@FangFeb 10.2006 — #Transparent images as formatting elements are only used by those who are too lazy to learn any html, css or accessibility on the www.
In answer to your PM:
If this is a question from your webdesign course then look for another one.
No self-respecting webdesigner would use images for formatting. <table width="100%" border="1" summary="example of bad design"> <tr><td><img src="transImage.gif" height="10" width="100">bla</td></tr> <tr><td><img src="transImage.gif" height="100" width="1">bla</td></tr> <tr><td><img src="transImage.gif" height="10" width="50%">bla</td></tr> </table>