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W3C/CSS Compliance
What the heck is W3C/CSS compliance?
Quite simply, the most important thing that's ever happened to the Internet. Until recently, Web browsers (those software apps you use to browse the Net) have pretty much followed their own rules on how to present a Web page on your computer. Microsoft's Internet Explorer did it one way, Netscape's Navigator another, and now there are oodles of new kids on the block, all wanting to serve as your surfing tool.*
I'm not just the printer you hire to publish your Website; I'm here to guide you through this process, help you make good decisions, answer your questions, and together we'll produce a great Website that both of us are proud of!
Yuk, what a mess!
Web pages that were written for one browser often look like they've been through a meat grinder when viewed in another, or break so completely you can't even read the page. And what used to work great in your old browser, suddenly went kaput when you got that new computer sporting a new browser. Has this happened to you? You can imagine the nightmare this has become for Web designers who just want their work to appear similarly across browser platforms.
W3C to the rescue
Fed up with this increasing fragmentation of the Web, a bunch of top-flight designers founded a coalition called the World Wide Consortium—kind of a Web United Nations—often abbreviated as W3C. Its aim is to convince the Web community of standards—rules that make Web pages behave in all browsers.
Are we there yet?
Nope, but we're gaining rapid momentum, and it's only a matter of time before all Web pages will have to comply with the new standards, including the use of cascading style sheets which help separate content from formatting styles. Despite the long-term good these changes will bring, the short term is causing groans among Web designers who now have to go back to school to learn the new methods.
I'm happy to say I've tossed my hat in with the future—my newer Websites are W3C/CSS compliant wherever today's current browser standards allow. What does that mean for you? Your Web pages will be up to date and ready as newer browser standards evolve.
* OK, what's my personal browser preference? Check out my recent weblog update of Web news and recommendations which I periodically post for all my clients.