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3 column layout question

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From: Martin Pistorius
Date: Oct 26, 2006 9:30AM

Hi there,

I need to create a 3 column liquid layout; which I've done by essentially
having 3 divs one floated left, one floated right both of them with set
widths and then one div in the centre, without a set width.
The basic design works well across all browsers, and no hacks were needed.

However what bothers me about it, is the HTML is structured in such a way
that the left div which will contain the main navigation, and the right div
which will contain links to documents or other less important information,
appear before the middle div containing the sub navigation and the main
content.

My question is, for individuals who rely on screen readers is this a
problem?
There will be a skip to content link on the pages.

If it is a problem, then I'd really appreciate suggestion on how to create a
3 column liquid layout that will work on all browsers, without the need for
hacks or Javascript?
I've looked at a variety of ways to do at and this one seems a good way to
do it.

Below I've included a simple version of the markup and CSS that will be
used.

Thanks,

Martin

<!-- Start of site wrapper -->
<div id="siteWrapper">

<!-- Start of header section -->
<div id="topBar">
<a href="#content">Skip to main content</a> />
</div>

<div id="logo">
<a href="index.htm"><img src="img/logo.gif" alt="logo" border="0" /></a>
</div>

<div id="breadcrumb">
You are here: Home &gt; <a href="#">Bread crumb</a>
</div>
<!-- End of header section -->

<div id="left">

<!-- Start of Main navigation -->
<div class="hiddenMsg">Start of main Navigation</div>

<ul id="mainNav">
<li><a href="index.htm">Home</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Link</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Link</a></li>
</ul>
<!-- End of Main navigation -->

</div>

<div id="right">

<h2>Right Box</h2>
<p>
Right box
</p>
</div>

<div id="middle">

<!-- Start of Sub navigation -->
<div id="SubNav"><a href="#">Sub nav 1</a> | <a href="#">Sub nav 2 </a>| <a
href="#">Sub nav 3</a> | <a href="#">Sub nav 4</a> | <a href="#">Sub nav
5</a> |</div>
<!-- End of Sub navigation -->

<h1>Main content</h1>

<p>
Main content div
</p>

</div>


<div id="footer">footer
</div>


</div>
<!-- End of Site wrapper -->

</body>
</html>

----------------------------------------------

#left {
float:left;
width:150px;
margin:1px; padding:0;
border:solid 1px blue;
}

#middle {
margin:0 160px;
border:solid 1px green;
}

#right {
float:right;
width:150px;
margin:0; padding:0;
border:solid 1px red;
}




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