Both text1 and text2 (with their shadows) are absolutely positioned by css the same way, but they get separated by the relatively positioned text (in red) which is located (code-wise) between the text1 and text2 containers.

Text-align: right is set for the cell. Opera aligns the relatively positioned text to the right and leaves the absolutely positioned text alone.

However, in addition to aligning the relatively positioned text to the right, Gecko and Trident align the absolutely positioned text to the right too.

theserverside.com uses this method to create the shadowed look and positioning of the text. (They hide the relatively positioned text so you don't see it. It's used for spacing between the absolutely positioned .container spans)

Is Opera following the specs in regards to the text-align: right?

Are relative, inline elements supposed to separate absolutely positioned ones (if they fall between the elements code-wise)?