cell padding probs -- is it just me?

[Cait]

Hiya, excuse the tackyness but i just need filler pics and text while i work on the layout.. but..


I'm making http://cait.netdojo.com/jcs and in IE6, in the left hand section there is like a LOT of cell padding, esp on the right side. In Opera, however, there is 0 cell padding.. and it looks fine.

Is my IE just forked up? Does it look okay in IE7??

How should i go about fixing this?

---

also - the picture of the mascot is a transparent .PNG file. In opera, it is transparent just fine. In IE6, it shows up with a purplish background. Does it still show purple in IE7?

Thanks guys ^_~

~Cait

[abduraooft]

Hiya, a lot of issues.. I expect you have enough patience to learn some good techniques in web designing :)
The first line of your document should be the DOCTYPE declaration.
I'd like to suggest http://www.w3.org/QA/Tips/Doctype, and the other related links from this page.
Then Why tables for layout is stupid: (http://www.hotdesign.com/seybold/)