Includes

I'm wanting to use PHP to make updating an entire site easier by using include() [I think that's the function] to include navigation bars, notices, etc. on multiple pages. What's the best way to do that, and is it possible to keep the included files from being indexed/viewed on their own (possibly by password protecting [htaccess] the directory they are in)? Thanks in advance for any help. -- Kyrie Eleison, Rick Beckman www.spiritsword.com/