Why use Web standards?
by Julie Harpring
Mizzou Graduate School
So what exactly are Web standards?
Part 1: Content vs. Presentation
Separating structured content (text, essential images) from presentation (fonts, layout, colors, decorative images, etc.)
Part 2: Valid, Semantic Code
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN"
"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<head>
<title>Conforming XHTML 1.0 Transitional Template</title>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
Part 2: Valid, Semantic Code
<body>
<div id=“header”> <h1>The Widget Shop</h1> </div>
<div id=“navigation”><ul><li>Home</li><li>Buy Stuff</li></ul></div>
<div id=“main-content”>
<h1>Buy Stuff!</h1>
<p>Buying stuff sure is great.</p>
<h2>Stuff You Can Buy at the Widget Shop</h2>
<ul><li>Widget A</li><li>Widget B</li><li>Widget C</li></ul>
</div>
</body>
Part 2: Valid, Semantic Code
Validating with the W3C
Part 2: Valid, Semantic Code
Validating with the W3C
Part 2: Valid, Semantic Code
Validating with the W3C
Part 3: Acessible & Works in All Browsers
“Works” doesn't mean “looks the same.”
Aim for visual consistency in modern browsers, and make sure the design degrades well for older ones. Don't forget about:
- Text-only browsers and screen reading software
- PDA browsers
Why Use Web Standards?
- Easier to manage, maintain and redesign
- Faster download time for visitors
- Many uses for the same structured document (printing, traditional Internet viewing, PDA viewing)
- Search engine friendly
- Ready for the future without compromising backwards-compatability
- Accessible
Section 508: It's the Law
- Part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, intended to end discrimination against people with disabilities.
- Activities sponsored or funded by the U.S. government must comply.
Source: “Accessibility and Section 508,” a lecture by Jeffrey Zeldman, http://happycog.com/lectures/access/
Section 508: It's the Law
The law says sites should …
- work in a variety of user agents (browsers and devices)
- provide text equivalents for non-text elements
- be navigable by non-mouse users
The Target Case
- Class action lawsuit against Target for not providing equal access to online services
- Parts of the site were unusable by people who don't use a mouse
- Target’s request for the case to be thrown out has been rejected.
Source: Ian Lloyd, “Target Sighted,” Web Standards Project, http://www.webstandards.org/2006/09/14/target-interim-ruling/
Who is Using Web Standards?
Who is Using Web Standards?
Who is Using Web Standards?
Who is Using Web Standards?
Who is Using Web Standards?
Common hesitations
- But it won't look the same in all browsers.
Common hesitations
- But it won't look the same in all browsers.
- It's too hard to learn and will take too much time.
Common hesitations
- But it won't look the same in all browsers.
- It's too hard to learn and will take too much time.
- Things look fine the way they are.
Steven's Testimonial
A heart-wrenching tale of a man who learned to love … standards!