On Fri, 9 Nov 2001, J. J. Young wrote:

> Steve wrote (before the List hiatus):
> 
> >  In order to accomodate as many browsers as possible,
> >I write to 4.0 Transitional without CSS.  I believe in
> >the "any-browser" philosophy, and I believe that using
> >a subset of that particular instruction set will enable 
> >the highest number of browsers to render it "somewhat 
> >as I intend."  ;-)
> 
> Agreed, but that goes in hand with there being a smaller
> subset available if we choose to test with a wider range
> of browsers, and want the page to display "somewhat nearer
> to what we intend". Using CSS makes matters worse :-(

  I used to check with as wide a range of browsers
possible.  Then I decided if my code meets the standard
confirmed by the validator, then if a certain browser
displays it funny, then it's the browser's fault.

  I'm not going to write the same page 6 different ways,
each optimized for different OS/browser/hardware 
combinations... yet this seems to be the tack that
many "any browser" web sites go for.
 
> >v3 browsers are almost non-existent, and that I really 
> >should start using CSS, which would leave the display 
> >for v3 browsers in simple black and grey.
> 
>  .....
> 
> >I continue to use NS 3.04 as my default
> >browser, though I have PINE set up to launch Arachne
> >whenever I click a link from e-mail.
> 
> One of those non-existent v3 browsers? :-)

  Yup... I'm the ONE who shows up on web logs as
still using a v3 browser.  ;-)
 
> >> Then along comes an attack from Ruritanians armed with flowerpots...  
> >
> >  I'm not familiar with the reference.
> 
> You've heard of the penguin that roared, which itself alluded to
> "The Mouse That Roared". There are reviews on Amazon, but this one
> is for the movie:

  Ok... it does sound vaguely familiar now.
 
> If parts of this scenario sounds unhumorously familiar, see:
> http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig2/wallace2.html

  Finally something the Clintons could actually be
useful for!  ;-)

> My mention of flowerpots was to remind us of Arachne's place in the
> scheme of things. Incidentally, Fravia's Searchlores site suggests
> that serials and cracks for the Opera browser are so easily available
> to ensure that Opera gets used by more people than would normally
> buy it (while getting at least some registration payments). Just
> another example of how to participate in the Browser War.

  I downloaded Opera 4.0b2 and used it for about a 
week.  I didn't really care for it.  
http://twovoyagers.com/devel/opera-html3.png
(130K screenshot)
 
> Well, breaking or stretching the rules of human language
> doesn't usually stop the intended message getting across.

  It does for me.  Glaring grammar gaffes totally 
distract me from the intended meaning... moreso in
spoken language than written because I can always
reread the written word.

> >up occasionally, just point them to somewhere like 
> >http://amigaphil.planetinternet.be/bugsEN.html
> 
> or
> http://www.e-envoy.gov.uk/publications/guidelines/webguidelines/websites/index.htm

  Yup, I agree with almost all of it.

> Browser compatibility must be considered at all times. Websites must not be
> designed around single web browsers and must function correctly in those
> most often used by the client group.
> <end quote>
> 
> The last half of the last sentence is the get-out clause :-( 

  Yeah, "most often?"  And exactly who comprises this 
"group?"  They most certainly are wiggle words.

 - Steve


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