Introducing EZ-NetAdvantage!

Volume I - Issue VII - July 2001

EZ-NetTools

EZ-PageBuilder Gets An Overhaul

Mike Haddox
Tech Support Representative

EZ-PageBuilder, the web page design tool in ICServ's EZ-NetTools, has undergone major enhancements. While the overall look is very different, these changes are not merely a face lift. EZ-PageBuilder is now easier and more convenient to work with than ever, and its versatility is unparalleled. Some of these newly enhanced features include:

Moveable blocks
Mini-toolbar on every block
Copy blocks to other pages
New Layout Manager
New Spacer Block
Outline-formatted block numbering

Enhanced Block Manipulation When you open a page in EZ-PageBuilder, you will find that your blocks have an added feature. First, the block numbering has changed from the 001 format to an outline style hierarchy. This has more relevance when we talk more about the Layout Manager. Aligned next to the block number are six new buttons that function as an in-block toolbar. It gives you the following options:

Add - Adds a new block to your page. This is the same option as the 'Add' button in the toolbar, just more accessible.
Edit - You no longer have to search for your block number from the toolbar to edit. Simply click the 'Edit' icon in the block you wish to edit.
Move Up/Down - You can now move your blocks up or down one block by using the Up or Down arrows.
Move - Ever have a block at the bottom of your page that you wanted at the top instead? Before, you would have to re-create that block to position it where you like. Now, you can simply click the 'Move' icon to specify where you want your block placed.
Copy - Ever wanted a block duplicated on another page? Before, this was done by saving the page as another filename then deleting the unwanted blocks. You can now just use the 'Copy' icon, then designate what page you want to copy your block to.
Delete - Deletes the selected block. This is the same option as the 'Delete' button in the toolbar, just more accessible.

Layout Manager
Ever want a sidebar on the right side of your page? Ever want a different background for a particular block? Ever want to design your page the way you wanted it? You can now create a block within a block within a block. With the new Layout Manager, the possibilities of creating a layout in EZ-PageBuilder are almost endless.

We'll start by creating a simple layout:

Open EZ-PageBuilder and start with a new page.
Click the 'Add' button. Select 'Layout Manager' located at the bottom of the list, and click 'Next Step'.
Select 'Columns' for this layout block and click the 'Submit' button. There are some advanced options, but we can deal with those later once we create our general layout.
You will now see a block with nothing but the mini-toolbar. However, by selecting the drop-down menu on the right side of your toolbar, you will note there are two blocks listed: "Start Layout" and "End Layout" both with the number one. Since we want to start creating in this layout, we'll continue to add blocks.
Add a new block just as you would normally. First, we'll add a simple 'Credit Card' block. Choose 'After' and select '1.- Start Layout'. Click 'Next Step'.
Enter a short description for your cards and click 'Submit'.
Your cards will align horizontally, but we'll take care of this problem later.
You should now notice that the number for your credit card block is "1.1". This outline-numbered style is designed to let you know where your block is located. The first number designates which layout your blocks are in, the second number tells you what order your block within that layout is. Your credit card block is the first block within the first layout.
Add another block, this time, make it a 'Maillist' block. Choose 'After' and select '1.1.- Credit Cards', and click 'Next Step'.
Enter the details for your Maillist block and click 'Submit'.
Your Maillist should show up on the right side of your credit cards. Again, the number for your Maillist block is "1.2", for the second block within the first layout.
Let's add another block. This time, make it the 'Button Builder' block. Choose 'After' '1.2- Maillist' and click 'Next Step'.
Align your button builder to be in the sidebar so your buttons will align vertically. Now, create 4-5 buttons. Click 'Submit'.
You've now just created a sidebar on the right side of your page. Now it's time to edit our layout to give it some style.
Edit Block 1 (it can be either your Start or End Layout) by clicking the 'Edit' icon or button.
You will see three rows pertaining to the three blocks we just created in this layout. Under the heading "Vertical Alignment" select 'Top' for each of your blocks.
Next, use the EZ-ColorPicker to select a color for the backgrounds of each of these blocks. If you wish to use a graphic, click 'Browse' to find and use a graphic for your background. Under the 'Border' option, let's enter "4". Click 'Submit' to see what changes we've made.

This is just a sample to give you an idea of the versatility of working with the Layout Manager in EZ-PageBuilder. This layout used only columns. You will want to experiment with rows or even rows in columns. Further, you can embed Layout Manager Blocks within Layout Manager Blocks for nearly limitless design possibilities.

Note: Netscape does not support using more than 3 Layout Managers within one another.

Spacer Block
The new Spacer Block allows you to enter a blank area wherever you want on a page. Just enter the height and width for the spacer. Some of your blocks may need a bit more space between each other. With the spacer, you can format your blocks for perfect positioning. If you wanted just a background color on one part of your page, the Spacer, used with the Layout Manager, can provide that perfect touch. For such an easy-to-use block, the Spacer can do many advanced things for designing your page.

Conclusion
The many changes made to EZ-NetTools represent a great deal of time and effort on the part of our programmers and software designers. They come from the many suggestions that we receive both externally and internally. While there is some learning curve involved in adapting to the new EZ-PageBuilder, we have every confidence that our users will soon love the increased versatility and ease of use of this already great software tool.