HTML Writers Guild Newsletter
Volume 6, Number 3, 5 February 2000
http://www.hwg.org/
mailto:editor@hwg.org
Table of Contents
1. XHTML: Bridging the Gap between HTML and XML
2. Work With Us on Project Gutenberg -- Start Using XHTML and XML Today!
3. Tips: Guild Members Speak Out on "Worst Web Design Mistakes"
(Next Issue's Topic: Creating Effective Forms)
4. Annual HWG Online Membership Meeting: 24 February 2000
5. Improve Your Skills Today! Online Classes Updates
6. W3C Releases Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines
7. Volunteers Wanted: Become a List Guide
8. VBits and Beyond: Upcoming HWG Conferences and Events
9. Questions About Your Subscription? Read the HWG-News FAQ!
This issue of HWG-News is sponsored by:
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1. XHTML: Bridging the Gap between HTML and XML
(Kynn Bartlett, HWG President, kynn@hwg.org)
On 26 January 2000, the World Wide Web Consortium released the newest
flavor of HTML -- XHTML. The HTML Writers Guild is proud to have
played a role in the development of this specification, and we would
like to thank Ann Navarro and Frank Boumphrey for their dedication and
hard work in the W3C's HTML Working Group.
But what _is_ XHTML, and what does it mean to members of the Guild?
WHAT IS XHTML?
To understand that, first we need to review what HTML is. Hypertext
Markup Language was created as an "application" of SGML (Standard
Generalized Markup Language), which is a "meta-language" for describing
other markup languages.
Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML) is simply a version of
HTML but defined as an application of XML (Extensible Markup Language).
XML was developed as another "meta-language", not as complex as SGML
but powerful enough for use in web environments.
WHY XHTML?
Why an XML-based HTML, if we already have "normal" HTML? By using
XHTML, we have access to the strengths of XML -- extensibility and
interoperability. Developers can extend XHTML through modules, DTDs,
schemas, and incorporation of other XML-based languages. XSLT
(Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations), which allow XML
documents to be easily changed from one representation to another,
will make it easy to adapt XHTML pages for a wide variety of browsers
and user agents.
WHAT IS XHTML LIKE?
If you're already familiar with HTML 4.01, you'll find that XHTML
1.0 offers the same features and abilities you've always had. (Future
versions of XHTML will expand beyond simply "translating" the HTML
specification into XML.)
There are some differences in syntax, however; the most notable ones
include:
* Documents must be "well formed" -- an XML term meaning that
tags must match and be nested properly
* Element and attribute names must be in lower case
* For non-empty elements, end tags are required -- no more
optional or tags
* Attribute values must always be enclosed in quotes
* Empty elements must either have an end tag, or the start tag
must end with />
If you're like at least half of the web designers out there, the
second bullet point above might stand out and you may be asking:
WHY LOWER CASE?
In HTML, tags and attributes are not case sensitive. This means
that , , , and even refer to the same thing;
you can have your opening tag be and your closing tag ,
and it all works fine.
XML, the language used to build XHTML, is case sensitive.
is considered a different tag from , , or , in XML.
Because of this, a standard for XHTML tags had to be set -- and the
most likely choices were "all uppercase" (such as ), or "all
lowercase" (such as ). In the end, lowercase won out, although
it really could have gone either way; a semi-arbitrary choice had to
be made.
DO CURRENT BROWSERS SUPPORT XHTML?
No and yes. Current browser releases do not speak XHTML, they speak
HTML. However, it is possible to write XHTML in a way that is
compatible with HTML, and will not break on existing HTML-based
browsers. These are described in Appendix C of the XHTML specification.
As an example, the "hr" (horizontal rule) tag must be closed, and
would normally be written in XHTML as either
or
.
However, this will confuse many existing HTML-based browsers; instead,
you can write the tag as
-- note the space. This is legitimate
XHTML and is compatible with HTML browsers.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT XHTML?
The complete spec for XHTML 1.0 is available via the web from the W3C's
web site:
http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/
For a chance to experience XHTML and XML first-hand -- or perhaps just
view the source of some web pages written in XHTML -- read on to the
next article!
2. Work With Us on Project Gutenberg -- Start Using XHTML and XML Today!
(Frank Boumphrey, HWG Gutenberg coordinator, frank@hwg.org)
We are coming close to the official launch of our co-operative effort
with Project Gutenberg, scheduled for later this month.
Those of you who have read previous issues of this news letter will
know that Project Gutenberg is an organization dedicated to converting
the world's great documents into ASCII text, called "e-texts." We at
the HWG are going to start marking up these documents as either XHTML
or XML.
This will be both a way that HWG members can contribute to the
cultural fabric of society and a useful way to get hands-on experience
learning and working with XHTML and XML!
To explain the procedure and how you can help with this endeavour,
we've posted a number of pages -- written in XHTML, of course! --
on our web site at:
http://www.hwg.org/opcenter/gutenberg/
Please send any comments that you might have on the XHTML pages to
frank@hwg.org. I am particularly interested in comments on how easy
the pages are to use.
Volunteers have already marked up a variety of books, plays, and
poetry. For the record, Donna Smillie was the first person to mark up
a document, and for her initiative I am awarding her a HWG t-shirt!
If you have Internet Explorer 5.0 or any other XML-enabled browser
you will be able to read documents we've marked up.
We would also like to "stress-test" our DTDs before our official
launch later this month, and this can only be done by using them to
mark up documents. We are currently testing three DTDs, and would
dearly love for you to help us to stress test these before we go out
to the wide world.
Anyone interested in Project Gutenberg is encouraged to read our
web site, join the Gutenberg mailing lists, and get involved! If you
would like to volunteer, please send email to:
mailto:frank@hwg.org
3. Tips: Guild Members Speak Out on "Worst Web Design Mistakes"
(Kynn Bartlett, HWG-News Editor, hwg-news-tips@hwg.org)
The Guild's foundation is members helping members, sharing our expertise
and knowledge to improve our skills in the craft of web design. Everyone
has something to teach, and something to learn!
In keeping with that spirit, the HWG-News Newsletter HWG-News features
member-submitted "tips" in each issue, in the space between articles and
announcements. What happens if your tip is selected? Each issue, the
first-place winner will receive a free HWG t-shirt. Runner-up tips will
be also listed in the HWG-News newsletter as space permits, and
submissions will be posted on the HWG web site.
The topic announced last issue really struck a nerve among the members;
many people have very strong ideas about what the "Worst Web Design
Mistakes" are, and how you can avoid them! A full list of all tips
submitted can be found online at:
http://www.hwg.org/opcenter/newsletter/tips/
Complete rules and information (including size limits) are also listed
at the URL above -- please read it!
This issue's winner was sent in by Scott Evans:
[HWG-News Tip: Worst Web Design Mistakes-----------------------------]
"The most common mistake we make as designers is to bombard the site
we're designing with the latest trick we've learned. Remember that
being aesthetically pleasing is crucial to a site. Avoid bad color
combos - sharply contrast the text with the background and check it
different browsers. Avoid huge graphics - it doesn't matter how
wonderful the 85K graphic you created looks if the visitor, bored,
clicks away and moves on. There are many programs that can assist
you in compressing the graphic without losing massive integrity."
[---------------------Submitted by Scott Evans ]
If you have suggestions for upcoming HWG News Tip topics, you can
send those to hwg-news-tips@hwg.org as well. The category for
the next newsletter is:
Creating Effective Forms
Input fields, checkboxes, textareas, radio buttons -- these
are the building blocks of HTML forms. How can you use them
to greatest effect? When should you use each type of input
element? Can you validate your users' input? How do you
process a form once it has been submitted?
Send in your best advice on how to use forms effectively! Email
your tips to hwg-news-tips@hwg.org.
4. Annual HWG Online Membership Meeting: 24 February 2000
(Leanne Phillips, HWG Secretary, secretary@hwg.org)
Each year, the HTML Writers Guild holds our official online meeting
to which all members are invited. This year's meeting will be held
in place of the February Town Hall meeting. The details for this
meeting are:
Year 2000 Annual HWG Membership Meeting
Date: Thursday, 24 February 2000
Time: 6:30 p.m. PST, 9:30 p.m. EST
Server: HWG Interactive, http://interact.hwg.org/
IRC: irc.hwg.org, port 6667
Channel: #meeting
To connect, either go to the URL above and use the Java-based client
available via the web, or use your favorite IRC client and join channel
#townhall.
The agenda for the 2000 membership meeting consists of:
1. Welcome and Introduction of GB Members
2. State of the Guild Summary
3. Membership Numbers and Growth
4. Financial Overview and Treasurer's Report
5. News on Specific Guild Activities:
A. Online Education Program
B. Accessible Web Authoring Resources and Education Center
C. The Mailing List Program
D. HWG Participation in the W3C
E. Project Gutenberg and XML Activities
F. Conference Attendance and Speaker's Bureau
6. Future Goals of the HWG
7. Appreciation and Thanks to the 1999-2000 Board
8. Official Adjournment
9. Question and Answer Session (informal)
We hope to see you all there -- remember, all members of the Guild
are welcome!
[HWG-News Tip: Worst Web Design Mistakes-----------------------------]
"The worst mistake by far is to forget about the people who are
going to use your site. I can't tell you how many sites which
would attract novice users because of their content, drive the
same users away with their use of plug-ins or other bleeding edge
technologies. Also, I've been to sites about web-design that my
dog could have created - hardly inspiring me to take any of their
advice."
[-----------------Submitted by Steve Garwood ]
5. Improve Your Skills Today! Online Classes Updates
(Ann Navarro, Online Education Director, classes@hwg.org)
We invite you to find out what thousands of your fellow web designers
have already learned -- HWG online classes are a great way to pick
up new skills for a new millennium!
Through a web-based interface, we offer a broad series of online
classes designed to teach you the skills you need, in a way that fits
your busy schedule. Our instructors are your fellow Guild members,
chosen for their expertise in their field and their willingness to
pass along their experience to you.
Upcoming courses you can take include:
Designing for Universal Accessibility with HTML 4.0
Dates: February 14, 2000 - March 26, 2000 (6 weeks)
Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members
Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/d201.8.html
Can your web site be used by everyone, including people with
disabilities, older browsers, and hand-held computers? If you're
not sure, take this course; it could change the way you view the
web
Introduction to HTML 4.0
Dates: February 28, 2000 - April 7, 2000 (6 weeks)
Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members
Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/h101.12.html
Leave your WYSIWYG editor behind and explore the nuts and bolts that
make web pages function!
Programming with Active Server Pages
** NEW COURSE **
Dates: March 6, 2000 - April 16, 2000 (6 weeks)
Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members
Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/ms102.1.html
Part 2 of our exciting series on ASP programming! A continuation of
Active Server Pages for Non-programmers (HWG online course MS101),
students will take their existing scripting and ASP skills and begin
to build more complex applications.
Business Writing Basics
Dates: March 6, 2000 - April 30, 2000 (8 weeks)
Tuition: $25 Full members, $50 Trial members
Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/b101.6.html
You may be good at HTML tags, but that's just half the equation!
Learn how to make your content sizzle in our writing course!
Introduction to JavaScript
Dates: March 13, 2000 - April 28, 2000 (7 weeks)
Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members
Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/p151.7.html
The Javascript language allows you to add interactivity to your web
pages -- this course will teach you the basics of programming in
Javascript for multiple browser types.
Beginning Programming with Perl
Dates: March 13, 2000 - April 28, 2000 (7 weeks)
Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members
Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/p101.6.html
Learn the basics of the Perl programming language, system
administration, and a variety of other tasks. The course will cover
the fundamentals of the language, preparing you for a variety of
scripting projects. (Please note that this is not a CGI course.)
Creating Web Graphics with Paint Shop Pro
Dates: March 20, 2000 - April 28, 2000 (6 weeks)
Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members
Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/g201.5.html
Release your inner artist! This graphics course will teach
you to create your own stunning images for use on your website,
using the Paint Shop Pro program.
COURSE FEES
Course fees are based on membership level; Full members receive a
discounted tuition price, while Trial members pay the standard price.
Full membership is only $40 per year, so upgrade your membership
before registering, and save money! Payments may be made online via
secure transaction; all figures are in U.S. funds.
A certificate of completion is available for an additional $5;
the request needs to be made at the time of registration. Textbooks
(when required) are separate and may be purchased through the Guild's
online bookstore, The Bookmark. Books should be purchased before the
first week of class! In addition, students should have regular access
to the web and the ability to post completed assignments on a
public (non-Intranet) web server.
Sign up today through our online enrollment forms or get more
information at:
http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/
[HWG-News Tip: Worst Web Design Mistakes-----------------------------]
"The most obvious web design error is lack of contrast on web pages.
If a dark background is used, the font must be light colored or it
will be unreadable. Conversely, if a light background is used, the
font must be dark. Often the backgrounds are simply too busy,
making it difficult to read the text, regardless of font color.
If your web pages are unreadable when you're creating them, they
won't be any better on the web."
[------------------Submitted by Debbie Sternecky ]
6. W3C Releases Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines
(Kynn Bartlett, WAI Authoring Tools Rep, kynn@hwg.org)
The World Wide Web Consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative develops
a number of specifications designed to enhance the access of people
with disabilities to web content and software. On 3 February 2000,
they released the 1.0 version of the Authoring Tool Accessibility
Guidelines, a road map for people who make HTML editors and other
web creation utilities so that their programs can be used by people
with disabilities, and the output of their programs can be used by
anyone on the web.
The HTML Writers Guild was pleased to be one of the contributors
to this specification, which you can read at:
http://www.w3.org/TR/ATAG10/
For more information web accessibility, including advice on how
to make sure your web pages can be used by people with disabilities,
please see the Guild's Accessible Web Authoring Resources and
Education Center at:
http://aware.hwg.org/
[HWG-News Tip: Worst Web Design Mistakes-----------------------------]
"Navigation should be intuitive and simple. Never assume your
audience can identify an icon by appearance alone. With few
exceptions (such as an envelope signifying "mail" or "contact
information", a house signifying "home" and maybe a magnifying
glass for "search") there are few icons which are universally
understood. To assist, textual elements should be included to
guide an audience. Few things are as frustrating and will turn
off an audience faster than a confusing navigation system."
[--------Submitted by Bradt Duryea-Wright ]
7. Volunteers Wanted: Become a List Guide
(Melanie Trivett, List Guide Manager, lg-manager@hwg.org)
The List Guide Program is in need of a few good people!
The program's purpose is to maintain the quality of the discussion
lists. List Guides also help list members with problems or questions
they can't ask on the lists. To be successful as a List Guide, you
should be familiar with the HWG and its resources and like to help
people.
There are a few requirements for this position. You should currently
be a member of the HWG and have no recent suspensions from the lists --
a recent suspension being one that occurred within the last three
months. You should also have at least 6 to 12 hours available each
week for List Guide duty. A reliable email account is a must.
If you're interested, please take a few minutes and send the following
information to . This information forms your
application to the List Guide program.
1. Name
2. Age
3. Email address
3. Alternative email addresses you may have used on HWG
mailing lists
4. List or lists you would be most interested in serving on.
(Depending on availability)
5. How long you've been a member of the Guild (estimates are
fine)
6. Areas of HTML or web design in which you have experience.
Please indicate level of expertise and give examples of
work (URLs only) or other information to give us an idea
of what you know.
7. Time availability including current work/school status
8. Any special qualifications or skills that may be an asset
to the List Guide program
9. Why you think you'd make a good List Guide
We look forward to hearing from you soon! For more information on
the HTML Writers Guild's discussion lists, please see:
http://www.hwg.org/lists/mailinglists.html
[HWG-News Tip: Worst Web Design Mistakes-----------------------------]
"Check and double check your spelling and every link to make sure
they work. Nothing makes us look more like amateurs than misspelled
words and links that either go the wrong place or come up with no
page at all!"
[-----------------------Submitted by Cathy Gage ]
8. VBits and Beyond: Upcoming HWG Conferences and Events
(Frank Boumphrey, VP of Special Events, vp-events@hwg.org)
As part of our ongoing Speakers Bureau program, we are pleased to
present this list of upcoming industry events at which the Guild will
be participating. More information can be found at our events page:
http://www.hwg.org/opcenter/events/
* VBits
San Francisco, CA
February 12 - February 17, 2000
http://www.vbits99.com/
Frank Boumphrey will be speaking on using VB and XML to create web
applications.
* Intranets 2000
San Jose, CA
February 27 - March 1, 2000
http://www.intranets2000.com/
We will be presenting two workshops at this conference, on "Basic
XML" and "Advanced HTML Authoring."
* WinWriters Online Help Conference
San Diego, CA
March 5 - March 9, 2000
http://www.winwriters.com/ohc.htm
We will be having a booth at this conference and we will be presenting
a workshop on "Using XHTML for Universal Display and Accessibility".
* SHARE: Practical Information for IT Professionals
Anaheim, CA
March 5 - March 10, 2000
http://www.share.org/anaheim
HWG President and AWARE Center director Kynn Bartlett will be
presenting "Meeting the Accessibility Challenge: Can Everyone Use
Your Web Site?" on March 6.
* CSUN's International Conference on Technology and People with
Disabilities
Los Angeles, CA
March 20 - March 25, 2000
http://www.csun.edu/cod/
The Guild will be sponsoring a booth at this event, which focuses on
the use of technology to overcome disability barriers! Learn more
about the web as assistive technology at http://aware.hwg.org/
* WWW9 -- The Ninth World Wide Web Conference
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
May 15 - May 19, 2000
http://www.www9.org/
We will be presenting a workshop at this conference entitled "Crafting
and Reforming HTML Pages as XHTML."
If you are attending any of these events, please stop by and introduce
yourself to our HWG representatives, we'd love to meet you!
[HWG-News Tip: Worst Web Design Mistakes-----------------------------]
"One of the worst mistakes on a web page or web site has to be too
many applets on a page. When the page takes over 5 minutes to load
because of the applets that really don't do much, that is a waste
of time. I believe if the applet has a specific purpose, such as
a shopping cart that wait is appropriate, but not for a snowing
picture along with something that follows the cursor."
[--------------------Submitted by Kainn Bishop ]
9. Questions About Your Subscription? Read the HWG-News FAQ!
(HWG-News Newsletter Editor, editor@hwg.org)
This newsletter was edited by Kynn Bartlett .
Some questions you may be asking:
Q: Why did I get this mail?
A: You received this newsletter because you are a member of the
HTML Writers Guild. This message came from HWG-News, the Guild's
mandatory mailing list for all members. If you need more information
about HWG-News, please see the List Charter at:
http://www.hwg.org/lists/hwg-news/index.html
Q. Why doesn't this newsletter talk about web design or HTML more?
A. The newsletter is the Guild's administrative bulletin to the
membership; beyond the HWG News Tips, we don't include specific
information on web creation. If you are interested in the topics
of Web design and HTML, then you might want to subscribe to
some of our discussion lists devoted to those topics. More
information on the Guild's offering of discussion lists can be
found at:
http://www.hwg.org/lists/mailinglists.html
Q. How can I find out more about Guild activities?
A. The Guild has set up a one-way announcement list, HWG-Announce,
that carries bulletins of day-to-day Guild business. For details
on how to subscribe, please see:
http://www.hwg.org/lists/hwg-announce/
Q: How do I unsubscribe from HWG-News?
A: Since this is a required list in order to maintain your
Guild membership, unsubscribing is the same as resigning from
the HTML Writers Guild.
If you have your Member ID and password, to resign your membership
in the Guild and to unsubscribe to HWG-News, visit:
http://www.hwg.org/member/resign.html
Fill in the pertinent information, and submit it.
If you don't have a Member ID, or have forgotten your password, send
mail to:
mailto:lost-password@hwg.org
with a Subject of: Resign membership
In the body of the message, provide the following information:
* Your email address(es)
* Your member ID if you have one.
* The list of discussion lists you are on.
Please remember that unsubscribing to HWG-News automatically
resigns you from the Guild. If you have problems with unsubscribing,
please contact the password support team
for help.
Q: Can my company advertise in the Guild's newsletter?
A: Yes; the Guild is offering sponsorship opportunities in HWG-News
on a limited basis. If you are interested in advertising your
web related product or service here, please send email to
advertising@hwg.org or call (714) 526-4963. Discounts are available
to Guild Business and Corporate members, as well as for multiple
placements. The Guild's newsletter reaches over 107,000 web authors
worldwide each month.
(Note: The Guild does not make our member database available for
third party use. We have a strong privacy policy and will not
release our members' personal information; our mailing list is
not for sale. Any questions regarding the Guild's advertising or
privacy policies can be directed to advertising@hwg.org.)
Q: What if I want to comment on this newsletter?
A: The HWG-News Mailing List is a "Read-Only" list -- please do not try
to reply to this message directly.
If you wish to contact the editor of this newsletter, you may do
so by sending email to editor@hwg.org. Each article begins with
the contact information for the author as well.
Copyright 2000, HTML Writers Guild, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
Published twice monthly via email and WWW.