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The CSS Resource Guide: Getting Rid of Table Layouts Forever

If you are still using table based layouts for your web developement projects, you’re getting left behind.  CSS/XHMTL design layouts are not only en vouge, they are imperative.  And they are much easier to use than you think!  So you don’t know where to start?  Here’s 5 can’t miss CSS resources for every designer and developer.

1. W3Schools.com CSS Tutorial:  The w3Schools.com website offers some of the best site on the web.  They are the ultimate resource to ensure your code is valid, as they are run by the people who are the web standards authority.  If you’ve never seen a Cascading Style Sheet in your life, this is the place to start!

2. Sitepoint’s CSS Reference Guide: No matter if you’ve been using CSS your entire life or only have seen it created by Dreamweaver, the Sitepoint CSS Reference Guide is an amazing resource.  It goes through each and every type of styles, classes, and layout patterns and gives you the right syntax and examples for each.  While you might not be able to “learn” CSS, this is the ultimate handy, free online guide for every level of CSS expertise.

3. CSS Zen Garden: This is the website that inspired me to learn CSS no matter what the cost!  It gives an amazing look at the power of CSS and why it’s the wave of the future.  Like anything, the best way to learn CSS is to see it in action, see how it works, and actually sort through the code to see why everything works.  This site gives you everything you need to learn by tearing code apart.  Users of Zen Garden have created many amazing designs of the site which you can switch to in real time and see how the content is presented.  Words can’t give this justice! In addition, it gives you everything you need to create your OWN version of Zen Garden which could be featured.

4. Web Developers Network:  This offers a complete, complex set of resources for CSS.  Whether you need tutorials, guides, etc., this site has it all. This is a must bookmark for any web developer and offers everything you need for a plethora of technologies, including CSS.

5. The CSS Validator: Once you’ve created your CSS layout, this is the resource you need to make sure it’s validated.  Validated code is essential, so bookmark this one for sure.

There!  Now go and start learning CSS.  And check back from more specific CSS tutorials in the near future!