Layout or Tables..Thats the question.

I applogize in advance if this post appears duplicated. This is my second
attempt after waiting a few hrs for the original to appear...
I am to build a website for my business. There will be very little in the way
of gimmicks except for the usual navigation roller overs etc. Maybe the odd
very small flash file to add a little interest, and a couple of Formmail forms.
The site content is mainly informational text (a lot of it), this should help
the search engines, and there are nice pertinant images. I have built a couple
of small websites for business colleagues, and class myself as a
beginner/intermediate user of Dreamweaver 4. The question that is burning me
before I start my own website is whether to keep the pages I design in 'layout'
mode or convert every page to tables. The Dreamweaver book states " A
disadvantage to using layers is that layers are not widely viewable in older
I.E & Netscape Browsers (prior v4.0). I would like to know is this now much of
an issue, bearing in mind I'm not targeting Netscape as I know of no one using
it, and get the opinion I.E and Netscape have many HTML conflicts. Would I be
correct in thinking the majority of Browsers used by the general public
nowadays are I.E V5.5 or maybe even V6.00) ?
I have read a lot about problems with both Layout mode and tables on this
Forum, and the time now is for me to make a decision one way or other. I like
the idea of layers for simplicity of layout, especially with 'prevent over
lapping layers' deselected, and I can always use tables in the content as
needed. I can sparingly use the 'Timeline' with 'Behaviours' if I want a little
interactivity (although I get the impression Murray dislikes the timeline due
to bulky code). Tables as a page layout on the other hand can be infuriating
for a non professional website designer, but I obviously want the website to be
as Browser friendly as possible.
I don't expect a definitive answer, but am interested to know if there are
major issues I have not considered before I choose Layers or tables as the page
formats.
Sorry for the long post, all feedback welcome and appreciated.

I would suggest tables. All the sites I have built so far have been with
tables. You can center a table for the screen. I have not used layers except
for in the begining when I had the same problem you ran into, but my advice
would be to use tables. I hope that helps...

NEVER use layout mode. That's independant of the table vs. CSS (layers)
issue.

As for Tables vs. CSS, what are you better at using?

CSS usually has the advantages of:
- less markup (smaller files, easier to maintain, quicker downloads)
- cleaner markup (easier to repurpose, easier to maintain, easier for
search engines to index)

The one main drawback is that it's still a bit tricky to work with if
complete cross-browser support is wanted.

I usually use one very basic table, and then lots of CSS for more precise
styling.

-Darrel

if you want to learn about html code and CSS, and want to build
professional, solid sites, use Design and code view mode.

If you're not interested in the nuts and bolts of html/CSS, and just
want to get a decent site up fast, use layout mode and layers.

ArnieK wrote:

I would suggest tables. All the sites I have built so far have been with
tables. You can center a table for the screen. I have not used layers except
for in the begining when I had the same problem you ran into, but my advice
would be to use tables. I hope that helps...

don't let Murray catch you saying "use layout mode"



Louise


"seb" <sebnewyork (AT) earhlink (DOT) netTakeThisOut> wrote

if you want to learn about html code and CSS, and want to build
professional, solid sites, use Design and code view mode.

If you're not interested in the nuts and bolts of html/CSS, and just
want to get a decent site up fast, use layout mode and layers.

ArnieK wrote:

I would suggest tables. All the sites I have built so far have been
with
tables. You can center a table for the screen. I have not used layers
except
for in the begining when I had the same problem you ran into, but my
advice
would be to use tables. I hope that helps...

"John at NF" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote

I applogize in advance if this post appears duplicated. This is my second
attempt after waiting a few hrs for the original to appear...

Darrel's done a good job of answering your question, but I'd add that as far
as your opening comment (quoted above), you'll get much faster answers if
you use a newsreader such as Outlook Express on these forums. I always see
my post as soon as I post it using a newsreader, vs. sometimes hours and
days with the webforum. There are other advantages, as well. In fact, I can
think of no advantage to using the web-based forum at all.

Note that I saw my post at 1:37 (central time) and am replying at 1:38.


"middletree" <middletree (AT) htomail (DOT) com> wrote

"John at NF" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:cdgsc0$rqv$1 (AT) forums (DOT) macromedia.com...
I applogize in advance if this post appears duplicated. This is my
second
attempt after waiting a few hrs for the original to appear...


Darrel's done a good job of answering your question, but I'd add that as
far
as your opening comment (quoted above), you'll get much faster answers if
you use a newsreader such as Outlook Express on these forums. I always see
my post as soon as I post it using a newsreader, vs. sometimes hours and
days with the webforum. There are other advantages, as well. In fact, I
can
think of no advantage to using the web-based forum at all.

Too late. He's busted!

--
Murray --- ICQ 71997575
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Dreamweaver MX
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
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"Louise" <Louise (AT) NOSPAMPLEASELouiseKennedyDesign (DOT) com> wrote

don't let Murray catch you saying "use layout mode"



Louise


"seb" <sebnewyork (AT) earhlink (DOT) netTakeThisOut> wrote in message
news:cdh0oc$4aa$1 (AT) forums (DOT) macromedia.com...
if you want to learn about html code and CSS, and want to build
professional, solid sites, use Design and code view mode.

If you're not interested in the nuts and bolts of html/CSS, and just
want to get a decent site up fast, use layout mode and layers.

ArnieK wrote:

I would suggest tables. All the sites I have built so far have been
with
tables. You can center a table for the screen. I have not used
layers
except
for in the begining when I had the same problem you ran into, but my
advice
would be to use tables. I hope that helps...

I'll add my 2 cents as well :-)

Do NOT use layout mode. Get into standard mode and learn how to 'insert'
tables.

Whether you go with tables or layers (divs). Starting off, I suggest a
table layout that is styled with CSS.
Many tutorials on the web on how to do this. Once you get the CSS basics
down, then move onto a layer (div) layout. You would need to be comfortable
with using css to do justice to a layer design, and at this stage probably
too many hacks / tricks needed to get the site looking good on all
platforms / window sizes.

--
Nadia
---------------
:Free Templates !! Dropdown Menu Designs:
http://www.DreamweaverResources.com
:Templates: Free Nav Bar Sets:
:Ecommerce - YVStore : SEO Articles :
:Table Tutorials, Background image Tutorials:
------------------------------------------------

Thanks to all for advice. I have decided Tables & CSS is the way to go... Now
for a steep learning curve. Not sure what Murray meant by..."Too late He's
Busted" humour or sarcasm Hmmmm ?
Once again thanks everyone.