Here's an instructor's take on tables. I'm taking a level 2 web design class from the community college Visual Communication Dept. The instructor clearly knows his stuff - we're learning all about the web 2.0 design differences, using css frameworks and more. I asked him when it's appropriate to use tables. I have a site that has numerous pages with 2 columns of same-size photos with captions and used tables to position the photos/captions because I didn't have the CSS knowledge to do otherwise.
When I asked him (and he saw the pages), he surprised me by saying that using tables for that instance was fine. (I also now have a CSS book that describes how to use css to position rows/columns of photos.) So I think the general answer is to avoid tables when reasonably possible. Among other issues, I've read that they take 2 "passes" to fully transmit the layout and data..And there can be accessibility issues if they are not coded properly. Definitely avoid them for general layout, as you want to separate the data and presentation whenever possible, especially given the variety of screen widths across various devices such as computer monitors, tablets and all of the mobile devices. Using CSS allows much more flexibility in your presentation... and sometimes tables are the most appropriate answer. On Fri, Apr 22, 2011 at 1:11 PM, buyz lots <[email protected]> wrote: > I would call those alerts :) but you are right, it can be done with > onclick and using javascript to show the elements. As for tables, it just > make sense to put a form in a table but it may have something to do with > with ruby. Honestly, I really don't know though. > > On Apr 22, 2011, at 1:21 PM, Jason wrote: > > Hi there, > > I have a quick and simple terminology question. What is the name given to > the "helper text" that I've seen on some websites alongside textboxes to > help you fill them in? > > They are present at: https://twitter.com/signup and I presume it's just > cleaver css possibly with some js thrown in. > > Secondly, I see twitter does this using tables - which everyone seems to > hate for layout. What is a better way of doing this? I assume that you fire > some javascript when the textbox is active etc. But how do you get the > textbox styled and floating on the right? > > Cheers, > J > > -- > -- > You received this because you are subscribed to the "Design the Web with > CSS" at Google groups. > To post: [email protected] > To unsubscribe: [email protected] > > > -- > -- > You received this because you are subscribed to the "Design the Web with > CSS" at Google groups. > To post: [email protected] > To unsubscribe: [email protected] > -- -- You received this because you are subscribed to the "Design the Web with CSS" at Google groups. To post: [email protected] To unsubscribe: [email protected]
