Re: Validator

At the risk of expounding on unpopular ideas (who me?):

I am an advocate for the contrary position which believes that it is
unnecessary and actually harmful to work outside a standards group in an
effort to affect progress and push the envelope.  If Microsoft, Netscape, or
whoever wants to expand the capabilities of current technology or introduce
new ones, there are usually mechanisms within a standards organization to
propose, develop, and integrate them.  The W3C definitely has these
mechanisms.  To arrogantly not use them is akin to breaking the law.  I know
some of you are probably saying at this point, "Get real!".  Please, just
hear me out.  For example, if you decide one day that driving on the right
side of the road in the United States isn't the best way to drive, you don't
just start driving anyway you damn well please and drive down the left side.
It would be chaotic and dangerous (Keystone Cops images dancing in my head).
If you would like to see the U.S. standard of driving down the road changed,
you can introduce legislation.  Meanwhile, if and when that legislation is
passed and becomes law, *you still obey the current laws*.  Now this example
may be a little extreme, but it is very much the same.  This is what
separates civilization from anarchy.

This is what the W3C is trying to do, take us out of the days of anarchy and
provide us with a more civilized web.  We all cry that it is a freaking pain
in the you know what that all the browsers are different or do their own
thing, but then we don't seem to be willing to put our money where our
mouses (mice ?) are.  The ironic thing is that in the past few years the W3C
is responsible for more innovation and progress than either Microsoft or
Netscape.  You are kidding yourself if you think corporations are worried
about accessibility or interoperability.  They only care if it is going to
affect their bottom line.  The W3C is the organization that is leading
progress on new technologies such as XML, WML, Voice, MathML, scalable
vector graphics, Amaya, Jigsaw and on and on.  I understand that many of
these technologies come from outside the organization, but it is through the
organization that they will become reality and available to all.  The
technology we use cannot be operated in a vacuum.  It is not like lawn mower
technology.  If someone comes up with a completely different and novel way
to built and operate a lawn mower, it is not going to affect the guy next
door still using his Dad's mower from the 1950's.  The technology we use
needs to be coordinated does affect the guy next door and needs to be
coordinated.

Unfortunately, somebody like a Microsoft has enough clout that they don't
have to play by the rules if they do not want to.  If they do not like
something or do not get their way, they usually take their ball and go home.
It has been several years that HTML 4.x has been out and even with their
latest browser, 5.5, they STILL have not implemented the entire standard.
They are still way too occupied with rushing ahead and implementing their
own proprietary toys instead of concentrating on getting HTML 4.x to work
100% first.  I will bet you my house that they NEVER will.  Please don't
think I have it out for M$, I just mention them because they have the
highest profile right now.  Netscape was just as guilty.  I have no idea how
well Opera implements the standards.

I joined this list because I support the philosophy and motives of the W3C
and thought this was the place to talk to others that would feel the same.
After all, this is the HWG which is one of the biggest supporters of the
W3C.  It seems there are many on this list who feel differently which leaves
me wondering why they joined this particular organization?  If the majority
of the membership of the HWG do not stand behind the principles of the W3C
then we are all just wasting our time and the standards are doomed for
failure.

We do have the power within ourselves to exercise discipline and not be
tempted by Pandora's box.  The question then is, do we really care?
Remember, patience is a virtue.

Soapbox="off",
Steve

HTML: hwg-basics mailing list archives, maintained by Webmasters @ IWA