markup and css

There's growing interest in writing well-formed documents in HTML and XHTML, and using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to effectively separate markup from presentation. The advantages to this approach are numerous, and include:

• Easier file sharing between co-workers.
• Faster debugging and troubleshooting.
• Greater interoperability, especially with a variety of user agents beyond web browsers.
• Easier implementation of Accessibility features.

Please enjoy the following articles on markup and CSS.

CSS: The True Language of Web Design.
Part II: Primary Concepts and Methods found in CSS.
World Organization of Webmasters—April, 2002

This is the second in a series of articles introducing the ideas, syntactical conventions, and design inspiration available via Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). This article focuses on primary concepts and methods in CSS. Go >>

CSS: The True Language of Web Design.
Part I: The Separation of Presentation from Document Structure.
World Organization of Webmasters—March, 2002

This is the first column in a series that will introduce fundamental ideas, syntactical conventions, and design inspiration regarding the use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Go >>

The Fear of X.
PC Magazine—August, 2001

To many designers, XML just doesn't make sense-at least not immediately. After all, most of us did not start out as programmers, and XML seems a lot more abstract and complex than HTML. And XML, unlike HTML, isn't immediately gratifying in terms of creating Web pages.

But XHTML is a great intermediate step-a bridge between HTML and XML that not only is useful but can help Web builders conquer their fears of XML. In fact, understanding what X means and how to start using it isn't as difficult as you might think. Go >>

Move It or Lose It, WAP and WML.
Web Techniques Magazine—June, 2001

Creating wireless pages is like reverting to childhood, it's creative and simple because in many cases, the design process is very similar to what I was doing in the Web's early days. Paradoxically, a few of the technical issues that designers and developers must anticipate in wireless design relate to more logical and complex methods and languages. Go >>

Scalable Vector Graphics.
Web Techniques Magazine—April, 2001

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is a perfect example of technology and design meeting on a level playing field. Via XML markup, you can create and implement graphic images, animations, and interactive graphic designs for Web viewing. Go >>

Elements of Style.
Web Techniques Magazine—March, 2001

Despite advancements in browser support, especially with the impressive support the recent distribution of Netscape 6 provides, working with style sheets remains a challenge to even the most adept Web markup authors. Go >>

XHTML: XML On The Client Side.
XML Journal—April, 2001

A look at XHTML for XML developers. Go >>

To Use or Not to Use: An XHTML Roadmap for Designers.
DigitalWeb Magazine—March, 2001

Helpful and insightful look into why—or why not—a Web designer should use XHTML. Go >>

XHTML Basic: Modularization in Action.
Web Techniques Magazine—February, 2001

HTML is not only officially dead, it's decomposing. . That's really, truly the term the W3C uses to describe the concept of XHTML Modularization. By far, the best example of modularization to come out of the W3C is XHTML Basic, which uses modules specifically to create a language geared for wireless design. Go >>

Mind Your <table> Manners.
Web Techniques Magazine— November, 2000

Tips and tricks for producing tables that are streamlined, sensible, and bug-free. Go >>

XHTML 1.0: Marking up a new dawn: Getting familiar—and getting started—with the new standard.
IBM DeveloperWorks—October, 2000

XHTML 1.0 for Web developers. Go >>

Squeaky Clean Markup.
Web Techniques Magazine—May, 2000

HTML as we know it has undergone specific and eye-opening changes to prepare for tomorrow's more demanding technological needs. It has been reformulated into Extensible Hypertext Markup Language, or XHTML. The language's maturation was an eventuality, but that hasn't made it any less of a headache for coders. Despite the annoyance of breaking old HTML habits, XHTML is a useful tool once you've surmounted the learning curve. Go >>

One Step Back: Revisiting HTML.
WebReview.com—April, 2000

Looking closely at HTML 4.0. Go >>

Web Accessibility with HTML 4.0.
Web Techniques Magazine—December, 1999

Providing accessible Web sites is not just a courtesy—it has been interpreted in the U.S. as being the law. Web accessibility via HTML 4.0 should become a major concern for Webmasters interested in not just complying with graciousness, but lawfulness, too. Go >>

Dynamic vs. Fixed: A Proposal for Peace at the Table.
Web Techniques Magazine—October, 1999

PDynamics argue that the entire purpose of the Web is to be accessible, so tables that fill the entire, available screen space are where it's at. Fixed folk assert that while indeed, space is always of concern to visual design, the precise placement of elements on a page is what they're desperate to attain. Here are some ways to find peace with your sparring tables. Go >>

House Style at Microsoft: In Front of and Behind the Scenes.
Web Techniques Magazine—September, 1999

Here's how MSN struggled to define its personal identity. Go >>

Design Web Pages with Class: Make style sheets work harder, so you don't have to.
IBM DeveloperWorks—September, 1999

A look at classes in CSS. Go >>

Detect and route with JavaScript: Keep users happy by using savvy scripts.
IBM DeveloperWorks—September, 1999

Detecting and routing browsers. Go >>