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A
Anonymous
August 15, 2006
Question

Dynamic Links

  • August 15, 2006
  • 4 replies
  • 454 views
I am in the process of creating a training CD for my customer. It starts with a menu that links to each individual .swf file. Each .swf file covers a unique topic. Once completed, I will put the whole thing on a CD to be distributed. Here's my question. How do I create dynamic links in the event that the CD drive letters are not the same? Last time I went through this process, I had to add an install shield that automatically loaded the cd onto the C: drive to make it work. I prefer not to do that again. What do you suggest?

Thanks in advance for the assistance.
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4 replies

N
Newsgroup_User
Inspiring
August 16, 2006
LOL - I'll forgive you just this once, though :-P

In reality, path issues is something that plague and baffle users from
many different disciplines including lots of Dreamweaver users. Hence
the reason why I thought seeing the actual paths might be useful for
some users.

It was for me, when I first encountered this problem.

Best,
Mark



CatBandit wrote:
> "Flash"? No one mentioned Flash, so how did exporting to Flash
> get into an explanation of "path" and how will that make Rick's (already
> excellent) explanation any better? I'm thinking that just muddies the waters .
> . . (sure are beating that metaphor to death, aren't we?).
>
> Sorry, Mark, I was watching this thread because like you, I thought Rick was
> doing such a good job that maybe I'd steal the "Maple Street" thing for the
> Tips site. Your insertion was just such a huge target I just couldn't resist
> taking the shot.
>
>
CatBandit
CatBandit
Inspiring
August 16, 2006
"Flash"? No one mentioned Flash, so how did exporting to Flash get into an explanation of "path" and how will that make Rick's (already excellent) explanation any better? I'm thinking that just muddies the waters . . . (sure are beating that metaphor to death, aren't we?).

Sorry, Mark, I was watching this thread because like you, I thought Rick was doing such a good job that maybe I'd steal the "Maple Street" thing for the Tips site. Your insertion was just such a huge target I just couldn't resist taking the shot.
A
Anonymous
August 15, 2006
Well that just seems too easy! I just want to be sure that I understand. Rather then use the browse button to link to the files I need, which would give me absolute links, I need to just type the file names.

So for instance if my movie is called "Access the interface" then I would type the link as C:\somefolder\Access\accesstheinterface.htm.

Is that right?
Captiv8r
Captiv8r
Legend
August 15, 2006
Hi again

No-no-no. You are missing the point.

You actually do type the reference, but instead of typing:

C:\somefolder\Access\accesstheinterface.htm

You type accesstheinterface.htm instead.

Think of it this way. You have a house located at 123 Maple Street-Anytown, AnyState AnyZip. You are in the living room. Inside the living room is a box containing a DVD movie.

An ABSOLUTE address says, please go to 123 Maple Street-Anytown, AnyState AnyZip and get me the DVD. You really want just a relative address. So instead of telling your partner to visit the address and grab the movie, you simply ask s/he to grab the movie. This is the same thing. So let's say you used this absolute addressing, but you actually move to 345 Elm Street-AnyOthertown, AnyOtherState AnyOtherZip. The relative address still works as long as the movie is in the living room, as you are only saying grab the movie! If you explicitly said, grab the movie from 123 Maple... you create an issue.

How's that? Make a bit more sense?

Bottom line is that you simply want to type the movie name. Leave the path of C:\ whatever out of the mix, as this is what muddies things badly.

Cheers... Rick
Captiv8r
Captiv8r
Legend
August 15, 2006
Hi Gabkyl

I'm totally confused with your statement about having to use InstallShield to automatically load the CD, but I guess that's maybe a discussion for a different thread.

Basically, you want a relative link. A link that works regardless of where the files are, as long as the relative relationship between them doesn't change.

Basically it's pretty simple to do. When linking, just manually type the file hame of the desired file. Then ensure both or all files are in the same folder.

I've noticed more than a few posts here in the forums where users claim that because they linked from Captivate or MenuBuilder, the file being viewed couldn't locate the file they were linking to. This happened after they moved the files to a different computer. I'm guessing that if you use Captivate and simply browse using the built in ways of linking, you might be creating those absolute links. Links that expect to find the movie on C:\SomeSpecialFolder\SomeSpecialMovie.HTM as opposed to the much sought after relative link.

Hopefully this helps... Rick
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