.NET CSS horizontal menu navigation

[pixelwiz]

Hi,

I am a designer working with an external .NET programmer. We are
trying to figure out the best way to implement at tab style horizontal
menu similar to
http://www.telerik.com/r.a.d.controls/Menu/Examples/Design/Robotic/DefaultCS.aspx
and http://www.sportsline.com/

We are not sure what part would have to be done in CSS, what part would
be done in .NET how do we integrate? Is there a way to use graphics
designed in photoshop to implement a dynamic tabbable navigation menu?

If anyone has any suggestions on good sources for information or
examples, please let me know.

-Roman

 

[darrel]

http://www.telerik.com/r.a.d.controls/Menu/Examples/Design/Robotic/DefaultCS.aspx

and http://www.sportsline.com/

We are not sure what part would have to be done in CSS, what part would
be done in .NET how do we integrate? Is there a way to use graphics
designed in photoshop to implement a dynamic tabbable navigation menu?

These tabs, you will notice, simply links each tab to a different page. In
that sense, they are just tabs visually. Physically, it's like any list of
HTML links. They're just styled pretty with images and CSS.

In fact, that's how all tabs are made on the web, as HTML doesn't have any
concept of a 'tab widget'.

Now, ASP.net does have some tab and other nav controls. These output the
same type of markup, but can automate some of the back end logic and
streamline things a bit better. Alas, .net's built in controls...at least in
1.1 produce some fairly horrid HTML. Often invalid and quite often
inaccessible.

As for what should be what, the presentation is handled via the HTML and
CSS.

I prefer to use ordered or definition lists for navigation tabs:

<ul>
<li>Tab 1</li>
<li>Tab 2</li>
<li>Tab 3</li>
</ul>

And then style them so they look like tabs using CSS and any images I want
to create.

As for ASPX, I just have that produce the above UL HTML.

So, for these menus, I usually want a clean cut between what asp.net is
handling and what the front end CSS/Images handle.

HTH,

-Darrel