Cant figure out how to replace a table w/ css

I'm using a css template from OSWD.org. I have almost everything working the way I want it. However, I have the main content in a <div> and in this div, I need two columns, side by side. I used to use a table for this layout but I would like to eliminate the use of tables and have the two columns in css. I've tried div and span. No matter what I do, the second "container" ends up below the first "container" instead of beside it. Each side should be the same width. The template I'm using is here: http://www.oswd.org/design/preview/id/2450. The div in which I'm working is the class of "article". Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

I love CSS (wouldn't have a clue how to use tables) but I still count myself as a newbie so hopefully someone will confirm / correct me

My guess would be to give the second column an id and then float it. Something like:

#rightcolumn {
float:right;
}

Then clear whatever comes after it - clear:both - (this might not be necessary. Someone with more experience, feel free to correct me.)

Also, you'd have to compensate for the extra width in the "container" div, widen it by the width of the second column or halve the width of both columns.

Hope this helps

-Mark

 

Well I've been using tables since 1995, so teaching this old dog some new tricks is not going over all that well. I really want to get away from tables so I guess I'm going to have to get a book on css and really try to learn this stuff.

 

I could not see the style sheet at the link you provided. Actually it looked like that site was using frames.

If all you want is 3 col you just need a 3 col layout. I found this site most helpful. http://www.glish.com/css/

I am a css virgin but I manged to do a true css 3 column design (with some help) at free2sms dot net. In my case I have the 2 small col on the outside but changing the widths would be easy.

 

css columns are hard to master .. and cross browser compatibility is a headache

 

I know it's easier to help when you can see the code and unfortunately, it's on the in house development server. So I've moved it out to a temp location on the production site:
(remove the spaces, I don't want the SE's picking this up)
http:// www. mocap .com/_temp/default2.asp
http:// www. mocap .com/_temp/insidepage.asp
http:// www. mocap .com/_temp/main.css

I've got most of the bugs worked out (or so it seems). But I would really like this to validate. I'm going out today to buy a book on css because that's the easiest way for me to learn is by reading a how to book. So if there is one you recommend, I'd appreciate the heads up.

Thank you

 

I've been fan of Sitepoint's books, or at least their articles (which are just chapters from books.)

 

Just made my site valid - feel free to look at the source.