Comments on: HTML for Dummies, Part 3: Effects with Borders and Padding, and Replacing Tables with Divs

By: Arachne Jericho

Arachne Jericho — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:27:31 +0000

Hello Daniel,

The CSS is only hard to use/manage if you’re trying to replicate tabular data (think a spreadsheet) versus layout (think three columns versus two columns).

The CSS way is much easier in the latter situation, harder in the previous situation.

The table way is much harder in the latter situation, but easier in the previous situation.

Really, it comes down to a specific situation. I actually still use div/css when I’m doing two columns of data, actually, because it’s more flexible; and there’s more you can do with stylesheets to make life easier in any case—for instance, using CSS classes, so you only specify size for a kind of cell just once.

I suggest picking up a full-out CSS tutorial somewhere. I’ve no recommendations in particular, I picked mine up from a book around CSS 1, and now it’s CSS 2 and I’ve simply updated bit by bit over the years.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:16:51 +0000

I enjoyed your article, I picked up a few nice tips from it, thanks !

I have a question though. I am often reading that we should use CSS and not tables, however looking at your example, and the html of a table, the CSS looks harder to use and manage…!

What are the advantages of using CSS over an html table ?

By: ADrian

ADrian — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:52:41 +0000

This is gold for a begginer like me. Saved this page to “cool sites” for the awesome quote box and table images:D

Thank you!

By: jeff

jeff — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:15:24 +0000

The first example is missing a after the first paragraph to ensure a line break.

“Another time, Lizzy,” said her mother, “I would not dance with him, if I were you.”

“I believe, ma’am, I may safely promise you never to dance with him.”

Should be

“Another time, Lizzy,” said her mother, “I would not dance with him, if I were you.”
“I believe, ma’am, I may safely promise you never to dance with him.”

but the examples are really good and nice and easy to follow.

By: Arachne Jericho

Arachne Jericho — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:51:47 +0000

Tiago OS,

Obrigada! :-)

By: Tiago OS

Tiago OS — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:04:44 +0000

Achei Bom, porem tem que deixar claro para os “Dummies” que tabela foi feita para exibir dados tabulares, se nao vai virar uma div-mania em grande escala, neste caso é aceitavel por serem imagens, uma especie de galeria. Mas ainda sim um artigo legal :o)

By: Burnaby Realtor

Burnaby Realtor — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:51:26 +0000

It is nice to see some comprehensive information on how to line up the pictures. I have trouble often with the default content on my website template, so being able to put in my own images allows me to not have to talk to my website host so much. I think they are getting tired of hearing from me :P .

By: Arachne Jericho

Arachne Jericho — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 08:08:54 +0000

Hi Tatiana,

I’d have to say this is another area where IE7 has decided not to be standards-compliant, which drives me to despair.

I’ll figure something out. Or there’s probably a solution out there on the web already, and I haven’t stumbled across it yet.

By: Tatiana

Tatiana — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:43:43 +0000

Image Photo Edges doesn't correct work in IE take a look in the down left menu. Please advice.

By: Arachne Jericho

Arachne Jericho — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:42:19 +0000

Hello whee, I think I edited your first comment to what you meant.

As for “” versus “”—most people don’t really care. I don’t, either. Being pedantic isn’t really the point of the HTML for Dummies series.

By the way—I’m aware of why, technically, we should be using . I just stopped caring a long time ago.