Hi, I learned how to design web pages as a hobby. Ever since I've been coding it's very tiresome to fix Internet explorer problems. I don't know why on earth M$ made such a conflicting browser or why 40%+ of the users on the web use IE6 & 7! Anyways, considering that I'm somewhat uneducated on compatibility I was looking for help and perhaps some pointers on how to avoid such problems.

First I'd like help on this: http://everythingzen.freehostia.com
php includes: http://everythingzen.freehostia.com/doggy.php
http://everythingzen.freehostia.com/footer.php

I've validated the css and html. They came up with no problems.
For best results on evaluating this problem, please view this on IE 6/7 and any other reliable browser as a cross reference. My hypothesis is that the problem lies in the .rightpannel & .leftpannel
I'm looking for an easy fast solution that will work for all screen resolutions and all common browser. (IE,FF,Opera,Safari)

I'd really like not having to change my whole template on this website but if you can refer me to a similar template that is cross browser compatible or just some tips how to avoid problems like this that would be more than appreciated. Thanks in advanced.

Ok, first thing I noticed is the ending </body> tag is in the MIDDLE of your page and you have your 2nd "container" AFTER that ending body tag - fix that in your includes.

Second, get rid of the <center> tags and center with css, by applying a width and using margin: xxx auto;

I don't see why you're using 2 containers. Why not use just ONE container and put everything inside it ?

IE does NOT support min/max width and height, so you will have to use a separate stylesheet for IE only, called using conditional comments. You have to feed IE a fixed width - which it will incorrectly stretch anyway.

You really should be putting your text into proper paragraphs.

Thanks a bunch for the criticism. It's hard to find someone to take the time out to look at your coding.

I'll fix the sloppy 'includes' and tags.

I have 2 containers because the .container field is for the whole box and I put the .content in there because I needed to format the side borders on the text and I can further format the text how I wish. If you have a better way I'm all ears... or eyes in this case.

I normally don't do the center tag in html, don't know why I did that exactly.

So are you saying that I'm going to need a whole new style sheet for IE. I can make a script in php based on USER_AGENT correct? I haven't ever done it or googled it yet, but i'll get on that.

By the way I really love your signature.
Again, thanks a lot Red!

So are you saying that I'm going to need a whole new style sheet for IE.

No, just the bits that need to be slightly different.

I can make a script in php based on USER_AGENT correct

No need. Conditional Comments

I have 2 containers because the .container field is for the whole box and I put the .content in there because I needed to format the side borders

Ok, but you have 2 <div class="container">, not just one with "content" inside it. That's what I was referring to.

-Chris, wow... I never knew that CSS had conditional statements so I automatically assumed that she was referring to php. Please bare with me, sense I'm not a professional, I've taught myself everything I know which leaves me ignorant somewhat ignorant.

-LadyNRed, I didn't see that. I made a lot of changes, commenting out the divs and placing the divs in different places just for trouble shooting purposes. I suppose I forgot about changing it back.

Thanks!

CSS doesn't have conditional comments, IE has them.
It's one of the very few non-standard features among the very many non-standard features (documented and otherwise) of IE that is actually useful.

CSS expressions is the other one

Awesome. Thanks to you guy's I'm rolling right along and have learned a lot from what you've all said. I'm loving it. I do have one problem though. I remember why I had the center tag wrapped around the h3 and image. I can't get it to center without. Margin: 0 auto; isn't working. I've tried many different things, but I can't seem to get it to work... Ideas?

Nvm, I was being dumb.

<problem>
Fixed
</problem>
Anything else I need to fix feel free to share.