external CSS file too large?

hi

i just wanted to get some opinions on this...

running a page through www.weboptimization.com's test brought the following message

CSS_SIZE - Caution. The total size of your external CSS is 4399 bytes, which is above 1160 bytes and less than 8K. For external files, try to keep them less than 1160 bytes to fit within one higher-speed TCP-IP packet (or an approximate multiple thereof). Consider optimizing your CSS and eliminating features to reduce this to a more reasonable size.

How important is this and should I consider splitting the CSS file into, say, 4 smaller files or would that be as bad (or worse even)?

Thanks for your thoughts,

jim

Ignore it. Try to cascade your CSS code.

thanks PHP-Newb

when you say i should cascade my CSS - what do you mean?

cheers,

jim

Well, for example, if you had this in your CSS file:

a {text-decoration:none;font-size:19pt;color:blue;}

a:hover {text-decoration:none;font-size:19pt;color:red;}



You would be better to do this:

a,a:hover {text-decoration:none;font-size:19pt;}

a {color:blue;}

a:hover {color:red;}


Try and re-use as much as you can, it saves on loading time and is just a good habit to get in to.

oh... ok thanks

jim