Are tables really that bad? I find if its setup properly and all the tables are the correct size ect I see no problem with them. Why do people hate them? Also about css I wanted to know if its possible to use a font that does not come with the normal installation of windows (a custom font)??
The problem with tables (at least) is that people create very full code with them. Meaning, when you nest tables within tables, the code/content ratio starts leaning towards code, instead of content. Which is not good for your SEO (search engine optimisation). another problem with tables is that when one cell changes, the rest has to change with it, often. CSS is a bit harder to learn though, which may be the emotional background to people 'hating' tables: they invested in learning CSS, trained themselves to not use tables and now they have to defend that choice. Sure you can set up a font with CSS that doesn't come with windows, but don't expect all your users to see that font. You can design it to have several fonts - the preferred one (only for those who have installed that font) and then a generic one that isn't too different (for those people who have installed that font) and then a variation of one or two for apple, usually ending with the specification that if none of the above are present on a users machine they should at least try a sans-serif (or a serif) font. Hope that helps.
Thank you for your reply. I do see what you mean by the code to content ratio and now see why people would hate it. I will try to learn HTML so I can create better sites easier. Is there a shortcut to what tags I need to learn to create a basic website? I know the basics of <p> <b> ect. all the commonly used ones. Is there a way to upload a new font to a user so they see that font on the page? or do I have to stick with the default fonts when designing?