Roots Documentation
Roots is a web foundation—a series of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files that will help you get on your way to doing what you really want to do: developing an awesome website or web application without fooling around with the standard, run-of-the-mill work.
Who is it for?
Roots is for intermediate to advanced web developers. It's not a requirement, but you'll find that it's easiest to use and fiddle with Roots if:
- You have a good grasp of standards-based web development.
- You can design good-looking web pages without using tables for layout.
- You know how server-side includes work.
- You use centrally-located CSS files.
- You can read and understand JavaScript's object literal notation.
- You have experience with JavaScript frameworks like Prototype.
The rule of thumb is: if you need Roots to do anything listed above, you're not ready for it.
What does Roots do, exactly?
Roots does not utilize a programming language, and for the most part is web server-agnostic (although it works best on Apache). It does require that SSI be available on the server.
Roots is simply a set of HTML include files, CSS files, and JavaScript utility functions that help you get over the initial hurdle of setting up a website. Roots also takes care of cross-browser development issues (IE6+, Opera, Firefox, and Safari) in its set of CSS and JS files.
Roots includes the following features:
- HTML include files to help you maintain and organize your site.
- Flexible CSS files, including:
- CSS for common layouts
- CSS for several typographic styles
- CSS for several different color palettes
- Support for screen-based, print, handheld, and aural devices
- JavaScript frameworks, including Prototype, MochiKit, Mootools, Rico, and Scriptaculous.
- JavaScript utility functions, including an Ajax helper, the Encapsulated Load Object, PNG support in IE 5.5 & 6, an inline Ajax editor, a form wizard creator, and a fix for the Eolas "click to activate" problem.
Roots allows you to focus on content and design, rather than wasting hours on arcane and obscure bugs, or in recreating things that have already been done.
Roots is free
You don't have to pay anything to use Roots in your web projects. Use it however you want, in accordance with the license. In some sense, Roots is open source, in that you can see all "code" in it, and can change it at your will. However, at this time, you cannot directly contribute to the project. If you have updates, bugs, or suggestions, please email me at jordan@zorked.com.