I'm baffled,

I can't figure out what is breaking my layout on this page;

http://www.notsounknown.co.uk/forum/...php?forum_id=6

If you look at the second table the left hand border extends to the bottom of the page instead of just finishing at the bottom of the table.

I guess it's just a tag that's not closed properly or something, but I think I've been looking at the code too long!

Can someone possibly help me out?

Simon

PS. Same problem with this page http://www.notsounknown.co.uk/forum/...p?topic_id=133 this one is worse but as far as I can see they both use the same templates!

run it through the W3C Validator to see the problems.

Originally Posted by chrishirst

run it through the W3C Validator to see the problems.

Uhm? The validator will not save the day. That misinterpretation #1 in webdesign, I guess. The validator is just a tester that parses your html for correct coding, not for layout purposes. I mean, the validator ain't intelligent, it can't read or look at all. it can parse your outlines for correct HTML, that's all.

Given that there are 187 errors in that page, clearing those up might be a good thing to do first.

Incorrect code can cause unpredictable results.

Thanks for the help. 187 errors! The problem is I didn't create the template.

Just checked the default template for wowbb and that has 130 ish errors, thats not a good starting point!

I'll see if I can find out where this problem is coming from using those results.

Simon

The validator is just a tester that parses your html for correct coding, not for layout purposes. ...
... it can parse your outlines for correct HTML

Yes that's the idea. A lot of layout problems are caused with invalid code. Fixing that at least removes it from the problem.

Simon
The majority of the problems could be fixed by using a HTML 4.01 Transitional doctype.
The code is not valid to XHTML because of all the tags being in uppercase, once that's cleared up you will start to see the coding errors.

oh, I see, I'll try that. I think the forum templates should have valid code really before distributing it.

For your information, I have fixed the problem, there was an extra opening table for the emoticons withou a correct close, so it was extenfing right to the bottom of the page - or something along those lines anyway!

Thanks for your help.
Simon

recedo, glad you got everything fixed. Templates though are notorious for having not only invalid code, but poor code in general. Most of the templates I've seen seem to be created for the look and then coded in a way that's fastest for the template developer. That often leads to poor code.

Thanks.

Yeah, I understand that. I don't think people will ever use do it all 'right', as long as it looks good. Not unless the net ends up more like building, with regulations, planning permission and so on! I can't see that!

I guess most of the browsers are quite good with these errors.

Oh well,

Simon

I know what you mean Simon about people just wanting it to look good and how regulations would get people to code better.

I don't think regulations are necessary though. I think it's just good business sense to have a well developed site. For example aside from the poor code most templates are very slow to download usually because of all the good looking visuals. Research has shown over and over again that 8 seconds is the average people will wait for your site to load before clicking the back button on their browser. So if people aren't go to view those sites wouldn't it make sense for business owners not to use them. I think in time as more people get savy about what works and doesn't in a website you'll see better coded templates. Once people start insisting that they be coded better they will be.

I don't think it needs the regulations. I think it will come abuut by capitalism and people wanting more efficient templates before they buy. As people buy more templates, more template designers will look for a way to separate themselves from the competition. They will develop code validating templates, quicker downloading templates, and search engine friendly templates. As more people see the benefits of these better coded templates the poorly coded ones of today will start to fade.