title: css layout: margins and padding versus absolute positioning?
body: <p>I'd like to get some feedback on using padding and margins for page layout versus absolute positioning. I realize that there are and will be scenarious where either or both are preferred and that will depend on the scenario.</p>
  
  <p>But what I'm getting at is overall page layout for pixel perfect designs what is the general rule of thumb? I'm a little more than a year into HTML and CSS and I'm coming from a graphic design background, so most of my train of thought lies heavily on approaching a design from a layout standpoint first. So far in my web designs I have used the rule of thumb to use appropriately titled divs with floats, padding and margins when laying out a page, and if something requires absolute positioning (like an element to be stuck on the edge of the screen or a div) use it when necessary.</p>
  
  <p>But lately I've really been starting to re-think my approach to page layout and wondering if starting with usign absolute positioning as a general rule of thumb is a better idea?</p>
  
  <p>Can somebody point out some good articles or resources on this topic, and I'd love to hear everyone's personal feedback as well.</p>