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Robert_Charlton - 7:37 am on Oct 10, 2010 (gmt 0)
FWIW, here's a link to another discussion that also gets confused about the <base> element in spots... but contains enough information along the way that it is a useful reference.
The <base> element and how to use it effectively
http://www.webmasterworld.com/html/3414338.htm [webmasterworld.com]
To minimize confusion when you read it, know that this is the conclusion that pageoneresults ultimately comes to....
Ah, so I was incorrect?
If you are using Root Relative links (/images/file.gif), then the use of the Base Element is negated and there is no need for it, correct?
If you are using Relative links (images/file.gif, ./images/file.gif, ../images/file.gif., etc.), then the use of the Base Element comes into play.
So now you have another unique element on each page and that is the full URI of that page which is now the base element for all relative paths. Not Root Relative but Relative.
The thread is a good argument for avoiding both the Base Element and Relative links.