I don't consider myself a guru on web standards (specifically XHTML/CSS) but am learning and getting better.
I like standards. I dont like how they aren't uniformly supported (and am not really concerned about getting into another Browser Wars thread). But I am having some issues with Relative Fonts (you know the EM's). I understand them. Know why it is good to use them. And have built the "templates" (header/footer wrappers) for our site with EM's. There are issues though.... * Embedded WYSIWYG editors are still very immature when it comes to XHTML and CSS (our CMS lets us plug in lots of editors but most of them lack something in some way or other) so enforcing the use of EM's is flawed (at best). Some of the editors support the use of stylesheets and I suppose that is a path I could go down - but fully compliant XHTML is still difficult given that most editors still allow hand editing (and you do still need that because the HTML world is not perfect). Some of it may size - some of it may not. * Lots of people out there don't even know their Browser has the ability to control font size in a relative way. So when we launched our new site we had HUNDREDS (not exagerating - they are all logged) of complaints about the font size being "too small" or "too big" because they did not have their font size set to "medium" (and there doesn't appear to be a way to detect what the setting is - probably because it is not "standard"). And, if you have a mouse with a scroll wheel, it is very easy for the size to change when you are on a "fixed size" page and not realise it. * Some (more likely than less) designs just CANNOT be implemented using only relative fonts. Say you want to have a fixed 200px wide column on the right hand side and a "stretchy" column in the middle. The content on the right hand side HAS to be designed to "look" right in that 200px space. So that means you cannot really use relative font sizes if you are filling the 200px space. If they size it up - it wont fit and will look stupid. So this then defeats the purpose of using relative fonts at all - because, when they DO upsize the font, part of the page will size and part of it wont. Just go to some of the "well known" CSS/XHTML standards-based sites (wont mention any names) and you will find that not every part of the page sizes - but is this right? What if the bit that is "too small" for my eyes (e.g. the Menu) is the bit that the designer has in a fixed font ? Lots of reasons to go back to fixed point sizes. So - what does everyone do? As I said, I know how EM's work, what they are for, why you would use them and am not asking about that - but I am just about ready to go back to fixed point sizes. I always thought I was just a "tech head" programmer but the designer in me is coming out and the "aesthetics" of sites are starting to assert themselves rather strongly. Relative font sizes ruin good design. Gary Menzel Web Development Manager IT Operations Brisbane -+- ABN AMRO Morgans Limited Level 29, 123 Eagle Street BRISBANE QLD 4000 PH: 07 333 44 828 FX: 07 3834 0828 To unsubscribe from this email please forward this email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] If this communication is not intended for you and you are not an authorised recipient of this email you are prohibited by law from dealing with or relying on the email or any file attachments. This prohibition includes reading, printing, copying, re-transmitting, disseminating, storing or in any other way dealing or acting in reliance on the information. If you have received this email in error, we request you contact ABN AMRO Morgans Limited immediately by returning the email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and destroy the original. We will refund any reasonable costs associated with notifying ABN AMRO Morgans. This email is confidential and may contain privileged client information. ABN AMRO Morgans has taken reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all its communications, including electronic communications, but accepts no liability for materials transmitted. Materials may also be transmitted without the knowledge of ABN AMRO Morgans. ABN AMRO Morgans Limited its directors and employees do not accept liability for the results of any actions taken or not on the basis of the information in this report. ABN AMRO Morgans Limited and its associates hold or may hold securities in the companies/trusts mentioned herein. Any recommendation is made on the basis of our research of the investment and may not suit the specific requirements of clients. Assessments of suitability to an individual?s portfolio can only be made after an examination of the particular client?s investments, financial circumstances and requirements. ABN AMRO Morgans Limited (ABN 49 010 669 726 AFSL 235410) A Participant of ASX Group ***************************************************** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help *****************************************************
