Re: a compromise on tables, etc.

Jay C. Weber (weber@eit.COM)
Fri, 3 Dec 1993 23:11:47 -0800


> From: dale@ora.com (Dale Dougherty)
>
> I have wondered if
> tables are a special multimedia object that requires
> its own "viewer," just as XV handles graphics. I imagine
> a separate table processor that WWW browsers can
> invoke. It might even permit some manipulation of the
> data, as would a spreadsheet.

Yeah, someone else suggested I use excel data files. Of course
that is pretty platform-specific (and not to mention proprietary),
but there are more platform-independent formats (SYLK?). I've
already played with this and it helps a little, but falls short for
a number of applications.

I would use tables for layout of forms, simulated text flow around
embedded images, simulated two-column pages, and table cells containing
links. (You could do the latter with a custom viewer that remote
controls the browser, but it'll get pretty hairy.) Basically, tables
are the key to advanced use of HTML widget real estate.

In TeX, the basic mechanism for advanced layout is the construction
and stacking of boxes. My BOX tag suggestion is analogous. Is there
no one else who thinks that it is both simple and useful?

Jay