I'd like to throw in my .02 as someone who has only recently completed my first entire *now online* site in CSS... don't think there were any tables at all in the site.
However, while learning the intricacies of CSS cross-browsing coding *and* trying to remain productive, I've resorted for the time being to using various stylesheets for the browsers I target. I target specifically IE6, IE7, FF1.5, and FF2, because they make up so much of the browsers in use. To try to create CSS that makes every browser out there happy is just too time-consuming at this point. I say at this point, because I'm planning to learning more and more as my experience grows, and not have to resort to multiple stylesheets. However, for now, simply throwing some code in a stylesheet specifically for IE6, instead of spending 3 hours trying to figure out how to make something work, fits my need for productivity. At some point my knowledge and experience will outgrow the need for alternative stylesheets. But I see this as a stepping-stone to better CSS while remaining productive on the schedule I have to meet. Remember, I'm not skirting the cross-browser issues... I just realize that at some point I'll come across and begin to apply a better solution. So many times, after reading about someone spending 8 hours trying to solve a browser issue, I just want to say, "Just create an alternate stylesheet and stop banging your head on that wall. You'll get a better solution later." Thoughts? Rick -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:18 PM To: css-d@lists.css-discuss.org Subject: Re: [css-d] Are table-based layouts still needed >>the issue was a 5 col layout that had equal lengths.<< Actually, Ian - I *think( that might have been me. I believe the original question was just a question. I was one of the early responders to this thread, and I had mentioned the *only* time I have not been able to accomplish a layout was a theoretical one that was posed to me as a challenge: 5 columns, fluid, 100% width/height, header and "sticky" footer, and each section had to have a different background color without the use of the "faux colums" method. So I think you're thinking of my response, not the original question ;) However, I'm finding this *fascinating*. I missed who it was (Jay, maybe?) had described his light use of tables, and I have to admit there are occasions when I've done the same thing - rare ones, but it has happened. I don't think that tables should *never* be used, but I think the general "rule of thumb" - at least that I've always followed - is use them for tabular data. (But a "rule of thumb" is just that - if you step out of that boundary every once in a while - and in a semantic and clean way - the CSS Police won't be knocking on your door to haul you off to prison ;)) >>Browser cross-compatibility? Well, that's not a blessing, it's a fantasy,<< I have to address this comment, as well...I don't believe it's a fantasy. I think *now*, it is difficult, because there's so many things here and there that aren't coming together. But I think things have improved *greatly* over the past decade or so. I remember when I started doing this in high school, putting in those "This site looks better in.." comments all the time. Things have advanced so much and so fast, it's amazing. I think if it weren't for the "fantasy" of having the joy of creating a design in one browser and not even having to check it in any other ones, because they're all doing what the should be doing - I think that's closer to becoming a reality than some people think. But for change to take effect, people have to be willing to embrace the "new" and not shun it simply because it's "hard". Nothing worth *anything* ever came from being easy. Anyway, off my soapbox (for what it's worth) - I know I sound like a wide-eyed kid waiting for the tooth fairy, but that's just how I feel :) ~Shelly ______________________________________________________________________ css-discuss [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.css-discuss.org/mailman/listinfo/css-d IE7 information -- http://css-discuss.incutio.com/?page=IE7 List wiki/FAQ -- http://css-discuss.incutio.com/ Supported by evolt.org -- http://www.evolt.org/help_support_evolt/ ______________________________________________________________________ css-discuss [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.css-discuss.org/mailman/listinfo/css-d IE7 information -- http://css-discuss.incutio.com/?page=IE7 List wiki/FAQ -- http://css-discuss.incutio.com/ Supported by evolt.org -- http://www.evolt.org/help_support_evolt/
