Some friendly word of advise?

I know this is going to be crap and filled with errors but I thought I'd just post up how far I've got with my site design.

Please take into account I've just started coding as I usually pay someone else to do it and concentrate on the design side so please be kind when telling me how I'm getting along

http://77pixels.com/temp/

Alot of stuff still needs sorting and styled but you'll get the idea. Also how do I set the footer to stay at the bottom?

Using a lot of bad coding techniques. Code doesn't validate. The main problem is your use of images. The white background and border can be achieved through css. No need to use images. No need to use on every element. Also using techniques like is bad coding and there is usually a better way to achieve what you want to do. CSS could be optimized a lot aswell. For example you use which should be Hope that helps you.

(Navigation is off in IE6)

daz pretty much hit the mark. Just take a look at some "professional" coders and coding jobs, and look at how they do certain stuff.

I agree, you have a lot of weird coding going on there. In FF 2.0 the links at the top are not clickable...

ahhh crap, oh well gotta live and learn I guess. I'm determined to get this right, so I gotta roll with the punches :P

Originally Posted by Andrew R daz pretty much hit the mark. Just take a look at some "professional" coders and coding jobs, and look at how they do certain stuff.

I have been but when you haven't a clue it's not easy. I mean I can do plenty with photoshop but someone looking at an image may not know how or why to get those results. (if that made sense)

Originally Posted by daz Using a lot of bad coding techniques. Code doesn't validate. The main problem is your use of images. The white background and border can be achieved through css. No need to use images. No need to use Code: position: relative; on every element. Also using techniques like Code: top: -300px; is bad coding and there is usually a better way to achieve what you want to do.

I have no idea how to get the right result though?

Originally Posted by daz CSS could be optimized a lot aswell. For example you use Code: background-image: url(img/bottom_wood.jpg); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: bottom; which should be Code: background: url("img/bottom_wood.jpg") no-repeat bottom;

This though is good advise, thank you!

I have no idea how to get the right result though?

Learn from example. Like Andrew said, look at professional css coding and see how they achieve their results. You'll find they don't use any position: absolute; or top: -whatever; in their code.

i think you are off to a pretty good start though. keep at it and it will come to you. and if you have questions, post em, or google them.

Originally Posted by jabberwocky i think you are off to a pretty good start though. keep at it and it will come to you. and if you have questions, post em, or google them.

Cheers even as a 30 year old support is needed.

I really have to stick with this because I can't be bothered to keep paying people to do the coding and also it makes for better designs.