I have a friend who wishes to work as a freelance web developer, but insists that tables are the way forwards for layouts.
Several points he maintains in favour of tables:
- This is what was taught at the beginning of 10 years of programming & computer science degrees, thus it ‘must’ be right.
- Large companies use tables to achieve ‘technical’ things (like server side scripting and working with forms)
- It saves time.
I have coded him some examples of CSS exactly matching table based layouts, and provided many links to articles explaining SEO and accessibility benefits.
With regards to semantic uses of HTML tags, I have explained at length with examples how tables are great for displaying tabular data but not for general layout.
From the perspective of a client, I have been explaining to him that I wouldn’t hire someone using outdated methods as their main strategy for layout. As he is my friend and I wish him every success, I believe it is important for him to gain the best start when pitching for work.
The question again: How can I explain to a programmer that CSS positioning has many benefits over table based layouts?
Tell the programmer to look up accessibility requirements and/or 508 standards. Depending on his target market that should mean it’s a requirement.
Otherwise challenge him to a contest. Take a scenario of a potential client that likes the functionality but wants this button moved there, that menu moved here, blah, blah, blah. See who wins.
In your friends defense. If he is targeting small businesses, most of them probably won’t know the difference if he uses tables or CSS. They just want a site that works.
It really sounds like your friend is just lazy. He’s not going to last as a free lance developer for long if he insists on not keeping up with the technology and trends.