Posted by Andy Dingley on 06/17/05 17:28

On Fri, 17 Jun 2005 12:17:28 +1000, Mark Parnell
<webmaster@clarkecomputers.com.au> wrote:

>> The <u> is so
>> much simpler than the css text-decoration for random uses on a page.
>
>It doesn't carry any semantic meaning though (at least, not in any
>context I'm aware of),

Underline does carry a semantic meaning on the web -- established common
usage means that underline strongly implies a link. As any attempt to
use <u> or CSS as a decorative underline conflicts with this, it's just
a bad idea to use underlines at all (outside links).

There's also a long established principle in typography (read Sumner
Stone's "The Design Of Books" - any web designer will benefit from this)
that underline is "Emphasis by typewriters who can't do any better
method". Underline is basically ugly and if you have better techniques,
use them.

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