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Common Standards? Perish the Thought!The Web Standards Project is a well- intentioned attempt to pressure the two major browser makers to harmonize standards across the board, without either having to await W3C standards, almost invariably long, often in vain.According to Glenn Davis, of Web- design firm Project Cool, the cost of developing a cutting-edge site which is viewable by both major browsers can add as much as a 25% premium to the cost of the site. In addition to increasing the cost of Web sites, the lack of common standards is breeding a sense of frustration among developers who face the progressively difficult task of performing workaround upon workaround. "Most of my design ideas are really simple, but executing them consistently across Internet Explorer 3 & 4, as well as Navigator 3 & 4 is anything but," says Jeffrey Zeldman, a New York Web publisher/designer. "I have to engage in laborious workarounds, simply to end up with a very basic design that works." The Web Standards Project is also concerned with future browsers that will run on non-PC devices, such as palmtops and Web phones. "Lack of standards support is going to hurt that development," said Davis. Other members of the Web Standards Project include Martin Diekhoff of the Getty Information Institute, Ann Navarro of Webgeek Communications, Roger Black of Interactive Bureau and John Shiple of Squishy Designs. The WSP site features calls-to- action, a "Mission Statement", and a somewhat sparse calendar. We applaud the Group's efforts. Whether those efforts will be rewarded with a consistent, coherent, joint policy on standards from both Microsoft and Netscape will be viewed with interest from these quarters. August 13, 1998 Web '98Web professionals will probably want to know about Web Design and Development '98 - thankfully shortened to Web '98 - a five-day conference sponsored by Miller Freeman.The five days are broken down across two axes: Days 1-2 comprise full-day tutorials on web design, Java, Javascript, XML and others; In addition the conference clusters around six subject tracks: Strategy; There's an impressive list of workshop leaders and speakers, including the eminently sensible Jakob Nielsen (probably worth the price of admission alone). The conference takes place in Boston September 22-26 at the Hynes Convention Center. There's a full description of all the conference elements and a registration form at the conference's site. Hope to see you there! August 11, 1998 What's that Tag?HTML is in a constant state of flux, with new browser-specific tags being devised with each reiteration of the two major browsers.In general, it's a hassle keeping up with them all. No more. The latest version of Ron Woodall's excellent HTML Compendium has just been posted (dated February 1, 1998). This resource lists pretty much every tag ever devised and provides indicators of which versions of which browsers support it. The site itself is well-designed, offering the user a variety of mirrors depending on their geographical location, and, more importantly, a choice of framed or non-framed versions. Bookmark this site and return regularly for updates! August 10, 1998 Never Mind the Product - Think of the BrandThe current football fest known as "France '98 - Coupe du Monde" has succeeded in closing down most of the rest of the world for the duration. Cabs are unavailable in London when England plays, and all Tunisian bureaucrats are given the day off when the national team is on. Indeed, the productivity of our East Coast office has taken a dive, due to its being 100% European.The game of football - or "soccer" as it is known in the US - is a fluid, graceful blend of consummate teamwork combined with flashes of individual brilliance (except for Brazil...). It's played over two halves of 45 minutes each, with no natural beaks. Which presents problems for TV. For a sporting event to attract sponsorship in the US, there needs to be the potential to advertise. No such luck with global football. The solution has involved far-sightedness and imagination on the part of ABC, ESPN, sponsors and ad agencies. In the top right-hand corner of the screen during play is a box with the time, the score - and the logo of the sponsor of that segment of the match. Anyone with more than a passing interest in the Coupe will know the sponsors (British Airways, Mastercard, Nike, Budweiser, US Army (!) ) almost by heart (we may have missed one...). Even the ads at half time are brand oriented. Products take a back seat in this situation. What's the point? "Top of mind" is what we former ad types call it. And in this case, it works subtly and pervasively. Strangely enough, the Web is great for branding, less so for product sales, at least at the consumer level. Do yourself a favor and take in a few matches (if you haven't done so already). Check out the strange but effective insidiousness of the branding campaign to which you are subjected. Now apply those lessons to your website... BTW - we favor Brazil, Holland and Nigeria....
795 Mammoth Road "Less is always more."
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