Tip #5

Design notes feature

As you start working with your files, FTPing them to your server, you may notice a folder called _notes. This folder is for design notes for files in your site. In order for this folder to be created, the Maintain Design Notes option needs to be checked. Design notes is one of the options on the left under the Site Definition window. The default on an installation is to have Design Notes activated, as shown below. This screen capture shows the options for the 2004 release. The MX version is similar but there are less choices under Category. Design Notes is one of the choices under both releases, however.

Notice in this setup screen above, one of the boxes is for Upload Design Notes for Sharing. If you are the only one working on a site, there is no reason to leave this checked. It just causes the notes themselves to be uploaded to the server, and the server does not need these files. They are only used by people working on the site.

If design notes is turned on, then you can pick File from the main Document window, and select Design Notes. A special dialog box appears, with various options under Status, a calendar icon to add the date in the Notes field, and a Notes field for general comments.

This feature of design notes is a way to track information about sources of files, things that need to be done, image source filenames, comments on the status of a file, etc. This feature could be useful in documenting files and changes, particularly if multiple people are working on a larger site, but as you work on more complex sites, this feature could be useful even if you are the only person working on the site. If the _notes folder and its files are posted to a server, site visitors cannot view these special documents.