For CSS blog pros, what two column layout design do you prefer?

Question

This is for the standard type with header/footer. Does it make a big difference if it's "liquid" or not- what about pixels/fixed widths vs. percentages and negative margins? I've used different types but not sure about all platforms. I just feel like I read a bunch of stuff but never sure what's really best.

I'm referring to more than one site and am just asking mostly in theory, you know, what you have trouble with vs. what you don't however I'd say most are informative with text yet designed to be attractive so there are some occasional pics in with the text as well as the standard pics on the sidebar. Typical type blogs I'd say.

Answer 1

Is your page mostly text, or mostly graphics, or a blend? Maybe you should consider, even, an "elastic" layout...

As for what I prefer, on content-heavy sites, I prefer 3-columns (liquid, navbar 15% floated left, content 85% floated right, then within content main 65% floated left, sidebar 35% floated right). With small sites I prefer top navbar with two columns, main 65% floated left, sidebar floated right, within a wrapper 85% of screen...all trying to avoid lines getting too long or too short to make for uncomfortable legibility.

Answer 2

It really depends on what you intend to convey with your design. Good designs can be fixed and other good designs can be fluid. It's ultimately about what suits your overall design the best. It is always better, though, to create CSS that naturally flows with every browser. Your markup should be semantic. You should not depend on tricks like negative margins, or browser hacks, to lay out your page. Elegant CSS works in every browser. It takes time and hard work to create elegant CSS, but it's worth it.

One important thing to keep in mind regarding horizontal fluidity is that people don't like to read wide lines of text... purists say 8-11 words per line or so, but I'd say in general, try to keep it under 16ish. If your site expands for readers with high resolutions, you could be pushing them to 30 words per line or more, which is a strain on the eyes.