to be #1 for several search terms until I changed my domain name & Point2 didn't handle the redirect properly). Am working my way back & have reached #1 with some terms in MSN again. I would have dumped them otherwise. I'll leave them since they're so town specific & I just changed brokerages and the main

With Point2 I have to choose from their templates. I'm working on another site that offers templates associated with their 3rd party editing program. However, with this web host I can utilize FTP and other things (that I don't understand) so I'm thinking I could utilize other css/html templates.

[simpsond]

Have you looked into XML and XSL? If not, I suggest you check it out. Very usefull for templating.

[webmaster]

Frobn, I think it is a great idea from a link back perspective, however I think what Judy is referring to about her "template" is that she has a backend with WYSIWYG and other features so that she does not have to know any html or CSS.

These will work great for any realtor with coding knowlege however to get even more people interested (Those that dont know code) You could put together a CSS coding tutorial to go along with your templates that way non coders could play around with them

Have you considered the situation where people would simply take the template and remove the link? There really is no way to force people to keep it, and I think many people might remove it.

Great Idea and I love the enthusiasm and sharing, this is exactly the kind of stuff and you are exactly the kind of member that make this place great.

Thanks for putting it together.

[frobn]

Frobn, I think it is a great idea from a link back perspective, however I think what Judy is referring to about her "template" is that she has a backend with WYSIWYG and other features so that she does not have to know any html or CSS.

These will work great for any realtor with coding knowlege however to get even more people interested (Those that dont know code) You could put together a CSS coding tutorial to go along with your templates that way non coders could play around with them

Have you considered the situation where people would simply take the template and remove the link? There really is no way to force people to keep it, and I think many people might remove it.

Great Idea and I love the enthusiasm and sharing, this is exactly the kind of stuff and you are exactly the kind of member that make this place great.

Thanks for putting it together.

When I first proposed the idea I thought there it would generate some interest but unfortunately I was wrong. I think I received two responses. I will continue to advocate for css/xhtml standards because I believe standars are the future and will improve the internet, but now I advise anyone who is interested that they should visit sites like zengarden and alistapart. I have contributed to open-realty.org which now uses a css/xthml front end and is quickly revising the code base to be 100% xhtml standards compliant. If anyone is interested in a top real estate web application that uses standards they could learn more by visiting opesn-realy.org.

[David Abernathy]

I am interested in hearing more about your templates. I keep getting ask by friends to help them build websites and the chance to use a clean well coded template would be a huge plus.

Since I will be hosting the sites, I can assure for at least as long as I am hosting the sites your link will remain intact.

Note: I have been to your site several times and the cssdesignmagic.com site states "Preparation for these promotional resources are nearly complete." - My assuption has been that you were not ready yet and I and probably others have been waiting for you to be ready.


Thanks

Dave

[Terrapin1]

Note: I have been to your site several times and the cssdesignmagic.com site states "Preparation for these promotional resources are nearly complete." - My assuption has been that you were not ready yet and I and probably others have been waiting for you to be ready.

I'm with Keys on this as well. I just thought you weren't ready. I wouldn't get too discouraged about it. I too am shopping around for a SEO friendly template as well.

Question: If you are working with Open Realty, then why are you also designing your own RE templates as well?

Also, have you looked at Hot Propery by Mambots. Their RE template is based on Mambo's Open Source CMS.

I don't know alot about CSS design except that it makes for more easily spidered websites. As Morgan said, most agents have little knowledge about programming and such. If your backend admin uses WYSIYG, then that might helpl.

[frobn]

I'm with Keys on this as well. I just thought you weren't ready. I wouldn't get too discouraged about it. I too am shopping around for a SEO friendly template as well.

Question: If you are working with Open Realty, then why are you also designing your own RE templates as well?

Also, have you looked at Hot Propery by Mambots. Their RE template is based on Mambo's Open Source CMS.

I don't know alot about CSS design except that it makes for more easily spidered websites. As Morgan said, most agents have little knowledge about programming and such. If your backend admin uses WYSIYG, then that might helpl.

I began the project as an idea and put up several samples, it appears that my mistake was waiting for feedback, when I did not receive any, I put the project on a back burner.


Mambo uses a templating system similar to OR, several OR contributors also contribute to Mambo and have integrated the two systems. There is a mambo addon for OR 2 which is being supported by an active community. While I am not a proponent of the integration I do see value in it. OR also has a builtin WYSIYG editor, in fact there two to choose from.

Why am I suggesting OR and what does OR have to do with standards? OR is a real estate listing management web application and has a standards compliant templating system. I think the confusion is in the definition of "template" which many people equate with commercial templates like Monster Templates or with web site vendors like AA. OR, just like most dynamic web sites, uses a template or shell for the content. There is one template or shell for all the pages resulting in a consistent look and feel throughout the web site. In OR ver 2 the default templat/shell is standards compliant but you are not limited to the default. You can use any design to build your own template. It is possible to write a non standards compliant template for OR 2 but there are no advantages to do so.

There are many open source standards compliant choices which are far superior to the commercial vendors. Mambo and OR are two of them.