Hi
I need some ideas (pro's and con's) about filing systems for the web site files.
In my first web site I placed all files in the root and I wasn't happy with that. Will it be smarter to save in folders? Or maybe I should ask: What is the maximum number of files to have in a folder before it becomes impractical.
If I use folders what do I do with the css files? Do I put a css file in each folder or do I use a global address?
With a global address I can't preview.

Anybody got some ideas.
jensen

What is the maximum number of files to have in a folder before it becomes impractical.

It doesn't really matter, it's what is practical for YOU to manage.

If I use folders what do I do with the css files? Do I put a css file in each folder or do I use a global address?

I tend to keep my CSS files in the root of the web site, it keeps pathing issues to a minimum. Some people put css files in a css folder - it's just a matter, really, of what works for you. The web server doesn't care.

With a global address I can't preview.

What do you mean? Why wouldn't you be able to ?

What do you mean? Why wouldn't you be able to ?

My question was not well worded. What I meant was, that if I have the css file in the root and refer to it with a global address, the preview function can not find it if the site I want to test is not in the root.
I get the rest of your answer. Just not sure how to refer to css files when using folders.

the preview function can not find it if the site I want to test is not in the root.

I"m not sure I follow. In your html, you tell it where to find the css file like this:

<link href="main.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />

It shouldn't matter where you put the css, as long as your path in that <link> statement is correct.

If you had the CSS in a folder, then it would be like this:

<link href="css/main.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />

So if the html file is in the root directory, it will go down 1 level to the CSS folder to find the css file.

You should always put websites you work with in folders. Life would much of a chaos otherwise.

This is something I found out about the hard way when I was creating a pretty large site. I usually just create a folder for CSS, one for any scripts and one for images. I sometimes will then break down those groups with other files lie: images > Products > Fishing rods etc...

I personally don't like to have many files in each folder but if you don't put enough files in each folder you kind of have the same problem clicking through 10 folrder to get to an image.

Thanks everybody.
I think problem is solved. It seems that each dircectory must have an index page. As far as I can see it must like this:
./dir/index.html
without the page title.
I can't get my software to add a trailing slash. Safari will complete the address (if known) with a trailing slash when you start writing. That will give users a 404.

The directory does not need an index page. It's just that if you do not specify a file (/ex.html) most servers are configured to display index named files by default.

Usually in an order similar to
index.html
index.htm
index.shtml
index.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Index.html

As far as organizing pages in folders there is a slight SEO advantage if your site has different subjects/areas. You can organize your site like; example.com/mysubject/

As far as organizing pages in folders there is a slight SEO advantage if your site has different subjects/areas. You can organize your site like; example.com/mysubject/

You have a quotable source or is that just your opinion?

I agree with you. I just want to see if we share an opinion or knowledge.

Google doesn't verify this, but if you search the general consensus is it helps having keywords in the domain and structure.
Search for something like SEO folder Structure and go with what you think.

Here are 2 videos, one that says it doesn't matter, then one that says hyphens are better than underscores. Why would it matter if they were not taking into account the words in the file/folder name.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx68PlCTuIU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3SFVfDIS5k

Imho it's easier to group files and put them in folders. It's easier to manage them. For some you may want for example some extra security level or no index attribute so, you will not have to treat every file individually and it will safe you a bit of your time.

Its always good to start the architecture of the site by making directories (folders) for design and SEO reasons.
For design it shows that the webmaster is very organized and saves files in a relevant folder example images, styles, scripts, products, type of product and etc. Easy to navigate.

For SEO making different folders are good because it shows the search engines that your site is a large site, easy to navigate and you can also embed keywords on your folder names which will give you a better chance to get up on the search engines.

EXAMPLE
http://www.web-services-abc.com/web-design-services/web-design-layouts.html
or
http://www.web-services-abc.com/web-development-services/web-development-apps.html

Originally Posted by oasmat

For SEO making different folders are good because it shows the search engines that your site is a large site, easy to navigate and you can also embed keywords on your folder names which will give you a better chance to get up on the search engines.

Total rubbish!!!

i've heard joomla is a great tool for this, if i'm understanding correctly.