so, you have this

input
{
      width: 100px;
}

it will effect all input elements in some browser, but in my Firefox browser on my Linux it only effects "text" based input elements

why?

it will ignore radio and checkbox input elements

hahaha

I solved it by doing this:

input[type="text"], input[type="radio"], input[type="checkbox"]
{
      width: 100px;
}

crazy code world
crazy standards

when all fails, invent your own technology, and cause more confusion

I agree in that it's a bit sad that everyone can't follow the same standard, but why would you want a radio or checkbox input to be 100px wide?

Styling forms has never been as easy as it should be for some reasons. Browsers want to style forms their way and it can be a challenge to get forms looking the same cross-browser.

Why your first bit of code to style the input didn't work in Firefox, who knows. I guess FF considers input the same as input[type="text"], and only honors the other types if you specifically include them.

Some form elements are NOT affected by CSS property values because they are "windowed objects" and are handled by the underlying operating system NOT the browser rendering engine.

I wonder if any reset scripts would help:

http://meyerweb.com/eric/tools/css/reset/
http://www.cssreset.com/

Never used them before, but maybe they reset these values to be modified more easily.

Nope, they don't help for some elements like <input type="file">

It looks different in every browser, even the width can't be the same and that is so lame.

Originally Posted by miki86

Nope, they don't help for some elements like <input type="file">

It looks different in every browser, even the width can't be the same and that is so lame.

And how many of your visitors are likely to be running several browsers and comparing how one particular button looks like in each one?

Probably none, but that's not the point.
You don't have total control over styling form elements and that can ruin your design.
Here is what i mean:

You don't have total control over styling form elements

Correct.

that can ruin your design

Allow for it when developing the design.

This is why "designers" should ONLY design ... and let developers make it work!


Developers do not get hung up on a layout and waste time piddling about with the trivial aspects of a particular "look".

Developers do not get hung up on a layout and waste time piddling about with the trivial aspects of a particular "look".

Developers also make some truly awful looking sites that are as likely to send people away as keep them on the page. Design is important. Layout is important. All those little details make the page more inviting to read. Both design and development are important parts of building successful websites.

Developers also make some truly awful looking sites that are as likely to send people away as keep them on the page.

I certainly can errmmm They certainly do!

That's why developers should never design.

The two disciplines require different mindsets and skills which are rarely found together in the same human being.

Funny. I agree the disciplines take different mindsets. The question is where's the line between design and development. The two while different also work together. Whichever side you're on if you can learn more about the other I think it will benefit your work and help you work together with the other side.

In this case with the look of the form inputs, I do think we're talking design.