Layers problem need some help!

[strangejuice]

I am trying to make the page: http://franceapartments.orgfree.com

There are several hotspots on the right "Apartments in Paris" "Apartments and houses in france" etc which are being covered by Layer5 which contains the tables and text on the right.
Because the layer is covering them the hotspots don't work. Is there anything I can do about this??

[ukgeoff]

The way to get rid of your problem is to structure your html properly.

You need a DOCTYPE.

Get rid of all the tables being used purely as layout devices and structure your layout with divs.

Put your css into a seperate file and <link... it into your html pages. Likewise with any JavaScript.

[strangejuice]

I cannot do that.
Are you telling me there is absolutely no way to do it while leaving the tables there?

[ukgeoff]

Originally Posted by strangejuice

I cannot do that.

Why not?

It's the common sense thing to do and it's good coding practice.

[strangejuice]

Imageready automatically exports the optimised files in table format. I will screw up the allignment of everything if I start from scratch trying to figure out how to use div tags - especially with a deadline ending in 7 hours.

[ukgeoff]

The only thing I can think you can try at this stage is to apply a z-index value to the map to lift it above the tables that are covering it.

I'm sorry to sound so negative but the entire coding of the page is absolute rubbish. Nobody who knows anything about proper coding would dream of doing what you have done.

No one would produce a <map> for what is a list of links. I could go on.

If my suggestion does work, then consider it a stop gap and get the job done properly.

[strangejuice]

"I'm sorry to sound so negative but the entire coding of the page is absolute rubbish. Nobody who knows anything about proper coding would dream of doing what you have done."
Can you check it out now
http:franceapartments.orgfree.com

Not sure why it's rubbish.
I have fixed my problem.
I made the design in photoshop CS2 - exported it to dreamweaver. It is automatically split up into tables. I put it into a layer and centred the layer with CSS by left position 50% and margin left -half its width in pixels.
I then positioned the text boxes in Div's instead of tables and positioned them using the same technique.

If it works it works, I'm not worried if the coding is terrible (I am not a coder) I just make it so it looks right and works right.

[moojoo]

Um... 50% and half margins are for vertically centering a layout with CSS not horizontally.

Example of that here: http://www.newbeginningsdesign.com/s.../centered.html

If it works it works, I'm not worried if the coding is terrible (I am not a coder) I just make it so it looks right and works right.

That is a terrible mentality and makes me very sad.

[strangejuice]

Then can someone offer me some suggestions then other than just opinions? Getting really worried here

[moojoo]

Think of it like boxes. That layout is simple so what you need is the following:

[ Masthead ]

[ left column] [ right coloumn ]

[ footer ]

Very simple to do with CSS. Use this sample I whipped up as a reference, in fact feel free to steal it and fill it in with your graphics. All the code is commented so you know where everything is. the CSS is in the HTML file, I suggest removing it and linking to an external .css file etc..

Link: http://www.newbeginningsdesign.com/s...mn_layout.html

[strangejuice]

"Um... 50% and half margins are for vertically centering a layout with CSS not horizontally."
I'm not sure. I got that tip from an online tutorial via googling.
So as far as I can tell from your feedback is that if you use the dreamweaver design interface or do anything that they say on the dreamweaver tutorials you're doing it all wrong.
And it is hard for me to accept that right now without me being able to see any problem with my naked eye nor with anyone being any more specific other than saying it is terrible.
I need some guidance here.

[moojoo]

I just provided you with a base utilizing your current layout scheme. Just because it looks right doesn't mean it is. There are many things to consider and leaving the code generation up to a piece of software is never a wise decision as you don't really know what it is doing. You have to take in account many things such as people with smaller screen resolutions, text only browsers, screen readers, the ability to print the page, view it on mobile devices, the site needs to display in a logical way with or without visual styling, things need to be labeled correctly, i.e. alt tags on images, titles on links and such.

Not to mention that if coded correctly it is far easier to make updates, changes, and modify the site based on needs.

As for centering a layout all you need is margin:0 auto; or text-align:center; on the body element. 50% and negative margins are a bumkus way of going about it.

We are not trying to put you down here, you asked for help and people are giving it. you may not like everything you see but it is all honest to goodness comments and advice. using semantic markup and correct methods you will eliminate the problems and errors you are currently having. These are professionals looking at your work and giving input based on their experiences and knowledge. being as such you will get much more detailed comments and comments that may make you feel attacked or put down. Take it all in stride and see what can be learned from it.

[strangejuice]

Thanks guys for your helpful replies. I didn't deliberately overlook your post with the http://www.newbeginningsdesign.com/s...mn_layout.html
I didn't see it before I posted. I now see where your coming from. I looked at a few websites with no "no style" and saw that mine looked like a peice of ****.

I am going to have to figure out how to attatch things on an external style sheet, something I have never done before.

Thanks guys for the eye openners.