Issue with very basic php include

Question

Hi there.
I am creating a site mainly in HTML, but with a file extension of .php due to me wanting to use a few php includes.
Most of my site files are in the root directly, and the includes I'm using are in an includes directory.
I have one or two pages that are in their own directory as well.
In my dreamweaver template file (that all of my pages use and are updated with), I have placed this:
<?php
include 'includes/social.inc';
?>
Now this works fine for all of the pages that are in the root directory, but for the ones in another directory, it doesn't.
So I tried the full address inside the quotes, but the include doesn't work at all with that.
Can anyone help me with this one... I'm sure its not too hard, just me being stupid.
Many thanks in advance,
Craig

Answer 1

Craig,
I never use DW's template system for the very fact that you mention. It may be OK for small sites but becomes very combersome for larger sites.
You are already using SSI's. Why not have a template called index.php that include the files that are required.
For instance, If the About Us menu button is clicked, you include about.php; if the Contact Us button is clicked, you include contact.php.
To do this, you will need to include a URL parameter like ?page=about and use that parameter to choose the included file. There may be other ways to achieve the same, but the result will be much more satisfying than using DW's template system.
For a commercial solution, have a look here http://www.webassist.com/dreamweaver-extensions/framework-builder/
Gramps