Re: layout idea

>> #container     { position: relative; width: 980px; margin: auto; }
>>
> I wouldn't want widths in pixels; I'd want them
> in either em-units or as %ages of the outer container
> (usually the window) -- will your proposal cope
> with these relative-size units ?

Yes, widths could be specified in any unit (including as a percentage  
of the outer container).