WHAT IS AJAX?

What?! You don’t know? And you call yourself a nerd…

AJAX is short for: ‘Asynchronous JavaScript and XML’. AJAX is a combination of technologies that have been around for years.

• HTML/XHTML
• CSS
• DOM
• JavaScript
• XMLHttpRequest object to exchange data asynchronously.

From Wikipedia:

Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, or Ajax, is a web development technique for creating interactive web applications.

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In this article, I will look at some of the misleading arguments used to promote Web Standards.

Before I jump into this, I would like to point out a few things:

• The Web Standards are a good thing since it can make life easier for web designers.
• Theory should not trump practicality. As such, many of my arguments are based on practical considerations.

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People have gone a little ‘cucu for coco-pops’ when it comes to the Web Standards.

The Web Standards zealots have taken a specification (that was created to serve as a guide for browser manufactures,) and made it into a set of ‘holy commandments’ for web designers.

This ‘movement’, that is largely based on false and erroneous claims; claims that have caused counted countless wasted hours, and has brought many web designers to tears … and all for little to no practical benefit.

The Web Standards are a great thing … it is the Web Standards movement that has gone way to far - and to the benefit of who I wonder?

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This is just the first in a series of articles that will reveal the truth about this mess.

I will challenge (and disprove) the (supposed) advantages of zealous adherence to the Web Standards.

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Short answer:

JavaScript is not very important when you look at it from a practical perspective.

OK, why?

Simple really- about 10% of the people on the Internet have their JavaScript turned off - they’re afraid that it might pose some security risk.

Even though that fear is unjustified, the fact remains that you can’t depend on JavaScript working for a significant audience. That means you can’t use JavaScript for any critical work on a public website.

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The Zen of CSS Design uses websites (derived from the CSS Zen Garden website,) to teach CSS based layout along with a smattering of other web design topics.

NOTE: many of the techniques described in this book depend on hacks that we now know will cause big problems with the next Web Standards compliant version of IE - IE7 will break many common CSS hacks. So don’t buy this book for the CSS advice since it is riddled with the use of hacks.

If you’re really into the ‘design’ aspect of web design, you may want to consider this book.

Note: this is not a beginners book, you need to be comfortable with CSS and HTML/XHTML.

This book reminds of Eric Meyers glossy books on CSS except:

• This book deals with design principles as they relate to web design. Where Meyer’s books are more about the ‘nuts and bolts’ of CSS layout.
• The websites showcased are stunning.

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