Re: [WSG] Equal height divs

2006-08-15 Thread Matthew Pennell

On 8/16/06, TuteC <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Again learning from your experience. I am trying to implement
http://www.projectseven.com/tutorials/css/pvii_columns/ to a design
where I need both (navigation and content) have the same height.


You can also do this using Javascript:

http://www.thewatchmakerproject.com/journal/308/equal-height-boxes-with-javascript


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Re: [WSG] Equal height divs

2006-08-15 Thread Paul Novitski

At 09:41 PM 8/15/2006, TuteC wrote:

Again learning from your experience. I am trying to implement
http://www.projectseven.com/tutorials/css/pvii_columns/ to a design
where I need both (navigation and content) have the same height.

I try to do it because each div has a background color, and I want
them to reach the footer no matter their content.



Hi Tute,

There's a lot of material on this on the web -- try googling "css 
equal height columns" and "css faux columns" for example.


I also highly recommend the CSS-D wiki at 
http://css-discuss.incutio.com/ and in particular the two-column layout page:

http://css-discuss.incutio.com/?page=TwoColumnLayouts

If you're only dealing with two columns, consider this: you may not 
actually need the two column divs to be the same height, you may only 
need them to look like they're the same height.  If both columns are 
inside a wrapper, the wrapper will stretch to be the height of the 
longer of the two.  You can apply the background to one side of the 
wrapper and it will lie behind one of the columns, full height, 
regardless of which is the longer column.


That simple solution does work for some graphic treatments but gets 
tricky with others, as when you want a border around one of the 
columns and not merely a block of background color or image.


Regards,
Paul 




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Re: [WSG] Equal height divs

2006-08-15 Thread TuteC

I´ll have a time to read Google´s FAUX columns, till I see how you
made it work. :)
Thank you!
Eugenio.

On 8/16/06, David Moyle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


I believe what you after is called faux columns, I did this on a
website and your more then welcome to jump in and see how I did it.
A search for faux columns should get you sorted.
http://www.tinkahill.com/pdt/voila

Dave

 Original Message 
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>I am trying to implement 
http://www.projectseven.com/tutorials/css/pvii_columns/ to a design
>where I need both (navigation and content) have the same height.
>
>I try to do it because each div has a background color, and I want
>them to reach the footer no matter their content.
>
>What do you think about it? How do you do these things?



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RE: [WSG] Equal height divs

2006-08-15 Thread David Moyle
Hi

I believe what you after is called faux columns, I did this on a
website and your more then welcome to jump in and see how I did it.
A search for faux columns should get you sorted.
http://www.tinkahill.com/pdt/voila

Dave
 Original Message 
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org
Subject: [WSG] Equal height divs
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2006 01:41:13 -0300

>Again learning from your experience. I am trying to implement
>http://www.projectseven.com/tutorials/css/pvii_columns/ to a design
>where I need both (navigation and content) have the same height.
>
>I try to do it because each div has a background color, and I want
>them to reach the footer no matter their content.
>
>What do you think about it? How do you do these things?
>
>Thanks a lot, in advance;
>Eugenio.
>
>
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>
> See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm
> for some hints on posting to the list & getting help
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[WSG] Equal height divs

2006-08-15 Thread TuteC

Again learning from your experience. I am trying to implement
http://www.projectseven.com/tutorials/css/pvii_columns/ to a design
where I need both (navigation and content) have the same height.

I try to do it because each div has a background color, and I want
them to reach the footer no matter their content.

What do you think about it? How do you do these things?

Thanks a lot, in advance;
Eugenio.


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Re: [WSG] Active link bug

2006-08-15 Thread Mark Sheppard

John S. Britsios wrote:
There seems to be a minor bug with the active link highlighting on our 
web site: http://www.webnauts.net.


If I click on "blog", "directory" or "forum", and then use the "back" 
button in my browser to go back to "Home",

it still highlights the link that I clicked on to get there.


It's not a bug. It's highlighting the link that has focus.

Hit the back button, then start tabbing... you'll be tabbing from that 
point, as it has keyboard focus. Should be the same for all of your 
links. It's just more noticeable when the focus pseudo-class is styled.


It's the same on other pages as well... on any site. Click a link then 
hit the back button, and you'll see the little dotted line around the 
link (Firefox for PC anyway - IE if you were tabbing through the links).


Mark



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Re: [WSG] Active link bug

2006-08-15 Thread Al Sparber
There seems to be a minor bug with the active link highlighting on 
our web site: http://www.webnauts.net.


If I click on "blog", "directory" or "forum", and then use the 
"back" button in my browser to go back to "Home",

it still highlights the link that I clicked on to get there.

Can someone help me out? I really cannot see whats wrong there.



That's the way the active pseudoclass works in IE Windows. It will 
retain focus until you move focus elsewhere.


--
Al Sparber
PVII
http://www.projectseven.com

"Designing with CSS is sometimes like barreling down a crumbling 
mountain road at 90 miles per hour secure in the knowledge that 
repairs are scheduled for next Tuesday".







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Re: [WSG] Active link bug

2006-08-15 Thread Germ
It wouldnt be the a: visted preferences by any chance would it???On 8/16/06, John S. Britsios <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:There seems to be a minor bug with the active link highlighting on our
web site: http://www.webnauts.net.If I click on "blog", "directory" or "forum", and then use the "back"button in my browser to go back to "Home",
it still highlights the link that I clicked on to get there.Can someone help me out? I really cannot see whats wrong there.Thanks a lot for your kind support in advance,John--John S. Britsios
Web Architect & Marketing ConsultantWebnauts Net (Main Office)Koblenzer Str. 37AD-33613 BielefeldWebnauts Net (U.S. Office)5 Ivanhoe DriveUrbana IL 61802Email: 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]Web address: http://www.webnauts.net**The discussion list for  
http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help
**-- JP2 Designshttp://www.jp2designs.com

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[WSG] Active link bug

2006-08-15 Thread John S. Britsios
There seems to be a minor bug with the active link highlighting on our 
web site: http://www.webnauts.net.


If I click on "blog", "directory" or "forum", and then use the "back" 
button in my browser to go back to "Home",

it still highlights the link that I clicked on to get there.

Can someone help me out? I really cannot see whats wrong there.

Thanks a lot for your kind support in advance,

John

--
John S. Britsios
Web Architect & Marketing Consultant

Webnauts Net (Main Office)
Koblenzer Str. 37A
D-33613 Bielefeld

Webnauts Net (U.S. Office)
5 Ivanhoe Drive
Urbana IL 61802

Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web address: http://www.webnauts.net



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RE: [WSG] Long nav list: Access keys: Best practice? Also, tag...

2006-08-15 Thread Peter Firminger
Just for a laugh, I tried to validate the W3 page I mentioned and it failed
dramatically (look at the source)... Guess they are 'human' too.

http://validator.w3.org/check?uri=http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/html3/listheader.
html

P




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Re: [WSG] Long nav list: Access keys: Best practice? Also, tag...

2006-08-15 Thread Micky Hulse

Hi Peter! Thanks for your quick response, I greatly appreciate the help.

Peter Firminger wrote:

I have seen it mentioned in relation to HTML 3 but it isn't apparent in the
HTML 2, 3.2, 4.01 specs, even as a deprecated element.


Ahhh, interesting. Seems like it would be a helpful tag.


http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/html3/listheader.html
I would advise that it not being in the spec, it not be used. If ever in
doubt, check the W3 documentation of the markup language you're using or
planning to use. 
http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/


Great.  :D

I was not sure where to look for these types of q's...

Hehe, my noobiness is shining through.

Anyway, thanks so much for you informative response. Thanks for taking 
the time to help.  ;)


Cheers,
Micky


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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Michael Yeaney

 If you need to use the target feature, use an apropriate doctype for that .
 To legate systems, sometimes you must use a transitional or even a
loose doctype
 The feature (for some :) is still there


I guess this is my point - what about frames makes them 'unsuitable'
(???) for XHTML  If this trend continues, the only tags left will
be DIV and SPANwho needs tables???  As for using a loose /
transitional doctype, I'd rather not - that sort of defeats the
purpose...

Very frustrating

Mike


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RE: [WSG] Long nav list: Access keys: Best practice? Also, tag...

2006-08-15 Thread Peter Firminger
> To what parent tags can the  tag be applied? I googled, 
> but did not find anything useful.

I have seen it mentioned in relation to HTML 3 but it isn't apparent in the
HTML 2, 3.2, 4.01 specs, even as a deprecated element.

http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/html3/listheader.html

I would advise that it not being in the spec, it not be used. If ever in
doubt, check the W3 documentation of the markup language you're using or
planning to use. 

http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/

P



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RE: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Focas, Grant
Tony Crockford wrote: 
you're using an inaccessible frameset when the same purely visual 
effect can be done in a more accessible way using CSS.

if you want strict and a framed effect do it with CSS instead of 
frames and then all users can access all your content.

instead of asking for target in strict (an inaccessible frameset 
attribute) and asking us to justify why you can't have it, why don't 
you justify the use of frames, when all they are is a visual effect 
that can be achieved with CSS.

My response:
I have to use frames at work.
The reason is that we produce learning resources which can be used on
their own or put into courses which need some navigation for users to
get around.
Framesets cater to this perfectly.
The left frame is used to show the navigation of the resources which
appear in the right frame.
We have users testing this (including using JAWS and Window Eyes screen
readers) and none have ever said it is inaccessible.
For us the benefit of using frames is that we do not have to produce
multiple versions of the same resource.

Downsides include 
* inability to bookmark a certain page
* a frameset bug in IE when using XHTML transitional (see
http://www.noscope.com/journal/2004/02/ie-horizontal-scrollbar-bug )
* inability to set frame borders with CSS


Grant
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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread DJ Spark

If you need to use the target feature, use an apropriate doctype for that .
To legate systems, sometimes you must use a transitional or even a
loose doctype
The feature (for some :) is still there

spark

On 8/15/06, Michael Yeaney <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Ok...fair enoughbut consider this (very OT):  The C/C++
programming languages have had the ability for many years to cause
havoc on a machine when one of it's most powerful features (pointers)
is mis-used.  In response to this, there have been many libraries
developed to wrap this language feature in 'safe' clothing.  But, did
they remove pointers from the language??? Absolutely notit's there
to use, and also to mis-use (at your own risk).

I feel the same way about things such as the (loved??) IFRAME/FRAME
tags.  These are horrible to use on sites where SEO and accessibility
are of top concern.  However, when developing the web versions of
desktop applications (i.e., not necessary or desired to allow linking
to every page, and not SEOnor will they hardly ever be - these are
typically bought by businesses and deployed internally to solve a
business process need), these 'useless' tags turn into gold mines of
features without writing the reams of JS necessary for a modern AJAX
experience.  Again, they are just another (useful) tool in our toolbox
- not correct for every situation, but very useful from time to time.

Hmmmso what is the NPV of the original $.02??

Mike


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[WSG] Long nav list: Access keys: Best practice? Also, tag...

2006-08-15 Thread Micky Hulse

Howdy folks,

Long story short, I am setting-up a menu for a newspaper website and 
they have a ka-zilion links in a left-sidebar  navigation list...


How should I go about setting-up access keys? Should I be concerned 
about access keys for all links? Should I only set-up access keys for 
the very main navigation elements?


... also ...

To what parent tags can the  tag be applied? I googled, but did 
not find anything useful.



TIA,
Cheers,
Micky


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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Michael Yeaney

Ok...fair enoughbut consider this (very OT):  The C/C++
programming languages have had the ability for many years to cause
havoc on a machine when one of it's most powerful features (pointers)
is mis-used.  In response to this, there have been many libraries
developed to wrap this language feature in 'safe' clothing.  But, did
they remove pointers from the language??? Absolutely notit's there
to use, and also to mis-use (at your own risk).

I feel the same way about things such as the (loved??) IFRAME/FRAME
tags.  These are horrible to use on sites where SEO and accessibility
are of top concern.  However, when developing the web versions of
desktop applications (i.e., not necessary or desired to allow linking
to every page, and not SEOnor will they hardly ever be - these are
typically bought by businesses and deployed internally to solve a
business process need), these 'useless' tags turn into gold mines of
features without writing the reams of JS necessary for a modern AJAX
experience.  Again, they are just another (useful) tool in our toolbox
- not correct for every situation, but very useful from time to time.

Hmmmso what is the NPV of the original $.02??

Mike


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RE: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Samuel Richardson
 
So far I've only seen two arguments to keep using the target="_blank"
attribute.

1. Our users are idiots and can't drive there browsers.

Web Standards are about catering for the future; it's safe to assume that as
more people get onto the Internet then there ability for using the browser
will improve. You also have to consider how this attribute will work on say
a cell phone, PDA or my favourite mentioned before, direct optic nerve shunt
:D. We are not suggesting you remove pop-up windows altogether, just that
you use the correct method for opening them, JavaScript.


2. Other applications like Word use pop-ups so I can too.

HTML is not an application, if it was then the target="_blank" attribute
would come with additional parameters to control the size, placement etc of
the window. JavaScript (which is used for building applications on the web)
comes with all of these properties so is the perfect choice for opening new
windows.

I can't believe this argument has progressed so far. XHTML is purely for the
presentation of content, that's it. By removing target="_blank" you remove
an outdated method for opening new windows (that it was never designed to do
I might add!), but you are not removing popup windows all together.



-Original Message-
From: listdad@webstandardsgroup.org [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Behalf Of Kevin Futter
Sent: Wednesday, 16 August 2006 8:50 AM
To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org
Subject: Re: [WSG] target=_blank

On 15/8/06 5:15 PM, "Tim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> On 15/08/2006, at 4:55 PM, Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media] wrote:
> 
>> You cannot expect users to know to Shift-click a link to open the T&C
>> in a new window
> 
> Why not?  This is one huge assumption that your users are silly and
> cannot shift click or right click.
> Let them open a new window themselves. I do not assume my users are so
> stupid.

You know, I'm as computer-savvy as anybody, but I've only just learned that
you can shift-click to open new windows by reading this thread (mainly
because I use tabs in preference to new windows). Forgive me if that makes
me "stupid". I think perhaps you shouldn't assume *anything* about your
users, period. You probably shouldn't equate a particular skill- or
knowledge-set with intelligence either.

-- 
Kevin Futter
Webmaster, St. Bernard's College
http://www.sbc.melb.catholic.edu.au/



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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Kevin Futter
On 15/8/06 5:30 PM, "Christian Heilmann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>> [the classic terms and conditions]
>> 
>>> But can anybody give me a reasonable example of solving this problem without
>>> target=_blank?
>> 
>> 1) Make the Terms and conditions a mandatory step before reaching the
>> form - this is also legaly the most secure. As they are annoying show
>> them upfront as a must rather than sneakily in a link that might make
>> the user lose her data to boot.
>> 2) Embed the terms and conditions in the same document and link them
>> with an anchor - that also allows you to use any CSS magic to make
>> them not take up too much screenspace (overflow) - if your argument is
>> that they need to be maintained separately, use SSI to pull them in
>> server-side.
>> 3) Store the data already entered in a session via Ajax and retain it
>> when the user comes back
>> 4) Include the data in an IFRAME or via Ajax setting the focus to it
>> when the user hits the T&C link (not that accessible, but does work)
>> 5) Call the link next to the terms and conditions checkbox I agree
>> with the _Terms and Conditions_ (shift-click to open in a new window)
>> and remove the parenthesis when JS is available and you can apply a
>> handler.
> 
> ah (6) Make the terms and conditions link a terms and conditions
> button that sends the data and stores it in the session or POST
> arguments and retains them when you choose the form view again.

No.6 sounds sensible to me. I like No.2 as well.

-- 
Kevin Futter
Webmaster, St. Bernard's College
http://www.sbc.melb.catholic.edu.au/



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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Kevin Futter
On 15/8/06 5:15 PM, "Tim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> On 15/08/2006, at 4:55 PM, Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media] wrote:
> 
>> You cannot expect users to know to Shift-click a link to open the T&C
>> in a new window
> 
> Why not?  This is one huge assumption that your users are silly and
> cannot shift click or right click.
> Let them open a new window themselves. I do not assume my users are so
> stupid.

You know, I'm as computer-savvy as anybody, but I've only just learned that
you can shift-click to open new windows by reading this thread (mainly
because I use tabs in preference to new windows). Forgive me if that makes
me "stupid". I think perhaps you shouldn't assume *anything* about your
users, period. You probably shouldn't equate a particular skill- or
knowledge-set with intelligence either.

-- 
Kevin Futter
Webmaster, St. Bernard's College
http://www.sbc.melb.catholic.edu.au/



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RE: [WSG] Spammer gone

2006-08-15 Thread Peter Firminger
Sorry folks, unfortunately, this all happened in early morning our time,
otherwise it would have been stopped earlier.

P 



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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Mark Harris

Michael Yeaney wrote:

...I will admit that they have been wrongly used in the past,
but is that any reason to get rid of them 



If the user base no longer trusts the method, to the extent that pop-up 
blockers are marketed or given freely away, because of the misuse, does 
it make sense to continue using the method, rather than finding a new 
way of achieving your aim that respects your users' rights and 
sensibilities?


Just my $0.02 +GST

Mark Harris


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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Michael Yeaney

Just an observation:  While I'll agree that in certain situations
frames are very inaccessible, their behavior cannot always be replaced
with CSS.   Why use frames, you ask???  Consider a web application
(not a content site).  My menu bar is fixed, maintains state, and I
don't want it to reload every time the content frame reloads (thus
saving bandwidth).  Now, AJAX aside, CSS alone will not give you this.
And as a writer of web applications (not sites), it frustrates me to
no end that the W3C is abandoning useful features like these (and
others)...I will admit that they have been wrongly used in the past,
but is that any reason to get rid of them 

Just my $.02.

Mike


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[WSG] Spammer gone

2006-08-15 Thread russ - maxdesign
WSG members,

Apologies for "nitinaggarwal12".The user has been unsubscribed with extreme
prejudice.

If you experience further issues, please email [EMAIL PROTECTED] rather than
the list.

Thanks for your patience!
Russ




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Re: [Virus entfernt] [WSG] the file

2006-08-15 Thread Arne Kriedemann

I always get a virus message, when you email to the group!

The last one was

Email-Worm.Win32.Nyxem.e

Check your computer for viruses and worms with an actual scanner!

Greets

Arne

nitinaggarwal12 schrieb:

hi
i send the details
bye


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Dieser Anhang war mit dem Virus "Email-Worm.Win32.Nyxem.e" infiziert.
Der WEB.DE E-Mail Virenschutz hat den Anhang gelöscht, der Inhalt der E-Mail 
sowie eventuelle weitere Anhänge wurden nicht verändert.



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[WSG] OT: Block virus sender

2006-08-15 Thread Conyers, Dwayne, Mr [C]

I sent a note to the administrator to try and have that user blocked. 

In the mean time, it might help to have your mail client delete any messages
sent via this list that have an attachment.  That works for me.


--
Dwacon(com)


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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Gunlaug Sørtun

Designer wrote:

I'm getting fed up with this. You still haven't told me WHY it makes 
perfect sense! Why, that is, the W3C have decided that using a target

is undesirable, ultimately.


I have no idea why W3C decide anything, but they have made some
decisions and written the standards accordingly.

I may suggest:

1: Target has been misused to such a degree that some browser-makers
have added defenses against it. Most browser-makers are members of W3C.

2: Target isn't working too well on all of today's (and tomorrow's)
software and devices. Plenty of confusion around on that subject.

If you are using a frameset, it's highly likely that you'll want to 
make use of the target facility.  Yes, you can do it using 
transitional, but the very name 'transitional' implies that it's OK 
for now, but it won't be when you 'do it properly'. When you 'do it 
properly' you can't use target, even though you can use a frameset.


A frameset _is_ a 'transitional' solution, so it _is_ only OK for now.
Same with 'Transitional', so Frames and Transitional suits each others
like hand and glove. There are no 'Strict Frames'.


What is it about targetting that is so bad?


I never called targeting bad, although I "kill" all targeting at my end
(as a user). Targeting is a left-over from yesterday, so I guess it
depends on where you want your designs to go is what matters when you
decide whether to use targeting or not. And then you should use the
proper doctype/standard. That's what those standards are there for.

There will come other standards, and some may even be implemented across
browser-land - one day. Maybe you'll get a suitable, and working,
'target' back in one of them.

regards
Georg
--
http://www.gunlaug.no


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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Tony Crockford

Designer wrote:

XHTML 1.0 Strict - Use this when you want really clean structural 
mark-up, free of any markup associated with layout. Use this together 
with W3C's Cascading Style Sheet language(CSS) to get the font, color, 
and layout effects you want.




Yes, that's exactly what I'm doing. So your point is?


but you're not are you?

you're using an inaccessible frameset when the same purely visual 
effect can be done in a more accessible way using CSS.


if you want strict and a framed effect do it with CSS instead of 
frames and then all users can access all your content.


instead of asking for target in strict (an inaccessible frameset 
attribute) and asking us to justify why you can't have it, why don't 
you justify the use of frames, when all they are is a visual effect 
that can be achieved with CSS.


;o)




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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Designer

Tony Crockford wrote:

Designer wrote:

No matter which way you look at it, it doesn't make sense.
what doesn't make sense is why you would use a strict doctype for 
pages that are included in a frameset?
I'm just banging my head against the wall here!  The reason I'd use a 
strict doctype in a frameset is the same reason I'd use one anywhere 
else.  Why one earth anyone should think that a standards approach can 
be ignored because it's a frameset is just incredible.




if you have to use a doctype for the framed pages, use a transitional 
one and all will be valid and good...


Yes, I've known that for a long time now.


the whole point of the XHTML strict DTD is:

XHTML 1.0 Strict - Use this when you want really clean structural 
mark-up, free of any markup associated with layout. Use this together 
with W3C's Cascading Style Sheet language(CSS) to get the font, color, 
and layout effects you want.




Yes, that's exactly what I'm doing. So your point is?

--
Best Regards,

Bob McClelland

Cornwall (UK)
www.gwelanmor-internet.co.uk




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[WSG] Stop

2006-08-15 Thread Tom Livingston
The viruses.


-- 
Tom Livingston | Senior Multimedia Artist | Media Logic |
ph: 518.456.3015x231 | fx: 518.456.4279 | mlinc.com



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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Designer

Gunlaug Sørtun wrote:

Designer wrote:
The 'problem' is that you can use a strict xhtml frameset AND xhtml 
files and that's OK with the W3C recommendations - so why on earth 
have they done away with one of frames main uses/advantages, i.e., 
targetting one or more of the frames.  No matter which way you look 
at it, it doesn't make sense.


Sorry, but it makes perfect sense to keep Strict out of Frames. W3C
haven't done away with anything since you still can use Transitional.
They are just telling you (quite clearly) that you can't use a
"transitional solution": Frames and 'target', in combination with Strict.
You are given a choice between standards: Transitional /or/ Strict. No
need to mess them up and make them one and the same.

regards
Georg
I'm getting fed up with this. You still haven't told me WHY it makes 
perfect sense! 

Why, that is, the W3C have decided that using a target is undesirable, 
ultimately.


If you are using a frameset, it's highly likely that you'll want to make 
use of the target facility.  Yes, you can do it using transitional, but 
the very name 'transitional' implies that it's OK for now, but it won't 
be when you 'do it properly'. When you 'do it properly' you can't use 
target, even though you can use a frameset.


What is it about targetting that is so bad?

This is my last mail on this subject (no cheering please :-) ) : I'm 
going away now, to quietly bang my head against the wall.


Roll on xframes is all I can say . . .

--
Best Regards,

Bob McClelland

Cornwall (UK)
www.gwelanmor-internet.co.uk




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[WSG] OT: Block virus sender

2006-08-15 Thread Kim Kruse

Hi,

Would it be possible to block [EMAIL PROTECTED] that keeps 
posting virus to the list?


Kim




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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread TuteC

That´s really understandable, but transitional is meant to be a
'transition' before all web sites turn into strict web standards. So
it is also understandable for developers to start digging in how to
translate our sites to those, let´s say, definitive, or totally
usable, standards.
Am I wrong?

Best regards;
Eugenio.

On 8/15/06, Tony Crockford <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

It's mad, is what it is.

target_blank is allowed under transitional standards.

if you adopt strict standards then adhere to them.

forcing a new window on a mobile phone or the forthcoming UA that
integrates with your optic nerve and projects the web on a virtual
screen is not sensible.

arguing about target_blank has been done, a decision reached and
standards set.

IIRC the original argument started when someone wanted to force a new
window *and* have code valid to xhtml strict standards.

I firmly believe that new windows should be the users choice and there
are no business cases for new windows that can't be done a different
way. I think they *should* be done differently if you want widest use
of your business application on the web.

However, if you're creating a desktop application for a closed usage
on an intranet?  well why not have multiple windows spawning? - that's
what we expect windowed applications to do, but code to a transitional
standard, that allows for it.

I'm a pragmatic coder though and if the time and effort or commercial
budget are an issue and the client can't be persuaded that new windows
are a bad idea then I just change to a less strict standard and code
to that.

let's not argue for a change to the standards because we don't like
them, just choose one that allows the behaviour you want and
*understand* and *educate* clients on the why and wherefore...

;o)



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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread TuteC

I totally agree.


I forgot about pop-up blockers. I thought it was not that black and
white but this thing may be annoying. Don´t know how many uses these
blockers, and of course it is easy to disconnect them, but anyhow,
rather than doing it more efficciently it is a slower way of
presenting information. Not a new clean window, but a popup as banks
do.

Regards;
Eugenio.

On 8/15/06, Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media]
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Sometimes even web standards can be wrong. I do not think this discussion is
so much about personal preference as it is about the question whether this
particular web standard is correct or not. People who decide on Web
Standards can make mistakes. That's why standards change all the time. A few
years ago it was standard to have all links to other websites open in new
windows. Now it moves against this behaviour. There is room for discussion,
don't you think?



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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Gunlaug Sørtun

Designer wrote:
The 'problem' is that you can use a strict xhtml frameset AND xhtml 
files and that's OK with the W3C recommendations - so why on earth 
have they done away with one of frames main uses/advantages, i.e., 
targetting one or more of the frames.  No matter which way you look 
at it, it doesn't make sense.


Sorry, but it makes perfect sense to keep Strict out of Frames. W3C
haven't done away with anything since you still can use Transitional.
They are just telling you (quite clearly) that you can't use a
"transitional solution": Frames and 'target', in combination with Strict.
You are given a choice between standards: Transitional /or/ Strict. No
need to mess them up and make them one and the same.

regards
Georg
--
http://www.gunlaug.no


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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Tony Crockford

Designer wrote:

No matter which way you look at it, it doesn't make sense.
what doesn't make sense is why you would use a strict doctype for 
pages that are included in a frameset?


if you have to use a doctype for the framed pages, use a transitional 
one and all will be valid and good...


the whole point of the XHTML strict DTD is:

XHTML 1.0 Strict - Use this when you want really clean structural 
mark-up, free of any markup associated with layout. Use this together 
with W3C's Cascading Style Sheet language(CSS) to get the font, color, 
and layout effects you want.


http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/

;o)



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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Designer

Tony Crockford wrote:

but I'm struggling to understand the problem.

the framed pages have *no* doctype - what would make them "strict"? 
and why, when they are part of a frameset would you try and validate 
them against a strict DTD?


Who said the framed pages have no doctype?  They do if you want to 
conform to standards and validate your markup!  I use this:


"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-frameset.dtd";>

http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml";>

and the other files in the set are XHTML1.0 strict.

The 'problem' is that you can use a strict xhtml frameset AND xhtml 
files and that's OK with the W3C recommendations - so why on earth have 
they done away with one of frames main uses/advantages, i.e., targetting 
one or more of the frames.  No matter which way you look at it, it 
doesn't make sense.


--
Best Regards,

Bob McClelland

Cornwall (UK)
www.gwelanmor-internet.co.uk




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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Tony Crockford

Ian Pouncey wrote:

Tony Crockford wrote:
 > the framed pages have *no* doctype - what would make them "strict"?
 > and why, when they are part of a frameset would you try and validate
 > them against a strict DTD?

Why do the framed pages not have a doctype Tony? I can't see anywhere in 
the article you reference where this is stated.


I read this:

"The starting point for any framed set of Web pages is the  
tag, which usually uses the src attribute to point to a particular 
HTML document.




The  tag defines the content of a single framed page. The 
example above assumes that you want to have a file called 
mainpage.html displayed within the frame. The only required attribute 
for the  tag is the src attribute, which obviously tells the 
browser what file to display inside the frame. So far so good.


You can also control the appearance of scrollbars inside the frame 
with the scrolling attribute:




The default value for this attribute is auto, which lets the browser 
decide whether or not scrollbars are to be displayed. The other two 
values are yes and no, which are pretty self-explanatory.


There is no closing  tag.

You should not include any  tag information in the mainpage.html 
file, since the file represents a larger document. Everything on this 
page should be included within the  tags."

(from: http://www.sitepoint.com/print/frames-frame-usage-explained)

and understood it to mean that framed content would just be 
content



in any case I think we're all agreed that trying to include a Strict 
doctyped page inside a frameset is pointless.


why anyone would want to mix up frames and strict DTD's I still don't 
understand.


;o)


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Re: [WSG] Out of Office AutoReply: digest for wsg@webstandardsgroup.org

2006-08-15 Thread Christian Heilmann

I will be out of the office Wednesday 16 Aug.

Issues regarding complaints or food safety can be forwarded either directly to 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] OR by calling 1300 552 406.

For urgent issues, please contact Greg Irwin, Executive Director on 02-9741 
4744.

Other issues I'll attend to on my return

Regards
Craig Morony
M: 0417 410 909


Let's all call Greg and tell him Craig send us.


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[WSG] Out of Office AutoReply: digest for wsg@webstandardsgroup.org

2006-08-15 Thread Craig Morony

I will be out of the office Wednesday 16 Aug.

Issues regarding complaints or food safety can be forwarded either directly to 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] OR by calling 1300 552 406.

For urgent issues, please contact Greg Irwin, Executive Director on 02-9741 
4744.  

Other issues I'll attend to on my return

Regards
Craig Morony
M: 0417 410 909 
  
 

 
 
From Monday 5th April 2004, the NSW Food Authority is responsible for food 
safety across the entire food industry, from primary production to 
point-of-sale. You can contact the NSW Food Authority on our new contact centre 
telephone number 1300 552 406 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] watch for our new Web 
site at www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au or you can reach us at our office; 6 
Avenues of Americas, Newington on telephone 02 9741 4777, fax 02 9741 4888 or 
postal address PO Box 6682 Silverwater NSW 1811. 
  
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
  
This e-mail message, including any attached files, is confidential and intended 
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. NSW 
Food Authority prohibits the right to publish, copy, distribute or disclose any 
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than the intended recipient. If you have received this e-mail in error please 
notify the sender and delete it from your system. No employee or agent is 
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where the sender expressly, and with authority, states them to be the views of 
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[WSG] Out of Office AutoReply: digest for wsg@webstandardsgroup.org

2006-08-15 Thread Meziane, Tracey
Title: Out of Office AutoReply: digest for wsg@webstandardsgroup.org






Thank you for your email.

I am currently on a training course and will be out of the office until Tuesday 22 August 2006.

If you need any assistance with web publishing requests please email [EMAIL PROTECTED]

For personal matters you can contact me on my mobile.

Your email has not been forwarded.

Cheers
Tracey Meziane




If you have received this transmission in error please notify us immediately by return e-mail and delete all copies. 
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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Ian Pouncey
Tony Crockford wrote:
> the framed pages have *no* doctype - what would make them "strict"? 
> and why, when they are part of a frameset would you try and validate 
> them against a strict DTD?

Why do the framed pages not have a doctype Tony? I can't see anywhere in the article you reference where this is stated.

If you look at
http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/present/frames.html#h-16.3 you will see
that the example 'framed' document (init_dynamic.html) is given an HTML
4.01 Transitional doctype.

Whether it is an oversight in the spec or not it appears that target is
only valid for a transitional doctype even when used in a frameset.
This makes sense as there is nothing in the framed document that
explicitly states that it should only be viewed as part of a frameset.

I don't think this thread is going anywhere any more. Most, if not all,
the people on this list are probably never going to use another
frameset. If anyone does the answer is to use a transitional doctype
for documents other than the frameset itself.Ian

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[WSG] Out of Office AutoReply: digest for wsg@webstandardsgroup.org

2006-08-15 Thread Susan.Martin
I am out of the office until Monday 21st August


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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Tony Crockford

Matthew Pennell wrote:


The upshot is you can't use Strict when using framesets.


well yes, I thought that was obvious?

but I'm struggling to understand the problem.

the framed pages have *no* doctype - what would make them "strict"? 
and why, when they are part of a frameset would you try and validate 
them against a strict DTD?






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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Matthew Pennell

On 8/15/06, Tony Crockford <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

AIUI the frameset page has the doctype (using the frameset DTD) and
the framed pages have no doctype at all and are included in the
frameset by using 

so why can't you use target_ in the framed pages?


I think the point is that, while the frameset itself will have the
frameset DTD, the framed pages do not - so if they are Strict, you
can't use target to make links inside those pages open inside other
frames within the same frameset.

The upshot is you can't use Strict when using framesets.


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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Tony Crockford

Designer wrote:

Tony Crockford wrote:

Eh?

if you use the frameset DTD then target is valid.

you can't use frames in a valid way without the frameset DTD, so what 
are you talking about?


time for me to drop out of this thread in sheer frustration.

;o)

Hi Tony,

AFAIK, the files that are used to make up the frameset (ie, the ones 
that appear in the browser) are 'ordinary' files which will not accept 
the frameset DTD. That is reserved for the frameset definition file, not 
it's components. It is in the component files that one would use the 
target attribute, and in these files 'target' is a no-no.


Or have I been missing something?  This is important to clear up and has 
nothing to do with the target discussion per se. I have used frames on 
one of my sites and I want to get this right!


okay, colour me confused.

AIUI the frameset page has the doctype (using the frameset DTD) and 
the framed pages have no doctype at all and are included in the 
frameset by using 


so why can't you use target_ in the framed pages?

http://www.sitepoint.com/print/frames-frame-usage-explained
is a good article...



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Re: [WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Jens Brueckmann

It is in the component files that one would use the
target attribute, and in these files 'target' is a no-no.

Or have I been missing something?  This is important to clear up and has
nothing to do with the target discussion per se. I have used frames on
one of my sites and I want to get this right!


If you are set on using the TARGET attribute you will get it right by
using a transitional DOCTYPE.
Why would you want to choose a strict DOCTYPE when your document does
not conform to the strict rules explained in the corresponding (X)HTML
recommendation?

Cheers,

jens

--
Jens Brueckmann
http://www.yalf.de


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[WSG] correct markup for frames? : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Designer

Tony Crockford wrote:

Eh?

if you use the frameset DTD then target is valid.

you can't use frames in a valid way without the frameset DTD, so what 
are you talking about?


time for me to drop out of this thread in sheer frustration.

;o)

Hi Tony,

AFAIK, the files that are used to make up the frameset (ie, the ones 
that appear in the browser) are 'ordinary' files which will not accept 
the frameset DTD. That is reserved for the frameset definition file, not 
it's components. It is in the component files that one would use the 
target attribute, and in these files 'target' is a no-no.


Or have I been missing something?  This is important to clear up and has 
nothing to do with the target discussion per se. I have used frames on 
one of my sites and I want to get this right!


--
Best Regards,

Bob McClelland

Cornwall (UK)
www.gwelanmor-internet.co.uk




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Re: Global centralised Javascript libraries (was: [WSG] target=_blank)

2006-08-15 Thread Christian Heilmann

I don't think it's such a good idea. For one thing you're relying on the
network connections being good enough to the repository that holds the
JS files to make the site respond quickly. If the JS repository doesn't
respond, or is slow, that could be your entire web application screwed.
In the case of Yahoo, who I guess have some pretty spectacular bandwidth
resources available, this isn't a huge worry.


The idea was to use Akamai, which means it will be delivered from a
box nearest to you.


However the thing that really bothers me with that idea is the fact that
suddenly Yahoo (or whoever) would have access to loads more information
about what's happening with my site/application. The big internet
companies already know more about us than many people are happy with,
why give them your web user stats on a plate as well?


How so? All you pull is a file. Seriously, if people want to know what
is going on, they have already. Your ISP, your phone company... Don't
really think there is privacy, not after 9/11.


The bottom line is that any code that is used on a website - whether
(X)HTML, CSS or Javascript - should be optimised to make sure it's as
streamlined as possible. Users on dialup won't get as frustrated, and
even broadband users will appreciate it when the site loads in the blink
of an eye.
> We were thinking of doing that with the YUI.

Christian, I take it that you gave up on that idea?


Actually it is being discussed. Dojo has a packaging system and is
planning on going the same route. Of course it wouldn't be mandatory,
you can always download the lot, change it, pack it and use it off
your server. That is why it is BSD licensed.

If you have any detailed concerns, email me off-list and I can forward
and include them in the discussion.


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Global centralised Javascript libraries (was: [WSG] target=_blank)

2006-08-15 Thread Chris Taylor
I don't think it's such a good idea. For one thing you're relying on the
network connections being good enough to the repository that holds the
JS files to make the site respond quickly. If the JS repository doesn't
respond, or is slow, that could be your entire web application screwed.
In the case of Yahoo, who I guess have some pretty spectacular bandwidth
resources available, this isn't a huge worry.

However the thing that really bothers me with that idea is the fact that
suddenly Yahoo (or whoever) would have access to loads more information
about what's happening with my site/application. The big internet
companies already know more about us than many people are happy with,
why give them your web user stats on a plate as well?

The bottom line is that any code that is used on a website - whether
(X)HTML, CSS or Javascript - should be optimised to make sure it's as
streamlined as possible. Users on dialup won't get as frustrated, and
even broadband users will appreciate it when the site loads in the blink
of an eye.

> We were thinking of doing that with the YUI.

Christian, I take it that you gave up on that idea?

Chris


-Original Message-
From: listdad@webstandardsgroup.org
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ross Bruniges
Sent: 15 August 2006 08:38
To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org
Subject: Re: [WSG] target=_blank

> You touched a good argument for another discussion though. People do 
> tend to rely on massive libraries though. The solution would be to 
> centralise the libraries on one server and ask people to use these 
> URLs instead, then they'd be cached on the first page they are used 
> and subsequently cached. We were thinking of doing that with the YUI.

I think that would be an AWESOME idea Christain! I do the same with my
core CSS files were I work and can now change site wide colour palettes
in seconds on a very "global" basis - for YUI the term global would
actually be properly global!

I am sure there are practical reasons why this may not work but from my
point of view I would really be for that!



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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Rick Faaberg
On 8/15/06 3:34 AM "Bruce" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> sent this out:

> I'm waiting to see if target=_blank reaches 100 postslol
> I wore out my delete button
> 
> Bruce Prochnau
> 
> bkdesign

Abolutely HOT thread indeed.

Are you keeping count?

Rick



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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Bruce

I'm waiting to see if target=_blank reaches 100 postslol
I wore out my delete button

Bruce Prochnau

bkdesign

- Original Message - 
From: "Kat" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 6:29 AM
Subject: Re: [WSG] target=_blank



Focas, Grant wrote:


In general though, I find the popups=evil argument a bit flawed. Take as
an example a page which has a list of 25 cars for sale.




YES LETS DO! Lets take carsguide.com.au as an example, though admittedly 
they have more than 25 cars for sale listed.


So I load up a car page and search for cars. There is a list of 25 (or 
so) cars that have fit my criteria on the first page and at least a few 
more pages with a continuation of the listing.


As I run through the first page, I'll see a car I want and middle click 
it to get more information. As this page is still loading in it's own 
tab in the background, I will continue to run through the list and 
middle click each car that I think is interesting.


At the end of the list on the first page, I will click on the link to go 
to the second page of cars that meet my criteria.


While this new page loads, I turn to the other tabs I have been loading 
in the background. With the crazy javascript pop-up crap, absolutely 
nothing appears in those windows.


*ABSOLUTELY NOTHING -- as in white screen of death*

This goes against my natural way of surfing. It means I have to close 
quite a few empty pages, and click the back button on the tab with the 
list, and hope it re-loads properly. Sometimes, I have to re-start my 
search.


This is entirely frustrating. Guess how often I return to those sites?

Its built by people expecting users who are stuck in MIE 5.0-6.0 that 
doesn't have tabs. With MIE 7b2 on the way, with a tabbed-browsing 
environment, more and more users will follow this sort of path.


Kat

Most pop-ups really are evil. As far as I am aware, most screen-readers 
still have difficulty dealing with pop-ups, though others on this list 
would know more about that than I.




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Re: [WSG] target='anything' : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Tony Crockford

Designer wrote:

Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media] wrote:
Sometimes even web standards can be wrong. I do not think this 
discussion is
so much about personal preference as it is about the question whether 
this

particular web standard is correct or not. People who decide on Web
Standards can make mistakes. That's why standards change all the time. 
A few

years ago it was standard to have all links to other websites open in new
windows. Now it moves against this behaviour. There is room for 
discussion,

don't you think?

I agree entirely.

Furthermore, it's not only target=_blank, it's target= anything!  You 
can still produce a valid frameset by using the frameset DTD, but you 
'cannot' target any of the frames if you want/need to use strict markup 
(html or xhtml) without resorting to javascript.  


Eh?

if you use the frameset DTD then target is valid.

you can't use frames in a valid way without the frameset DTD, so what 
are you talking about?


time for me to drop out of this thread in sheer frustration.

;o)


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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Kat

Focas, Grant wrote:


In general though, I find the popups=evil argument a bit flawed. Take as
an example a page which has a list of 25 cars for sale.




YES LETS DO! Lets take carsguide.com.au as an example, though admittedly 
they have more than 25 cars for sale listed.


So I load up a car page and search for cars. There is a list of 25 (or 
so) cars that have fit my criteria on the first page and at least a few 
more pages with a continuation of the listing.


As I run through the first page, I'll see a car I want and middle click 
it to get more information. As this page is still loading in it's own 
tab in the background, I will continue to run through the list and 
middle click each car that I think is interesting.


At the end of the list on the first page, I will click on the link to go 
to the second page of cars that meet my criteria.


While this new page loads, I turn to the other tabs I have been loading 
in the background. With the crazy javascript pop-up crap, absolutely 
nothing appears in those windows.


*ABSOLUTELY NOTHING -- as in white screen of death*

This goes against my natural way of surfing. It means I have to close 
quite a few empty pages, and click the back button on the tab with the 
list, and hope it re-loads properly. Sometimes, I have to re-start my 
search.


This is entirely frustrating. Guess how often I return to those sites?

Its built by people expecting users who are stuck in MIE 5.0-6.0 that 
doesn't have tabs. With MIE 7b2 on the way, with a tabbed-browsing 
environment, more and more users will follow this sort of path.


Kat

Most pop-ups really are evil. As far as I am aware, most screen-readers 
still have difficulty dealing with pop-ups, though others on this list 
would know more about that than I.




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RE: [WSG] target=enough_already

2006-08-15 Thread Peter Firminger
Are we done with this now or do I have to stop it before it descends to "I
know you are, but what am I?"

Feel free to take it off list to squabble... Please!

P



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Re: [WSG] target='anything' : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Rick Faaberg
On 8/15/06 3:11 AM "Designer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> sent this
out:

> So the message is that it's still OK to use frames in certain
> circumstances, but under no circumstances is it OK to target them
> (strict).   No-one has ever explained the logic of this to me in any
> convincing way. . .
> 
> -- 
> Best Regards,
> 
> Bob McClelland

Badda-boom!

Rick



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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Tim
Adreaus, please listen mate you are really getting into a fantasy that 
is getting unreal!
I am on my G3 OSX Mac now, Macs do not do that at all, you can hold the 
mouse down and then you get a choice to open in a new tab or window.
Some of your arguments are personal opinion, other like this Mac reason 
to flaunt standards is not just weak, it is wrong.

You equate webpages with applications, they are not the same thing.

I am part of the Mac community and I state that your new window 
assumption about Mac is incorrect.


On 15/08/2006, at 5:03 PM, Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media] wrote:


-Original Message-
From: listdad@webstandardsgroup.org
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Susie
Gardner-Brown
Sent: Tuesday, 15 August 2006 1:05 PM
To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org
Subject: Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2.  On a Mac, if you open a new Word document when you've got
one open already, it offsets it so you can see both are
there! Which is also what happens on a Mac when you go to a
new browser window ...

The obvious answer is that everyone should switch to Macs!!




Funny that you mention the Mac behaviour. Mac does exactly what all of 
us
are agreeing to be terrible behaviour of some websites: it constantly 
opens
new windows all over the place. So how comes this behaviour is 
accepted by
the Mac community who are known to openly support their interface, yet 
it is

shunned in web development standards?




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Heretic Press
http://www.hereticpress.com
Email [EMAIL PROTECTED]



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[WSG] target='anything' : was [target=_blank]

2006-08-15 Thread Designer

Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media] wrote:

Sometimes even web standards can be wrong. I do not think this discussion is
so much about personal preference as it is about the question whether this
particular web standard is correct or not. People who decide on Web
Standards can make mistakes. That's why standards change all the time. A few
years ago it was standard to have all links to other websites open in new
windows. Now it moves against this behaviour. There is room for discussion,
don't you think?

I agree entirely.

Furthermore, it's not only target=_blank, it's target= anything!  You 
can still produce a valid frameset by using the frameset DTD, but you 
'cannot' target any of the frames if you want/need to use strict markup 
(html or xhtml) without resorting to javascript.  As I remember, the 
ability to target a frame in a frameset was (in 199x) the major 
advantage/reason for using frames in the first place! (And it still is, 
as far as I'm concerned).


So the message is that it's still OK to use frames in certain 
circumstances, but under no circumstances is it OK to target them 
(strict).   No-one has ever explained the logic of this to me in any 
convincing way. . .


--
Best Regards,

Bob McClelland

Cornwall (UK)
www.gwelanmor-internet.co.uk





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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Tim
Well said Tony I was aghast as well about so many emails about avoiding 
the standards

Call it a personal preference but it is not about standards.

This attidude that "I" feel is wasting a lot of time on this group.
If you feel otherwise than using standards join a net hacking group.

It is not my personal judgment, but my committmernt to W3C standards
and consideration for my users that I regard new windows as verboten
so does W3C Strict validation probably for very good reasons.



On 15/08/2006, at 5:43 PM, Tony Crockford wrote:


Rick Faaberg wrote:
It's not a question of users' stupidity! It's a matter of if *I* feel 
that a

new window is the best way to present the information!


I'm aghast at such an attitude on a web *standards* list.

in fact the whole thread contains arguments against using the 
standards and they all seem to be about personal preference.


if you want to create web pages based on personal preference, why are 
you a member of the web standards group?


 "The Web Standards Group is for web designers & developers who are 
interested in web standards (HTML, XHTML, XML, CSS, XSLT etc.) and 
best practices (accessible sites using valid and semantically correct 
code). We aim to:


* Provide web developers and designers with a forum to discuss 
issues and share knowledge (via our discussion list and regular 
meetings)

* Provide web standards information and assistance to developers
* Promote "web standards" within the development community"


perhaps we should all examine our attitudes?

;o)


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Email [EMAIL PROTECTED]



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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Kat




There are very good reasons to open new windows, not just when using frames, 
online banking being one of them.


There seems to be some misinformation floating about this list.

I have accounts in both Commonwealth and Bankwest, who both seem to 
think that popups are a fantastic idea. Bankwest are more evil though 
because when you logout they resize your window which shits me to tears.


Anyway, the point I am making is that I am not forced to use their 
crappy pop-up, as it is a webpage that can be loaded directly into your 
browser, which I do. Yes, it is easily done.


Point one: There is no real way to enforce a pop-up for your user if 
they don't want one.


The other issue I have is that people are under a false impression that 
a pop-up is more secure. A pop-up adds no more extra security to that 
which is already present. Do not be fooled!!


Point two: No extra security.

I honestly think the banking pop-ups are a waste of time and effort and 
are a pain in the *rse.


Kat



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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Tim
Well said Tony I was aghast as well about so many emails about avoiding 
the standards

Call it a personal preference but it is not about standards.

This attidude that "I" feel is wasting a lot of time on this group.
If you feel otherwise than using standards join a net hacking group.

It is not my personal judgment, but my committmernt to W3C standards
and consideration for my users that I regard new windows as verboten
so does W3C Strict validation probably for very good reasons.

Please no more personal preference to avoid standards.


On 15/08/2006, at 5:43 PM, Tony Crockford wrote:


Rick Faaberg wrote:
It's not a question of users' stupidity! It's a matter of if *I* feel 
that a

new window is the best way to present the information!


I'm aghast at such an attitude on a web *standards* list.

in fact the whole thread contains arguments against using the 
standards and they all seem to be about personal preference.


if you want to create web pages based on personal preference, why are 
you a member of the web standards group?


 "The Web Standards Group is for web designers & developers who are 
interested in web standards (HTML, XHTML, XML, CSS, XSLT etc.) and 
best practices (accessible sites using valid and semantically correct 
code). We aim to:


* Provide web developers and designers with a forum to discuss 
issues and share knowledge (via our discussion list and regular 
meetings)

* Provide web standards information and assistance to developers
* Promote "web standards" within the development community"


perhaps we should all examine our attitudes?

;o)


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Heretic Press
http://www.hereticpress.com
Email [EMAIL PROTECTED]



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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Tim

No there is no more room for discussion here
You have had enough advice and not taken any notice of it.
Please desist from your hobby horse and consider the thousands who do 
comply?

As Tony said Strict or Transitional are your current choices.
Please consider you have had a good run please stop.

On 15/08/2006, at 5:51 PM, Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media] wrote:


-Original Message-
From: listdad@webstandardsgroup.org
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tony Crockford
Sent: Tuesday, 15 August 2006 5:43 PM
To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org
Subject: Re: [WSG] target=_blank

Rick Faaberg wrote:

It's not a question of users' stupidity! It's a matter of

if *I* feel that a

new window is the best way to present the information!


I'm aghast at such an attitude on a web *standards* list.

in fact the whole thread contains arguments against using the
standards and they all seem to be about personal preference.

if you want to create web pages based on personal preference, why are
you a member of the web standards group?


Sometimes even web standards can be wrong. I do not think this 
discussion is
so much about personal preference as it is about the question whether 
this

particular web standard is correct or not. People who decide on Web
Standards can make mistakes. That's why standards change all the time. 
A few
years ago it was standard to have all links to other websites open in 
new
windows. Now it moves against this behaviour. There is room for 
discussion,

don't you think?




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http://www.hereticpress.com
Email [EMAIL PROTECTED]



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[WSG] Web Standards

2006-08-15 Thread Anthony Green
 
>A few years ago it was standard to have all links to other websites
open in new windows.

I would say that was just 'a' common practice rather than any sort of
standard.

The concept of 'Web Standards' and the role of WaSP is about
standardising in some sort of quantifiable way, just as in the UK we
have the British Kite Mark to benchmark working practices in the
manufacturing industry.

Anthony Green









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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Tony Crockford

Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media] wrote:

Sometimes even web standards can be wrong. I do not think this discussion is
so much about personal preference as it is about the question whether this
particular web standard is correct or not. People who decide on Web
Standards can make mistakes. That's why standards change all the time. A few
years ago it was standard to have all links to other websites open in new
windows. Now it moves against this behaviour. There is room for discussion,
don't you think?


It's mad, is what it is.

target_blank is allowed under transitional standards.

if you adopt strict standards then adhere to them.

forcing a new window on a mobile phone or the forthcoming UA that 
integrates with your optic nerve and projects the web on a virtual 
screen is not sensible.


arguing about target_blank has been done, a decision reached and 
standards set.


IIRC the original argument started when someone wanted to force a new 
window *and* have code valid to xhtml strict standards.


I firmly believe that new windows should be the users choice and there 
are no business cases for new windows that can't be done a different 
way. I think they *should* be done differently if you want widest use 
of your business application on the web.


However, if you're creating a desktop application for a closed usage 
on an intranet?  well why not have multiple windows spawning? - that's 
what we expect windowed applications to do, but code to a transitional 
standard, that allows for it.


I'm a pragmatic coder though and if the time and effort or commercial 
budget are an issue and the client can't be persuaded that new windows 
are a bad idea then I just change to a less strict standard and code 
to that.


let's not argue for a change to the standards because we don't like 
them, just choose one that allows the behaviour you want and 
*understand* and *educate* clients on the why and wherefore...


;o)


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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Designer

Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media] wrote:

Now that websites are moving more towards application style, they should
really behave like applications as we are accustomed to. And a fact is that
applications require pop-up windows at certain stages. Mostly when
information is provided that falls outside of a linear process. The typical
example: a user fills out a form and wants to read the Terms and Conditions.
Or a user works in MS Word and wants to read the Help File. 


Never do those applications provide the user with the option of opening the
supplementary information in the same window. For a good reason: the users
would get taken out of the linear process they are in and potentially loose
whatever they were working on. Just imagine you would loose your 200-page
thesis in MS Word just because you didn't specifically request the HELP
information to open in a new window.

So if websites are becoming applications, why shouldn't they behave in the
same fashion that we are accustomed to from other applications? 


In Word, if I decide to go to a new document, I expect it to open in the
main window. Ergo: On the web, if the user decides to go to a different
website, it should open in the main window.

In Word, if I decide to access information that help me work with the
current document (e.g. help file, save dialog, document preferences) I
expect them to open in a pop-up window. Why should it be any different on
the web?

Making "target" an invalid attribute for links is plain stupid. It forces
developers to revert to some javascript ways of opening a new window which
potentially makes websites extremely user-unfriendly for people with
javascript disabled. 


Developers should be educated in the correct use of the target attribute,
eliminating it just creates a whole new problem.


At last, some fresh air, & unblinkered thinking!  About 18 months ago, I 
vented my feelings about this:


http://www.marscovista.fsnet.co.uk/scribbles/windows.html

It won't hurt to say it again, as nothing has changed! :-)

--
Best Regards,

Bob McClelland

Cornwall (UK)
www.gwelanmor-internet.co.uk




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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Christian Heilmann

> 1) Make the Terms and conditions a mandatory step before reaching the
> form - this is also legaly the most secure. As they are annoying show
> them upfront as a must rather than sneakily in a link that might make
> the user lose her data to boot.

This solution is quite user-unfriendly. In most cases people do not want to
read the T&C as they are standard legal talk that hardly anybody understands
anyway. They have to be accessible, people have to agree to them, but we all
know that 90% of the people do not want to read it.


Yes, but at least it is honest. If you HAVE to comply with terms and
conditions, then tell the user about that and don't hide it. It works
for ANY software installation or sign up process for webmails for
example.


> 2) Embed the terms and conditions in the same document and link them
> with an anchor - that also allows you to use any CSS magic to make
> them not take up too much screenspace (overflow) - if your argument is
> that they need to be maintained separately, use SSI to pull them in
> server-side.

Pretty much the same user-unfriendlyness: you present the user with a very
long page of content that they do not understand. T&C are intimidating to
the users and people do not want to read them.


How so? The idea is to have the Terms and Conditions below the form.
If I want to read them, all I need is to click the link and you even
stay on the same page. No surprises or dangers of losing data. You
could even do a fancy lightbox effect.


> 5) Call the link next to the terms and conditions checkbox I agree
> with the _Terms and Conditions_ (shift-click to open in a new window)
> and remove the parenthesis when JS is available and you can apply a
> handler.

This assumes that users know what they want. Unfortunately that is not
always the case. Many users might not understand the importance of opening
this page in a separate window. They click on the link without pressing
Shift and then realise that they just lost all their data.


There is fallbacks for that, see next point. A counterargument for
that is that people without popup blockers are so conditioned not to
consider data in any popup worth while that they close it without
seeing it. I encountered both when conducting user testing. Have you?


> ah (6) Make the terms and conditions link a terms and conditions
> button that sends the data and stores it in the session or POST
> arguments and retains them when you choose the form view again.

Users do not know that their data was just stored in a POST argument.


They don't need to know, it just happens.


Firstly, most users will get a shock, assuming they just lost all their
data. Then they will press the Back button and be presented with the
shocking "Refresh your browser" message that most people do not understand.


They don't get a shock when there is a big heading explaining that
they can go back to the form. Sorry, bad IA and UI is not the fault of
technology, it is yours.


I am sorry, but in the long run the popup window is the best solution for
T&C. The reason for this is that users expect this behaviour when requesting
information while in the middle of a linear process. Experience with other
applications (be it Word, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, whatever) taught us that
this is how computers behave.


Did it? I learnt a lot by doing real user testing rather than relying
on my assumptions or comparing my product with something different.
The same analogy would make dropdown navigation on the top the best
web site or web application navigation. What it forgets to take into
account is that your application already resides in another
application that does follow all these rules.


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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Christian Heilmann

Sometimes even web standards can be wrong.


That is why they are not laws. Anything on the w3c site is a
recommendation or guideline. The implementation of it and the
consensus that it is a best practice makes it a standard.


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RE: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media]
> -Original Message-
> From: listdad@webstandardsgroup.org 
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tony Crockford
> Sent: Tuesday, 15 August 2006 5:43 PM
> To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org
> Subject: Re: [WSG] target=_blank
> 
> Rick Faaberg wrote:
> > It's not a question of users' stupidity! It's a matter of 
> if *I* feel that a
> > new window is the best way to present the information!
> 
> I'm aghast at such an attitude on a web *standards* list.
> 
> in fact the whole thread contains arguments against using the 
> standards and they all seem to be about personal preference.
> 
> if you want to create web pages based on personal preference, why are 
> you a member of the web standards group?

Sometimes even web standards can be wrong. I do not think this discussion is
so much about personal preference as it is about the question whether this
particular web standard is correct or not. People who decide on Web
Standards can make mistakes. That's why standards change all the time. A few
years ago it was standard to have all links to other websites open in new
windows. Now it moves against this behaviour. There is room for discussion,
don't you think?




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RE: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media]
> > On 8/15/06 12:15 AM "Tim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> sent 
> this out:
> >
> >> Let them open a new window themselves. I do not assume my 
> users are so
> >> stupid.
> >
> > It's not a question of users' stupidity! It's a matter of 
> if *I* feel 
> > that a
> > new window is the best way to present the information!
> >
> > Sigh...
> >
> > Rick
> >
> -Original Message-
> From: listdad@webstandardsgroup.org 
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tim
> Sent: Tuesday, 15 August 2006 5:37 PM
> To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org
> Subject: Re: [WSG] target=_blank
> 
> What you "feel" is irrelevant to your user's experience
> You are making a huge assumption, committed to a position you could 
> reconsider.
> Change your feelings, fall out of love with this position it is 
> demeaning to many users.
> 
> I hate sites that open new windows.
> I feel that you are wrong.

I do not think that personal opinions should have anything to do with how we
create websites. Some people like a website blue, others red. Whether you
hate sites that open new windows is irrelevant. What is important is to make
a website as user-friendly as possible. 

Now you could say a website is not user-friendly because it opens a new
window on your desktop. In most cases I agree with you. However, there are
cases in which opening a page in a new window is extremely important to the
effectiveness of the users. If a user cannot successfully complete a task
because a link just deleted everything they typed into a form: that is
terrible and should never happen! If you are unhappy because a new browser
window just opened, that is an annoyance, but no more than that. 




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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Mark Harris

Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media] wrote:


Funny that you mention the Mac behaviour. Mac does exactly what all of us
are agreeing to be terrible behaviour of some websites: it constantly opens
new windows all over the place. So how comes this behaviour is accepted by
the Mac community who are known to openly support their interface, yet it is
shunned in web development standards?



We-ell, Windows does it too, you know. And a Linux GUI is liable to open 
new windows as well, depending on your configuration.


But in those circumstances, it's a known behaviour pattern and you 
actively invite a new window as an informed user.


The issue on the web, IMHO, stems from the misuse of pop-ups for 
advertising and porn, especially the verdammt on_close spawuning of new 
windows. As an experiment once I ran through a cycle of popups to see 
how many I would get from one source. I stopped with 29 open windows due 
to resource constraints on the PC (it was only a pentium, after all).


So, in order to ensure users don't get snared in a mass spawning, 
collective wisdom has decreed that new windows are bad.


As with most things in life, I don't think it's that black and white. 
There are times when a new window might be useful. I, myself, have been 
known to right-click a new window into being when I want to keep 
something separate. The KEY thing here (and pardon me, Rick Faarberg, 
but I don't think you're getting it) is that it is MY choice to fire off 
a new window. It's not up to the developer's judgment - it's up to the 
USER's judgment.


Christian came up with a bunch of ways to achieve a business need 
without opening a new window - we need to think more creatively about 
the workflow we're creating so we don't put users in bad positions.


cheers

Mark Harris


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RE: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media]
> -Original Message-
> From: listdad@webstandardsgroup.org 
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Christian Heilmann
> Sent: Tuesday, 15 August 2006 5:23 PM
> To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org
> Subject: Re: [WSG] target=_blank
> 
> [the classic terms and conditions]
> 
> > But can anybody give me a reasonable example of solving 
> this problem without
> > target=_blank?
> 
> 1) Make the Terms and conditions a mandatory step before reaching the
> form - this is also legaly the most secure. As they are annoying show
> them upfront as a must rather than sneakily in a link that might make
> the user lose her data to boot.

This solution is quite user-unfriendly. In most cases people do not want to
read the T&C as they are standard legal talk that hardly anybody understands
anyway. They have to be accessible, people have to agree to them, but we all
know that 90% of the people do not want to read it.

> 2) Embed the terms and conditions in the same document and link them
> with an anchor - that also allows you to use any CSS magic to make
> them not take up too much screenspace (overflow) - if your argument is
> that they need to be maintained separately, use SSI to pull them in
> server-side.

Pretty much the same user-unfriendlyness: you present the user with a very
long page of content that they do not understand. T&C are intimidating to
the users and people do not want to read them.

> 3) Store the data already entered in a session via Ajax and retain it
> when the user comes back

Only works with JS

> 4) Include the data in an IFRAME or via Ajax setting the focus to it
> when the user hits the T&C link (not that accessible, but does work)

Only works with JS

> 5) Call the link next to the terms and conditions checkbox I agree
> with the _Terms and Conditions_ (shift-click to open in a new window)
> and remove the parenthesis when JS is available and you can apply a
> handler.

This assumes that users know what they want. Unfortunately that is not
always the case. Many users might not understand the importance of opening
this page in a separate window. They click on the link without pressing
Shift and then realise that they just lost all their data.

> ah (6) Make the terms and conditions link a terms and conditions
> button that sends the data and stores it in the session or POST
> arguments and retains them when you choose the form view again.

Users do not know that their data was just stored in a POST argument.
Firstly, most users will get a shock, assuming they just lost all their
data. Then they will press the Back button and be presented with the
shocking "Refresh your browser" message that most people do not understand.

I am sorry, but in the long run the popup window is the best solution for
T&C. The reason for this is that users expect this behaviour when requesting
information while in the middle of a linear process. Experience with other
applications (be it Word, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, whatever) taught us that
this is how computers behave.




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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Rick Faaberg
On 8/15/06 12:43 AM "Tony Crockford" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> sent this out:

>> It's not a question of users' stupidity! It's a matter of if *I* feel that a
>> new window is the best way to present the information!
> 
> I'm aghast at such an attitude on a web *standards* list.

You've missed the point. There are many secure transaction et al scenarios
that pretty much require new windows. See Steve Olive's follow-on post. I've
quoted it below for your viewing pleasure. :-)

Whatever... my "feelings" are not hurt! ;-)

Rick

 Steve Olive's response 

There are very good reasons to open new windows, not just when using frames,
online banking being one of them. Opening a new window, secured with SSL
encryption and breaking this connection by closing the window when "logging
off". Usually all browser buttons, address bars, menus are turned off on
these windows so there is no way a user can change to "normal" surfing of
the 
Internet thus preventing any history security issues.

By removing "target=_blank" you are forcing the use of JavaScript to open
the 
window. This usually isn't an issue because JavaScripts are used for other
features, but it should not be necessary just to generate secure sessions.

I'm sure there are other secure online transactions that need this feature
and 
are stopped from using strict doctypes (XHTML or HTML) because of this
feature is removed.

Opening new windows for secure sessions makes me feel very 21st Century -
the 
developers are understanding the security risks presented by the wide spread
adoption of online life.

-- 
Regards,

Steve
Bathurst Computer Solutions
URL: www.bathurstcomputers.com.au
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Mobile: 0407 224 251



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RE: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media]
> -Original Message-
> From: listdad@webstandardsgroup.org 
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Susie 
> Gardner-Brown
> Sent: Tuesday, 15 August 2006 1:05 PM
> To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org
> Subject: Re: [WSG] target=_blank
> 
> 2.  On a Mac, if you open a new Word document when you've got 
> one open already, it offsets it so you can see both are 
> there! Which is also what happens on a Mac when you go to a 
> new browser window ...
> 
> The obvious answer is that everyone should switch to Macs!!
> 


Funny that you mention the Mac behaviour. Mac does exactly what all of us
are agreeing to be terrible behaviour of some websites: it constantly opens
new windows all over the place. So how comes this behaviour is accepted by
the Mac community who are known to openly support their interface, yet it is
shunned in web development standards?




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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Rick Faaberg
On 8/15/06 12:36 AM "Tim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> sent this out:

> What you "feel" is irrelevant to your user's experience
> You are making a huge assumption, committed to a position you could
> reconsider.
> Change your feelings, fall out of love with this position it is
> demeaning to many users.

When I say "feel" I meant PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT. Your professional judgment
is that a new window is never justifed? Sigh.

Don't you ever have a professional judgment that a new window might be the
best way to get a user to refresh their login *for example* without
destroying their current browser window?

Rick



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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Rick Faaberg
On 8/15/06 12:30 AM "Christian Heilmann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> sent
this out:

>>> Let them open a new window themselves. I do not assume my users are so
>>> stupid.
>> 
>> It's not a question of users' stupidity! It's a matter of if *I* feel that a
>> new window is the best way to present the information!
> 
> Why do you ask then?

I didn't ask a thing. Just saying that if the best way to present a smaller
morsel of info is, say, a small new window, then I want that control and I
don't need a bunch of wsg folks (or maybe even w3c folks) saying it's so
(ahem) evil that I dare not do it.

As someone else said, lots of us are headed toward webpages-as-apps and much
of this "new window is evil" stuff becomes pretty stupid in itself when a
new window perfectly presents some info in the most useful way and a simple
"close window" or "accept" puts you right back where you were in the prior
window.

But you do your thing! You have my permission! :-)

Rick



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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Steve Olive
On Tuesday 15 August 2006 10:21, Christian Heilmann wrote:
>
> I know what is wrong with popups - they are unreliable, mean a new
> instance of the browser rather than taking resources for only one,
> they are insecure (until browsers always show the location bar - which
> MSIE will do in the 7th version you can simulate a popup appearing to
> be from the originating page while it isn't - and ask people for their
> credit card details) and they simply give me a 1999 feel.
>
> Generally: What is useful to you is not useful to everybody. You can
> easily offer these things when and after you tested if the user's
> browser can support it - or even better if the user wants it (a
> checkbox with "open links in new windows" for example). But assuming
> users can and want to deal with several windows is just arrogance.

There are very good reasons to open new windows, not just when using frames, 
online banking being one of them. Opening a new window, secured with SSL 
encryption and breaking this connection by closing the window when "logging 
off". Usually all browser buttons, address bars, menus are turned off on 
these windows so there is no way a user can change to "normal" surfing of the 
Internet thus preventing any history security issues.

By removing "target=_blank" you are forcing the use of JavaScript to open the 
window. This usually isn't an issue because JavaScripts are used for other 
features, but it should not be necessary just to generate secure sessions.

I'm sure there are other secure online transactions that need this feature and 
are stopped from using strict doctypes (XHTML or HTML) because of this 
feature is removed.

Opening new windows for secure sessions makes me feel very 21st Century - the 
developers are understanding the security risks presented by the wide spread 
adoption of online life.

-- 
Regards,

Steve
Bathurst Computer Solutions
URL: www.bathurstcomputers.com.au
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Mobile: 0407 224 251
 _
... (0)>
... / / \
.. / / . )
.. V_/_
Linux Powered!
Registered Linux User #355382


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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Tony Crockford

Rick Faaberg wrote:

It's not a question of users' stupidity! It's a matter of if *I* feel that a
new window is the best way to present the information!


I'm aghast at such an attitude on a web *standards* list.

in fact the whole thread contains arguments against using the 
standards and they all seem to be about personal preference.


if you want to create web pages based on personal preference, why are 
you a member of the web standards group?


 "The Web Standards Group is for web designers & developers who are 
interested in web standards (HTML, XHTML, XML, CSS, XSLT etc.) and 
best practices (accessible sites using valid and semantically correct 
code). We aim to:


* Provide web developers and designers with a forum to discuss 
issues and share knowledge (via our discussion list and regular meetings)

* Provide web standards information and assistance to developers
* Promote "web standards" within the development community"


perhaps we should all examine our attitudes?

;o)


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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Ross Bruniges
> You touched a good argument for another discussion though. People do
> tend to rely on massive libraries though. The solution would be to
> centralise the libraries on one server and ask people to use these
> URLs instead, then they'd be cached on the first page they are used
> and subsequently cached. We were thinking of doing that with the YUI.

I think that would be an AWESOME idea Christain! I do the same with my core CSS 
files were I work and can now change site wide colour palettes in seconds on a 
very "global" basis - for YUI the term global would actually be properly global!

I am sure there are practical reasons why this may not work but from my point 
of view I would really be for that!






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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Tim

What you "feel" is irrelevant to your user's experience
You are making a huge assumption, committed to a position you could 
reconsider.
Change your feelings, fall out of love with this position it is 
demeaning to many users.


I hate sites that open new windows.
I feel that you are wrong.

On 15/08/2006, at 5:22 PM, Rick Faaberg wrote:


On 8/15/06 12:15 AM "Tim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> sent this out:


Let them open a new window themselves. I do not assume my users are so
stupid.


It's not a question of users' stupidity! It's a matter of if *I* feel 
that a

new window is the best way to present the information!

Sigh...

Rick



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The Editor
Heretic Press
http://www.hereticpress.com
Email [EMAIL PROTECTED]



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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Christian Heilmann

> Let them open a new window themselves. I do not assume my users are so
> stupid.

It's not a question of users' stupidity! It's a matter of if *I* feel that a
new window is the best way to present the information!


Why do you ask then?


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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Christian Heilmann

[the classic terms and conditions]

> But can anybody give me a reasonable example of solving this problem without
> target=_blank?

1) Make the Terms and conditions a mandatory step before reaching the
form - this is also legaly the most secure. As they are annoying show
them upfront as a must rather than sneakily in a link that might make
the user lose her data to boot.
2) Embed the terms and conditions in the same document and link them
with an anchor - that also allows you to use any CSS magic to make
them not take up too much screenspace (overflow) - if your argument is
that they need to be maintained separately, use SSI to pull them in
server-side.
3) Store the data already entered in a session via Ajax and retain it
when the user comes back
4) Include the data in an IFRAME or via Ajax setting the focus to it
when the user hits the T&C link (not that accessible, but does work)
5) Call the link next to the terms and conditions checkbox I agree
with the _Terms and Conditions_ (shift-click to open in a new window)
and remove the parenthesis when JS is available and you can apply a
handler.


ah (6) Make the terms and conditions link a terms and conditions
button that sends the data and stores it in the session or POST
arguments and retains them when you choose the form view again.


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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Christian Heilmann

[the classic terms and conditions]


But can anybody give me a reasonable example of solving this problem without
target=_blank?


1) Make the Terms and conditions a mandatory step before reaching the
form - this is also legaly the most secure. As they are annoying show
them upfront as a must rather than sneakily in a link that might make
the user lose her data to boot.
2) Embed the terms and conditions in the same document and link them
with an anchor - that also allows you to use any CSS magic to make
them not take up too much screenspace (overflow) - if your argument is
that they need to be maintained separately, use SSI to pull them in
server-side.
3) Store the data already entered in a session via Ajax and retain it
when the user comes back
4) Include the data in an IFRAME or via Ajax setting the focus to it
when the user hits the T&C link (not that accessible, but does work)
5) Call the link next to the terms and conditions checkbox I agree
with the _Terms and Conditions_ (shift-click to open in a new window)
and remove the parenthesis when JS is available and you can apply a
handler.


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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Rick Faaberg
On 8/15/06 12:15 AM "Tim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> sent this out:

> Let them open a new window themselves. I do not assume my users are so
> stupid.

It's not a question of users' stupidity! It's a matter of if *I* feel that a
new window is the best way to present the information!

Sigh...

Rick



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Re: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Tim

On 15/08/2006, at 4:55 PM, Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media] wrote:


You cannot expect users to know to Shift-click a link to open the T&C
in a new window


Why not?  This is one huge assumption that your users are silly and 
cannot shift click or right click.
Let them open a new window themselves. I do not assume my users are so 
stupid.





The Editor
Heretic Press
http://www.hereticpress.com
Email [EMAIL PROTECTED]



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RE: [WSG] target=_blank

2006-08-15 Thread Andreas Boehmer [Addictive Media]
> --- Original Post ---
> Now that websites are moving more towards application style, 
> they should
> really behave like applications as we are accustomed to. And 
> a fact is that
> applications require pop-up windows at certain stages. Mostly when
> information is provided that falls outside of a linear 
> process. The typical
> example: a user fills out a form and wants to read the Terms 
> and Conditions.
> Or a user works in MS Word and wants to read the Help File. 
> 
> [...]
> In Word, if I decide to access information that help me work with the
> current document (e.g. help file, save dialog, document preferences) I
> expect them to open in a pop-up window. Why should it be any 
> different on
> the web?
> 
> Making "target" an invalid attribute for links is plain 
> stupid. It forces
> developers to revert to some javascript ways of opening a new 
> window which
> potentially makes websites extremely user-unfriendly for people with
> javascript disabled. 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: listdad@webstandardsgroup.org 
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Samuel Richardson
> Sent: Tuesday, 15 August 2006 1:57 PM
> To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org
> Subject: RE: [WSG] target=_blank
> 
> If the website is not user friendly for those with JavaScript 
> disabled then
> it is a poorly designed website. Allowing target="_blank" 
> does not fix this.
> For instance, how would a cell phone browser handle 
> target="_blank"? You
> can't rely on it.
> 

Well, let's take the scenario of a form that people have to fill out on a
website. Before submitting the form, the users need to agree to certain
Terms & Conditions. If we imagine the Terms & Conditions are way too long to
display as part of the form, the obvious solution is to display them on a
separate page that users can open if they wish.

What other reasonable solution is there than using target=_blank for that
link? Opening in the same page will loose all the information the user
entered into the form, which is one of the most frustrating things in the
world. You cannot expect users to know to Shift-click a link to open the T&C
in a new window. If you rely on Javascript to open the page in a new browser
window than those with Javascript disabled will again loose whatever they
entered into the form. 

Of course the best solution would be to use Javascript to open the window in
a user-friendly format (e.g. foreground, focus, smaller than the main
window, blah, blah) and use the target=_blank as the alternative for
browsers without Javascript.

But can anybody give me a reasonable example of solving this problem without
target=_blank?




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