This JavaScript is only available in the full version of HoTMetaL PRO 4.0. If you're connected to the internet right now, visit the SoftQuad web site to find out more, or read the description below.

To insert the Java Script into your page, drag and drop the mouse(8) onto the Editor. When you do so, a Design-Time Control (DTC) appears, enabling you to configure the Web Tour.

Web Tour Java Script8

The Web Tour script lets you create an automated tour--a kind of Web page slide show--for any collection of files that can be displayed in a Web browser (HTML, GIF, JPEG, etc.).

A web tour consists of two windows, which can be separate browser windows, or different frames in the same window. One window displays the pages in the web tour; the other window contains a set of buttons--[Back], [Pause], [Resume], and [Forward]--that let you control the tour.

To set up a Web tour:

  • Enter the location of the Kiosk Page: this is the page that a user will open to display the web tour. You should choose a new filename for this page: HoTMetaL PRO will generate the contents automatically.
  • Enter the location of the Tour Control Page: this is the page that will display the control buttons. You should choose a new filename for this page (make sure it's not the same filename as for the kiosk page): HoTMetaL PRO will generate the contents automatically. If you wish, you can edit this page later with HoTMetaL PRO to customize its appearance.
  • Choose the format for the tour: Use Separate Window or Use Frame Set. If you use separate windows, the tour pages will be displayed in the kiosk page, and the controls will be displayed in a smaller floating window. If you use a frame set, the tour pages will be displayed in the upper frame, and the controls will be displayed in a smaller lower frame.
  • Click on [Add] to choose files to be displayed in the tour. Files will be displayed in the order that you add them to the Pages for the tour list. You can also drag and drop links into the list from a browser. You can remove a selected file by clicking on [Remove].
  • You can configure a couple of things about how each file is displayed: click on a file in the list and then click on [Edit] to choose:
    • A caption for the file (this will be displayed in the control window).
    • The delay time--number of seconds between this file and the next one. You should leave enough time for the file to be fully downloaded, especially if it is an image to be downloaded over the Web. the default is 10 seconds.
  • Click on [OK] when you have completed the set up.

HoTMetaL PRO inserts a link in the current document, pointing to the kiosk document. You can choose to keep this link to refer to the web tour, or set up another link in another document. If you wish to run the DTC again to edit the information you entered above, you have to do so by clicking inside this link, and then choosing DTC Properties... from the pop-up menu, or Design Time Control... from the Insert menu.

You can run the web tour by opening the kiosk page: the browser displays the control window and begins to download the first page in the tour.