Designing with Web Standards
"Though today's browsers support standards, tens of thousands of professional designers and developers continue to use outdated methods that yoke structure to presentation".
Over a long period of time I was puzzled by a blank expression on the faces of my customer when I was explaining them how exactly I am going to design their site.
Over a long period of time I was puzzled by a blank expression on the faces of my customer when I was explaining them how exactly I am going to design their site.
Surprisingly, I’ve noticed the same blank expressions on faces of some of my fellows’ web designers. It took me a while (I am a bit slow sometimes) to realize that the major stumble was the term “web standards”, followed by a little relive when I start using XHTML term. By that time, people feel much better, just realizing for themselves, that I just probably don’t speak proper English, that’s all, nothing to worry about.
‘Designing with Web Standards’ is not anybody’s typical text book. Still, if you are one of those people who wonder what all the fuss around web standards is about, and, if deep in your heart you want to make the web a better place , then Web Standard Design is quite simply an excellent starting point!
When I picked up this book almost 3 years ago, “web standards” was one of those technical terms that made my head hurt.
HTML coding seemed to be an explored and unchanging territory;
But a few minutes of reading hooked me, and I couldn’t put it down. When I had gotten halfway through the book I was certain that I would never make another site the same way again. My life had changed forever!
Amazing as it now seems, I was inspired by a text book!
Zeldman sure offers a lot of explanations. Nevertheless, we humans tend to require copious explanations, considering a problem from each and every angle until we finally GET it!
And when this miraculous transformation starts to happen, he shows you the first steps of how to go about actually doing it,. He gives you tons of valuable information to start using right away; straight to the point examples which lucidly illustrate the subject. Three things you will know for sure after reading this book: what are web standards, why is it important to comply, and how actually start doing it!
Further, it is absolutely worth mentioning that the book is an entertaining read, with a witty sense of humor; something we too can learn from when trying to get our point across.
