Faux Columns and Float Issues

[ryan.od]

OK, I understand the concept behind faux columns, but I have an issue that is driving me nuts. If you careate a two column layout with the left column floated left, where do you apply the background image? I ask because if one of the columns is floated, the browser sees it as empty and thus the background image will only extend down as much as the other column. This is the issue I am trying to work around with the Faux Column approach!

I have tried adding a footer, clearing it, and putting it in the same division as the two columns. This allows the background image to extend down to the footer (you can apply a background color to the footer to hide the background image).

I have read the ALA article, but it only mentions this scenario as if everyone should know how to handle it. There is no help. Am I missing something obvious?

My second question is this - which layout choice is favored? Floated column layout or fixed width, absolutely positioned column layout? Does it depend on the situation?

Thanks.

RyanOD