It may be easier to use table based layout at the beginning. But if you want to do some modifications to your site later, you will find CSS based a lot easier.
Hiya drhowarddrfine, I read other posts to! I know what you mean, you tend to get about 10 of the same answers in one thread. DP is really bad for that.
I consider my site sort of tables, and a bit retro. But it supplies one and a half company's worth of work. Plus Adsense income. If my site fits the description of tables, then I'm fine with tables or CSS.
Divs give you more opportunities than tables, but somethimes tables are irreplaceable, so learn to use them both.