Site design: tables or CSS or what?

What is today's preferred method of web page design

[Web Footed Newbie]

For all of those with lots of web design experience, what is the best way to start the design of a web site? Should I use tables, CSS, or is there another preferred method?
Thanks,
Web Footed Newbie :)

[Birdman]

I personally use "all css", but read this thread for some good opinions: CSS vs TABLE LAYOUT [webmasterworld.com]

[graywolf]

The way I see it this is like asking which is better a hammer or a screwdriver? You can always drive a nail with the handle of a screwdriver, or hit a screw into place with a hammer, but it's easier if you use the right tool for the right job.

CSS works better for somethings, tables for others. If you can't get it to work one way try the other.

Just my 2 cents.

[BjarneDM]

I'ld go with CSS because of the flexibility. You can do things with CSS that are just impossible to achieve with tables. On the other hand, tables are easy to understand, but *very* inflexible to to any change i page design, and can furthermore lead to very convoluted code.

Personally, I've converted the site I adminster wholly from tables to CSS layout and am very happy with this change :-)

[TheDave]

I like a mixture of both :) I havent even begun to look at using CSS for laying out my pages, I only use it for fonts etc.

[DLadybug]

Come over to the CSS board and see the variants on this theme. :)

Actually, I haven't been able to learn enough of it to do it well, but I have a goal! You can use CSS for layout, and still use tables. The standard calls for using tables when tables are truly appropriate, such as when your content is tabbed-type. I can't think of a decent example..maybe something like a list of authors and plot blurbs and if that book is currently in print or avail in paperback or hard cover...

Anyway, someone over in the CSS board has the exact validating info on when CSS should be used vs when a table is appropriate.

Dian :)