Archive for September 17th, 2008

How to use the Font Tag

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

It’s disheartening, but I got an email this morning from a former co-worker (teacher).  He is a Web design/development teacher, and I feel like he has his act together.  Here is his email:

So my professor taught us how to use the font tag last night.  No joke.  I had a hard time not saying anything.

I am not sure if this makes it better, but she said that we had to use “” with our attribute values, though, because then it complies with web standards.

Do I say something?

And here is my response:

This is a really hard situation to be in. I definitely don’t think you should say something in front of the class.

Tread carefully, but I might talk to her alone and explain that you have been doing web design for a very long time. Explain why you use CSS over font tags (why you as a web designer separate content from presentation. Not “you” as in the general public). You’ll get a feeling if she is receptive or not to what you are saying.

Is this a prerequisite for another class? Do you have to take this class? If she isn’t receptive to what you are saying I would try to get out of the class.

Jason

It’s one thing to try to force the teaching of CSS for complete and total page layout on a college professor. I could stomach an argument for the use of tables for certain presentational effects. However, teaching the use of the font tag in 2008 is irresponsible. That might be a little strong considering I don’t know the background of this teacher. Perhaps my friend should try harder to point this professor in the right direction. Your thoughts?