Thanks for all your input. Learning this material without a programming background is tedious, but worthwhile. I looked up
http://www.editpadlite.com/ and the features are attractive - can open 100 pages at once and search and replace, highlight alterations in documents, etc. While Namo WebEditor 5.5 (what we use) also has global search and replace, opening all the files on the site is time consuming.
My problem is, as Paul indicated, "updating common elements such as menu bars, footers, etc..." ie. I was hoping to construct my own template. (Checked out DreamweaverMX trial version and ran into its steep learning curve). Are you saying making one from scratch is worse?
"..the best bet is to use server-side includes (SSI). Most commonly used in PHP and ASP..."
After researching this issue for a couple months, I had a nasty feeling that was the road I was heading down, just from reading the scripts I found for drop down menu.
"...you can use SSI on standard HTML sites if your hosting server permits." Ok, but this means I need to learn PHP or ASP? What about DHTML (appears to be a combo of HTML and JavaScript)?
"What sort of platform are you running, does your hosting allow for server-side scripting? "
Windows 98, getting ready to upgrade to XP. Our hosting, GoDaddy.com says it does, we have an ASP account. Also leaving on vacation for two weeks Friday, so trying to get my "ducks in a row" or at least all in the same pond. (Like should I start reading ASP for Dummies on the beach!?)
Thanks,
Dawn
http://www.culinarykingdom.com/