CSS - to use or not to use??

[Amanda]

Hi,

I am in the process of implementing my web site, and I am using (or trying to use MS FrontPage). First of all I have to say that I find the software somewhat confusing - perhaps because I don't fully understand if I should be using CSS or not.

When I view the HTML code that frontpage generates, I notice a lot of embedded style codes. Shouldn't I be staying away from this and trying to implement good CSS practices (I mean external CSS)? Or is this standard still considered new?

Also, when I use the FontPage shared borders tool (I guess it's a concept taken directly from the idea of CSS) I don't see the code for items within a shared border, but when I look through my directory for a CSS file, I can't find one either.

Any input would be great.

Thanks,

Amanda Ayles

[akashik]

While I think Frontpage is writing better code than it used to, it still does a hatchet job of html. Pretty much anything written with it is going to look less than optimal.

There's nothing wrong with embedding CSS, though external style sheets may make your job easier in the long run across a whole site.

CSS is worthwhile if it adds to your site. By using it you have a finer level of control over formatting, typography, bordering etc, then just through html alone. The Netscape issue with CSS is less now than it used to be as *thankfully* Netscape is going away (at least that nasty ver 4).

If you can get your hands on Macromedia Dreamweaver you may find it a lot easier to use, especially regarding CSS. I've never used Frontpage so I can't say for sure of course.

Greg Moore

[thenovice]

:) U should definitely use CSS...its makes page maintenance lot easier and the layout will be more consistent thru' out. FrontPage generates a lot of weird looking spaghetti code. I suggest something along the lines of 1stPage from www.evrsoft.com.

[JTY]

CSS makes life easier.... especially when you want to change things like text color or size, since you can make all those done in a central location.....