Re: CSS3 and better support for table free designs

> Will CSS3 have better support for multiple column designs.

Yes. I believe Dave Haytt is working on a "flex" specification based on 
Mozilla's XUL support. It is probably based on Safari's XUL CSS support 
as well.


> I've been trying in vane to create a fluid design with CSS that's
> mainly three column (left menu - content - right menu) without using
> tables. What I also want is to be able to serve the columns in what
> ever order I wish.
> 
> Most likely content at the top of the code, then left menu, followed
> by right menu using absolute positioning etc...
> 
> So far I can manage this with a static design where the columns have
> fixed widths, but fail when I try to give the design some fluidity so
> more of the browser window is used.

  <foo/>
  <bar/>
  <quuc/>

  foo{  position:absolute;
        left:0;
        width:15em;        }
  bar{  margin:0 15em;     }
  quuc{ position:absolute;
        right:0;
        width:15em;        }

Could do the trick. This way you can change the order as well, since 
absolutely positioned elements are taken out of the normal flow. A 
different style sheet could be, assuming FOO contains the contents:

  foo{  margin:0 15em;     }
  bar{  position:absolute;
        left:0;
        width:15em;        }
  quuc{ position:absolute;
        right:0;
        width:15em;        }

There are also various negative margin techniques [1], but they only 
work for 2 column layouts I belief.


> Will this be possible with CSS3?

If not already possible with CSS 2.1, probably.


> If you are interested in why I'd want to do this, it's for search
> engine reasons. It's a common held belief that what's presented to the
> search engine spiders first (at code level) is treated more important
> than what comes at the base. With most designs this means the left
> menu is read first and so the real content comes much further down the
> page.

It probably is a fact, but I'm not sure if there is actual proof for this.


[1] <http://alistapart.com/articles/negativemargins/>


-- 
  Anne van Kesteren
  <http://annevankesteren.nl/>

Received on Saturday, 26 June 2004 03:37:35 UTC