[WEB4LIB] absolute positioning versus floating

[ian at ik2.us]

If you are using a two column layout with the left column for navigational
elements, absolute positioning allows you to place the code for left menu
after the primary content of the page.

For individuals reading your page by way of a screen-reader, this gives them
access the primary content prior to reading through the site-wide
navigation.  If users navigate multiple pages on your site, they might
appreciate not reading the site navigation repeatedly.  You might also
circumvent this issue by placing a hidden 'skip to content' link.

Absolute positioning may vary depending on the user's browser. We address
this issue by using a script to select the linking of style sheets based on
user-agent detection.

We also include a style sheet link specific to handhelds.  This style sheet
removes the fixed positioning and allows the content to find a PDA screen.

Float works nicely because the layers can move dynamically depending on the
width of the user's browser window.  I've typically used them for pages with
menus on the right-side of the page.

Regards,

Ian Chan
Librarian
Seattle Central Community College
http://dept.sccd.ctc.edu/cclib/




-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of John Fitzgibbon
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 8:12 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] absolute positioning versus floating


Hi,

When creating a side bar on the left side of a web page is it best to create
the side bar by absolutely positioning a div zero pixels from the left and
zero pixels from the top or is it best to create the sidebar by having the
DIV float to the left?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

Regards
John

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