ID syntax problems

[The Red Guy]

I'm wondering what are the differences between having

ul#buttons

and

#buttons ul.

Sometimes I'm required to use the first and sometimes the second. Maybe someone can point out where I missed out on?

[zcorpan]

ul#buttons

Selects any ul element with an id attribute that equals buttons.

#buttons ul

Selects any ul element that is a descendant of any element with an id attribute that equals buttons.

http://penguin.theopalgroup.com/cgi-...electoracle.py