--- On Thu, 3/19/09, Michael Stevens <bigm...@bigmikes.org> wrote: > So, is it uncommon, or bad practice, to use both in this > situation? > > {height: 7.2em; width: 20%;}
More and more, I find myself using the two in various combinations. It gets particularly interesting if you throw pixels into the mix (which *can* still have valid uses!) and/or combine different measurements with, for example, width, min-width, and max-width. Generally speaking, I think the following are relevant points: 1. Line lengths are less legible if they are too short or too long; this suggests some level of box-sizing related to font-size, i.e. ems. 2. That's not to say the line length cannot vary; min-width and max-width in ems can still achieve readable copy with varying font sizes. 3. Horizontal scrolling is BAD. Unrestricted em-sizing tends to lead to horizontal scrolling, but this can be mitigated (esp. on the good browsers) with max-width as a percentatge - e.g. 100% 4. Users with v. wide screen resolutions might like to take advantage of the fact. This suggests some level of percentage-based box sizing (for width). 5. Equally, users with narrow resolutions are increasingly common - mobile phones, handheld games consoles, pdas, etc. It would be wise to ensure your content is at least readable by them, so large fixed widths may not be the best long-term strategy. I think 'combined measure' layouts are the way of the future; georg (I /think/ - apologies if someone else!) discussed these at great length in an excellent mail the other day. Em layouts have fallen out of favour recently with the introduction of page zooming, especially given that percentage-based layouts tend to behave 'nicely' with this technique (i.e. NOT causing horizontal scrollbars in good browser implementations). I don't think 'unrestricted' percentage-based layouts are the end of the story, though. I'm currently experimenting with a (much improved) layout for my site's home page which will combine some of these concepts to produce a layout that scales nicely with font size, adapts to browser width appropriately, and gives everyone 'screen estate' value for money. More on http://www.fiveminuteargument.com very soon. - Bobby ______________________________________________________________________ css-discuss [cs...@lists.css-discuss.org] http://www.css-discuss.org/mailman/listinfo/css-d List wiki/FAQ -- http://css-discuss.incutio.com/ List policies -- http://css-discuss.org/policies.html Supported by evolt.org -- http://www.evolt.org/help_support_evolt/