> But according to
>   http://validator.w3.org/check?verbose=1&uri=http%3A%2F% 
> 2Fwww.rubywaves.com%2F
> you should avoid /> in HTML 4.01 strict.

are there any browsers that actually interpret /> per the spec? i've  
always just ignored that.

it appears the underlying problem is related to the way some versions  
of firefox calculate the offset dimensions of block elements. the way  
it is laying out the page suggests that it doesn't think it has  
enough room to put the main content and the sidebar side-by-side.  
although ie6, opera, safari, and mac / windows ff2 don't agree.

anyway. i will take this off-line since it has nothing to do with ruby.

thanks again for everyone's help and suggestions.

dan