Server Side Includes

[lanesharon]

I have several questions about server side includes. I have a menu, done with CSS, that will show on each of my pages. I would like to use a server side include so that I can modify this without having to modify each page. So, here are the quesitons:

I have heard that this type of module taxes the server, is this true?

How does google handle shtml pages? The same as html?

Is the data in the SSI txt page, added into the page prior to any robot indexing the page?

In other words, I would like all the words in the SSI txt file to be included in googles spidering. Thanks for any help you can give me.

[TechWeasel]

Originally posted by lanesharon

I have heard that this type of module taxes the server, is this true?

While it certainly increases server load, I wouldn't use the term "taxes." Instead of just having to serve one file, the server has to first piece together several seperate files to create the "final" file... obviously this creates a higher load. In practice though this is a negligible increase for the typical usage you'd see on a PZ hosted site. I personally wouldn't hesitate to use SSI's in any of my sites (although I personally prefer PHP and it's "include" function... which does the same thing) unless it was a very high traffic website.

How does google handle shtml pages? The same as html?

All processing is first done by the Server (hence SERVER Side Includes) so the page that is ultimately delivered to a browser (and Googlebot like any robot is just another type of browser) is indistinguishable from a static page. There's no way for the end user (a web surfer, a robot, google...) to know how your page is actually structured on the server.

For a practical experiement write two identical pages, one using SSI's and one not and then "view source" on each in your web browser... this is how robots see your site and there shouldn't be any difference between the two.

I've never heard anyone suggest that PageRank pays any kind of attention to file extensions (be they .html, .htm, .shtml, .php) whatsoever, and that's the only place you'd see any difference.

[lanesharon]

Thanks Brad for your reply to my questions. They have eased my mind.

[lanesharon]

Just wanted everyone to know. I did the Server Side Include and they are working like a charm. It sure saves me a lot of time modifying the menu. Thanks.