So, the last surprise of Olympus is ...

[SamG]

But would I be right in saying that there is nothing actually wrong with using tables at all apart from the implied meaning of the content in the tags?

It's something like the difference between saying "train" and "mode of transportation." One is specific in meaning, one is general. "Table" is quite specific, while "division" is quite general. By using <table> incorrectly, we assign meaning to content that it doesn't actually have. By using <div> incorrectly, we strip away meaning from the content. So the meaning of the tag is important, I think.

[ElbertF]

So how would you make something like this (dynamically) without tables?

This is possible with CSS only, yes.

That wasn't the question, I asked how he would do it. He might figure out that it's better just to use tables in this case. Klor explained it quite nicely.

[Highway of Life]

oh.

You don't want me to do it?

[digibluez]

better,no i never use tables,nowhere ever! I fiddle with the css properties over a week or more,but i wont use tables in my own layouts. I used to,but i found out that tables can mess the layout as well ,just like some say div's do. If you use it correctly they wont. Just a matter of taste and deisnger flavour.

[VxJasonxV]

Tables should be used for tabular data.
If you don't use tables even then, you're going against the purpose of HTML.

[digibluez]

yeah i might,but who makes the rules of the web and html. no one really. I breack them and who knows might be a new trend. Actually i even never had the need to use tables in my themes(dont mean phpbb),anymore.

[dhn]

yeah i might,but who makes the rules of the web and html. no one really.

This comment really shows how little you know.

[digibluez]

yes,do not make me laugh. I learned css,xhtml,php only 1year. And i wonder how long did the others need to come to the conclusion - no tables in viewforum/viewtopic. I do not mean the phpbb dev team,no hard feelings. No wonder they never got to be xhtml and css valid,the standards

[asmith3006]

I'll admit I don't know much about css and html, but it sounds to me like you know you're using CSS inappropriatly yet you're saying that the current subSilver is wrong for using tables?

Why can you "break the rules" but no one else?

[Klors]

@digibluez
I don't know if I'm just misunderstanding your english, but when the original subBlue design was finalised I don't think XHTML and CSS were in anything like the shape they are now and were probably not even fully implemented standards.

Even the subBlue design you're looking at now would have been created before XHTML and CSS were really mature.

You'll have to wait and see whether the new "release" style takes full advantage of tableless layout in those places where it makes sense.

Why can you "break the rules" but no one else?

Because, like most other debates about style issues in coding, it comes down to a few zealots left arguing the toss after most other people have moved on quietly using the middle ground.