Css and Font Tags

Should I still be using both

[Total Paranoia]

I have been using an external css file to control font sizes and create some nice search engine freindly hovers but I read a little while ago that I should still be using standard html font tags as well as the css to cater for browsers that do not support css.

Is there any truth in this? Do you lot still use font tags as well as css? Is there any need?

[Nick_W]

>standard html font tags

What, standard for HTML 3.2?

Don't even worry about it. There is no browser worth mentioning that doesn't get the basic CSS font/text styles. And, if they don't get it what do you lose?

Nick

[DrDoc]

Let's see what W3C have to say ;)

[w3.org...]

Section 2...

[Nick_W]

Well, DrDoc had the rigth idea in linking to that. I think it's important enough to quote right here on the board though:

FONT tag considered harmful! Many filters from word-processing packages, and also some HTML authoring tools, generate HTML code which is completely contrary to the design goals of the language. What they do is to look at a document almost purely from the point of view of layout, and then mimic that layout in HTML by doing tricks with FONT, BR and   (non- breaking spaces). HTML documents are supposed to be structured around items such as paragraphs, headings and lists. Yet some of these documents barely have a paragraph tag in sight!

Thanks Doc!

Nick

[DrDoc]

You are welcome :)

I especially like the part "HTML documents are supposed to be structured around items such as paragraphs, headings and lists."

sheesh! How often can we see a Web page that uses nothing but font tags!

It might look the same, but it sure ain't the same! The font tag is deprecated, which means that W3C no longer supports it. It is only there for historic purposes. It is already removed in newer recommendations. Other elements, such as paragraphs, lists, and headings... they will always be there.