Abhishek Reddy — Fri, 09 Jan 2004 00:52:59 +0000

I'm always surprised when programmers say they don't get CSS.

Using a CSS file to describe output styles is like using some sort of 'definition library'... could liken it to theming an interface/toolkit. That is, you have content (text/images), within a framework (XHTML/XML) which for our purposes is like loading the content into a program, and you use included style definitions to alter the way the interface looks (e.g. change foreground/background colours of interface).

The only other possibility I can think of is that programmers are unfamiliar with using the DOM... but that can't be, because programmers work with all kinds of objects. In fact, a better way look at it is this: the content is housed within an "object" (outlined by XHTML/HTML DOM), and each element of this object has style properties, which can be delineated by CSS (and Javascript).

Interfacing with XML documents is not limited to only client-side web scripting, so should not be dark territory to programmers at all. Using a stylesheet is just one way of describing the appearance of elements in an XML document... just a simple set of definitions.

Sorry if I sound like I'm ranting or going off on a tangent. I was just thinking aloud.

The Webmistress — Thu, 08 Jan 2004 17:12:27 +0000

You'll get the hang of it, I did! Just take it one step at a time and then it does all sink into place and make sense

mjs416 — Thu, 08 Jan 2004 17:05:14 +0000

I agree. I am a software guy , I can program in a few languages for an assortment of applications and enviroments. But something about

a:hover {
text-decoration: none;
background-color: #CCCCCC;
}

still throws me for a loop....lol. =)

The Webmistress — Thu, 08 Jan 2004 16:54:11 +0000

I find the whole CSS very confusing so it's nice to find a site that breaks down the basics enough for you to be able to use it and then you can build on it from there.

mjs416 — Thu, 08 Jan 2004 16:51:03 +0000

The Webmistress wrote: This tutorial site goes over the basics of controlling links with css

What an excellent abbreviated tutorial. Thanks a bunch.

The Webmistress — Thu, 08 Jan 2004 15:47:28 +0000

This tutorial site goes over the basics of controlling links with css

mjs416 — Thu, 08 Jan 2004 15:24:58 +0000

Suzanne wrote: use CSS, not JavaScript -- a:hover

Ummm..... that really didnt help me. Thanks?

Suzanne — Wed, 07 Jan 2004 23:00:40 +0000

use CSS, not JavaScript -- a:hover