Is Table-based Layouts Dying Out?

[iain]

I personally believe that CSS is the only way forward now and soon enough table-based layouts will become completely obsolete. Sure CSS has its problems, but with every new browser and web standards release things are steadily getting better and more compatable. Whilst tables have their uses in the overall design, I don't think they will be at the forefront of any new websites in the future.

What do you think?

[st_hart]

Yes I agree with that. Today more web designers use less and even no table on the web they design. They completely depend on CSS to design the layout. Table is likely works against you instead of for you. At least it makes your website loading slower.

[ezonyx]

With today's ISP speeds, loading is not an issue, besides, there are not much of the difference in the loading times, only in what loads first. I am an old school and still using tables for my new designs. I think tables are way better for much complicated and unique designs. In addition, I am sure that my design will be displayed correctly in all browser types and versions, this is harder to achieve with css. As long as I am alive, you'll see more table based designs and I am sure there are more folks like me.

[artemis]

I gotta agree with ezonyx - I too still use tables. I really don't find a significant enough difference on load times and there really is nothing wrong with using tables.

My 2¢ -

[conceptskateboarding]

CSS saves so much time using an external style sheet.

[ivanmiller]

I haven't grasped the concept of CSS yet. Are there WYSIWYG programs that let you create CSS-based Web sites? I'm an old school MS FrontPage user and start building each site with tables. I am completely lost with this concept and technique. Can someone point me in the right direction?

[sequencehosting]

Originally Posted by ivanmiller

I haven't grasped the concept of CSS yet. Are there WYSIWYG programs that let you create CSS-based Web sites? I'm an old school MS FrontPage user and start building each site with tables. I am completely lost with this concept and technique. Can someone point me in the right direction?

I guess I would have to recommend DreamWeaver! The best thing about Dreamweaver is the code it produces is normally quite clean and browser friendly unlike most other programs.

[scottelkin]

Designing by tables is dead. Not dying - dead. Yes, they can work - but poorly. Look at what I can do without tables:

1. with one line of CSS i can move a sidebar to the left or the right.
2. with one line of CSS i can hide any part of my site.
3. it is super easy to edit my website. I will never again help a friend with a website with nested tables, e.g. <table><tr><td><table><tr><td>header...</td><tr><table<tr><td>sidebar...
4. it is the future - might as well learn it.
5. mobile devices: table-based layouts look pretty miserable on cell phones and iphones.

[scottelkin]

Designing by tables is dead. Not dying - dead. Yes, they can work - but poorly. Look at what I can do without tables:

1. with one line of CSS i can move a sidebar to the left or the right.
2. with one line of CSS i can hide any part of my site.
3. it is super easy to edit my website. I will never again help a friend with a website with nested tables, e.g. <table><tr><td><table><tr><td>header...</td><tr><table<tr><td>sidebar...
4. it is the future - might as well learn it.
5. mobile devices: table-based layouts look pretty miserable on cell phones and iphones.