Tables - What is so bad about them again?

[SirTalksalot]

Hi all,

I've had it driven into me for so long now that 'tables are for displaying data', and not to be used to format your page any more, and the way forward is forever CSS.

I've tried my best to stick with CSS, but I've always found it a massive pain in the ass compared to simply using tables. The text is still readble on a page, the links still work, what's the big deal?

In short, I'm thinking of making life a lot easier by simply reverting to tables for formatting, with a little CSS to tweak it. Is this really such a crime?

[dukelips]

Designing layouts for Content Management Systems is easier to do in tables than in css.

Then y do people keep saying that tables should not be used,

[Trace]

A CMS should not dictate best practices and the CMS's I've used seem to allow you to decide yourself which techniques to use.

Sounds like you're using a poorly written or outdated CMS.

[dukelips]

snitz , soop

[Trace]

Both, if I'm not mistaken, are ASP applications. That should be your first clue as to their age.

Again, what one product or company decides to use has no value in a discussion like this one. Just because he/she did it, doesn't make it right or wrong.

[dukelips]

but that doesnt mean they dont work properly.

even sites < dedicated to the future of the web > dont come up properly in ie6

[edited by: tedster at 6:35 am (utc) on Sep. 30, 2008]