Knowledge of HTML
Most web Authors agree that the biggest challenge in web design is dealing
with the variety of browsers and platforms, each with its own support
and implementation of HTML and scripting elements. Features and capabilities
improve with each new major browser release, but that doesn't mean the
older versions just go away. The general public tends not to keep up
with the latest and the greatest ...many are content with what they
are givien , and many others may be using the computers of a company
or institution that chooses a broswer for them.
So the question is, how do you develop web pages that are aesthetically
and technically intriguing without alienating those in your audience
with older broswers? Pages that are designed for a variety of browsers
need not be boring or incompatable. Although some compromises may have
to be made it is quite possible to maintain a good design and remain
compatible with most browers. You must ask yourself: How many different
browser versions do I need to cater to?
This first tutorial is based on statistics that can be found on the
web in a variety of places. There are no absolute rules that must be
followed. You, as the designer have the freedom to answer all of these
questions as you see fit, whether the end product is for you own personal
enjoyment or for a paying client. Always remember that the key to designing
a good website is knowing your audience and the browser technologies
they will be using to view your pages.
Browsers
The broswer market is dominated by two major browsers: Netscape Navigator
and Microsoft Internet explorer. These two major browsers make up the
bulk (about 90%) of the current browsers in use. Other broswers such
as the Opera browser make up the rest of the browsers in use. All browsers
offer their own unique blend of capabilities and shortcomings. For the
purposes of this tutorial these attributes need not be discussed.
This much needs to be said: As of the writing of this tututorial Microsoft's
Internet Explorer is the most versatile and feature packed of browsers
in its latest release. This is true although Microsoft continues to
create browsers which dont necessarily conform with the rules and regulations
dictated by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). This means that the
latest version of Internet Explorer will probably be able to handle
any code you present it with no matter the quality of the code, this
is not written in stone however, you must always be aware of the quality
of your code; spelling and syntax errors etc. This also means that Netscape
Navigator and other less popular browsers will require you to do more
research to remain consistant accross all browsers.
You can find more information and statistics about which browsers are
being used the most in these places:
www.browserwatch.internet.com
www.whichbrowser.com
www.browsercaps.com
Some designers beleive that the web should be available to everyone.
These designers develop web sites for the lowest common standard or
HTML 2.0. They beleive that newer technologies such as Java and Flash
take control out of the hands of the end user. To them control over
how a page looks should remain in the hands of the end user and not
the designer and hence a lowest common denominator designer may choose
to not include or use any of the above mentioned technologies in their
designs.
Other designers beleive that users should always download and maintain
the latest version of browser software on their computers. These designers
choose to push the internet envelope and include many new technologies
in their designs. These designers beleive that visual control should
remain in the hands of the designer and not the end user and therefore
choose to include various modern technologies into their designs.
Many designers choose to design somewhere in the middle of these two
groups. They implement technologies which are fairly safe or give the
user the option to choose a version of a website which is compatible
with older browsers or another site which has all the fancy new feature
and is compatible with newer browsers. These sites with multiple versions
take much more work to design and maintain as they simply have more
webpages to look after.
A good way to approach a design is to choose a portion of your audience
which is most important. Design your web sites primarily to please those
people and if time or money or commitment allows implement features
that will allow an even braoder audience to enjoy your web pages.
Any design however, must work on some browser or platform so you must
check and recheck your designs to very their compatibility with its
inteded browser. Here are some automated verification resources that
can help:
validator.w3.org
www.websitegarage.com
www.netmechanic.com
www2.imagiware.com/RxHTML
Continue on to Part 2 of this tutorial=>
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