Table or CSS DIV's for what could be construed as tabular data

oo, and I'm new, so please be nice ;)

[richardtape]

Firstly, Hi! I'm brand new to these forums as a member (but not directly as a new visitor) and I'd just like to say that the pages found within this forum are, quite simply, the best resource for any budding (or not-so-budding) web designer.

Now I've got the "oo please help me cos I'm new" gumf out of the way I will continue to ask my question ;) I would like to think that I am fairly competent when it comes to CSS, but there are certain things that I do struggle with. I am in the process of designing a site which uses a 2 column design - one "advert column" on the right and one main data column to its left - a lá Googles' results pages. (i.e. the adverts down the right when you search for something)

I am now attempting to put a forum on my site using PHP. The actual script isn't the problem as I have been writing this for several months. However, I have now come to a stumbling block regarding the actual design for the initial "post listing" page. Can this page be construed as tabular data and hence warrant using a HTML table? (boo hiss - I'm a CSS purist, or at least like to think I am)

My current page layout consists of:

<div id="content">
<div class="articleWrapper">
<div class="article">
<h2>Example Members Forum</h2>
<p>text</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>

The <div id="content"> is the main div as described above. The articleWrapper is simply a drop shaddow <div>.

I think what my question boils down to is, where the <p>text</p> is, I am going to have a list of all the posts - which will have 3 columns - post title, author and number of replies. Firstly is this tabular data and hence warrant a <table> and if not, how would I go about putting a 3 column <div> within this layout - i.e. like a nested div.

After having re-read my post, if you can understand it to the point where you can answer it, you are a better man(or woman) than I am! I am sorry for the rambling, but I've tried to explain myself as much as possible.

Thank you for any answer in advance.

Richard

[edited by: SuzyUK at 7:44 am (utc) on June 22, 2004]
[edit reason] examplified.. see TOS#13 [webmasterworld.com] [/edit]

[Llama]

Yes, I believe that is considered tabular data. It's easier to use tables for a 3-column layout anyways.

[Purple Martin]

It's tabular data. Go right ahead and use a table :)

Don't forget to use <th> tags for the column headers, and <td> tags for the rest ;)

[richardtape]

Firstly, thank you for the replies. Secondly, I apologise for whatever I did wrong? Did I forget to edit out some text? I removed what I thought was all of it...thanks for kicking me into touch Suzy :)

Table Table here I come. I feel dirty ;)