Like most heated debates, it is hard to come up with a definitive answer to the debate about whether or not it is still ok to use tables for web site layout. I don’t intend to provide a definitive answer in this post, but I would like to present another way of looking at the problem.

Evaluating Code

It can be very instructive to view the source code of web pages—pretend that you are a web spider, and that it is your job to ignore HTML, CSS, and Javascript in the search of pure content.

Look at some different sites, some laid out with tables, others with HTML and CSS, and see what the difference is. Which makes content more available? I’m not going to say what my opinion on the matter is here. Go do it yourself. Be honest and open-minded about what you find.

Web Site Visualization

Another way to compare table- vs. CSS-based pages is to use this web site visualization applet. The program takes a URL as input and then creates a visual map of that page. Each node is a different color and represents a different HTML tag or element.

Comparing Tables to CSS

Site Laid out with Tables

Click to Enlarge

Let’s first examine a site laid out with tables.

The table site has many, many red nodes (table cells) and pink nodes (images used for site design purposes, not as inline information). If you examine the tree image carefully, these nodes appear to be out on their own, unattached to content, and simply weighing the site down. You could snip them right off the tree without missing them!

Content areas are represented by heavy clusterings of orange nodes. For this site, there are three different orange clusters, meaning the content is split into three different areas.

CSS-based Site

Click to Enlarge

Next, let’s examine the CSS-based site. I selected this page to have about the same amount of content and a similar visual appearance to the table-based page.

First, notice how many fewer nodes there are period. Next, there are two images on the whole page—the site logo and a 1px image used for site stats tracking! Finally, all of the content is in one, accessible area.

Visual Path of the Blind

What these visualizations of web pages really are is a map of the visual path of the blind—both blind humans and blind spiders. The results say to me that it is worth pruning the trees of our sites in order to make them easier to get around!

I feel like my existence has been validated.

Well, at least my web site’s existence. You see, two very awesome things have happened in the last week. First, Google indexed my site for the first time in months since I had to move and then redirect a lot of pages. Second, after lots of careful scrutiny, the Lime Blog now validates as XHTML 1.0 Transitional.

Indexed by Google

Being indexed by Google (and ranked for some key terms) validates my site’s existence because Google knows where it is, and, by indexing my site, states that I have followed some basic rules of good web site development and content creation.

Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional

This is exciting because it means that my site’s XHTML is written according to web standards. It is and will be more accessible and usable than a site that does not follow web standards. My site is more likely to require less maintenance to display correctly in current and future browsers. Valid code is one of the basic standards of web design, and now I know for sure that I can do it, even with multiple external solutions and plugins.

Is This All There Is?

Of course not. Being indexed by search engines and having valid code are only two parts of a huge range of important factors that determine how successful a site is. For example, DiamondLime could use a few more visitors, and I’m still working on the graphical presentation. But at least I’m making progress.

How’s your site coming along?

There is a tragedy in the making.

The House of Representatives has passed a bill that allows telecommunication companies to charge different users different rates for the use of the same services—that is, your broadband company can charge ANY content providers on the Net more to use its bandwidth simply because their content competes with its own.

Throwing Out Net Neutrality

One of the founding principles of the Internet is that it is neutral—all people everywhere have the same right to content anywhere else. By passing a bill that allows telecommunications companies to charge unevenly, to discriminate against certain sites, companies, or content types, the House of Representatives is allowing these companies to effectively censor the Internet.

How will we find the best possible content when it is blocked by our ISPs? How will new startups stand a chance when they can’t pay the ISPs’ fees?

The Senate Has a Chance…

To stand up for the principles of free speech and equality and not bow to lobbying money from power-hungry companies. The Senate has yet to vote on the telecommunications bill. Write to your senator and tell him to support Net Neutrality. Sign the Save the Internet Petition.

Here’s a button I made that you can use to support the campaign:

What web character are you? What level have you attained? If you’ve ever wondered where you stack up in the world of web design, what you need to work on, or how to improve your skills, then you need a ratings guide. Like a role playing game, you can now “level up” to earn respect and acquire new powers. Here’s how you establish your level:

Rate Your HTML Strength

Visit 456 Berea Street to determine your HTML level

Rate Your CSS Wizardry

Go to FriendlyBit to determine your CSS level

Rate Your JavaScript Power

See Dean Edward’s blog to determine your JavaScript level

Rate Your Accessibility Dexterity

Finally, visit the Fawny blog to determine your Accessibility level

Determine Your Overall Web Design Level

The possible levels of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Accessibility sum up to a total of 25. Add each of your ratings together and find your overall web design level in the chart below:

I got a 17, and thus I am a lower code mage. I must hone my skills and increase my powers!

Amazon recently announced its new print-on-demand service. Books printed with the service will be given the same treatment as any other book on Amazon.com.

JIT Publishing

If Amazon can implement its print-on-demand service successfully, it will revolutionize the book market. A print-on-demand solution would allow old titles to be brought back and new, unproven titles to be offered without risk. The huge reduction in risk would justify the higher costs that authors and publishers would pay to get their books printed. If Amazon can reduce the price difference between inventoried and on-demand books, warehousing costs will fall dramatically and we will have JIT publishing for more and more titles.

Access to All Printed Works

If Amazon partnered with Google Book Search, they could find a way to monetize the works of thousands of authors and to compensate these authors (a major complaint against Google Book Search). You could even do a fee-based print-on-demand service for selections of text! Most importantly of all, customers would have access to new copies of virtually any book ever made!

One to One Media

This development points to what seems to be a general trend in media of any sort—media consumption is moving away from one-size-fits-all mass media to one-to-one, niche media. Media consumption is way up, and consumers are getting it from more and more different sources. There are now hundreds of television channels, millions of niche web sites, and affordable access to more printed and recorded materials than ever before in history.

As a consumer, I’m excited to be able to get more of what I want and to cut out the crap that I don’t need. I want certain shows and certain books, and I don’t need most of the programs on the tube and most of the advertisements that I see. I know advertisements are important for publishers and producers to support the content they provide, but I’m sick of seeing advertisements that have nothing to do with me. I’d be far more inclined to watch advertisements, or pay a slight premium on a book, DVD, or CD, if it were relevant to me.

As a publisher of content, I’m excited that more interested people will have access to my materials. It’s getting easier and easier to find your target audience and to establish a dialogue with and sell to them.

Quality Control

Easy access to books and media will help to ensure the cream of the crop will rise to the top. Previously obscure authors, musicians, and artists will be discovered, and mediocre or awful ones will be shunned because consumers will now have the choice to abandon them for something better.

I say, “Go Amazon!” I can’t wait to see what new or revived titles will appear in my searches because of their print-on-demand effort. Maybe I’ll even publish a book that you’ll find on Amazon someday!