Re: Web works? (Was: Diverse Tools (was HTML editors))

["Simon North" <north -at- synopsys -dot- COM>]

Well, yes, I am an "old timer" (I remember when you used bangs 
("!") instead of ats ("@") in addresses and 300 baud wasn't bad) 
but I'm certainly not elitist ... and I'm sure as anything not a 
programmer, "just" a tech writer. 

[OT: it wasn't about democratization, it was about 
commercialization. The 'green card lawyers' and spamming made 
us all very scared about losing bandwidth. A&$holes On Line were 
their own worst enemies. Most didn't have the common sense to 
lurk or read an FAQ and some where downright abuse when people 
had the nerve not to answer their questions; they'd paid for their 
Internet access and they were d*&n well going to get their money's 
worth!]  

The Web works like a bicycle works as a form of transport; that 
doesn't stop me wishing it were a Porsche. It isn't elistist, it's just a 
yearning (and I know it's just daydreaming) for a better technical 
solution, especially when I know it's there for the using. As 
(technical) communicators, I believe we have a professional interest 
in information portability and longevity. (Have you stopped to think 
how useful the contents of the Web will be in 10 years, 100 years, 
1000 years, 10000 years?) As a 'markup' language, HTML is really 
the lowest common denominator. Ease of use has a price. 
 
Honestly, there's no snobbery or prejudice in my railing against 
WYSIWYG HTML editors. I use FP2000, but I also use HomeSite, 
Coffeecup, HoTMetaL, Dreamweaver, and several Adobe packages. 
Each has its own strengths, weaknesses and quirks. What I hate 
(and I'm not pointing fingers at any one package, all are guilty to 
some degree) is improperly nested tags, poor white space 
handling, unquoted attribute values, poor case sensitivity, use of 
unmatched tags - especially when used for formatting, all use of 
the FONT tag  instead of CSS style declarations ... the list is 
pretty long. It isn't so much about 'correct' HTML as 'right' HTML; I 
have yet to meet a mainstream HTML that forces you to properly 
nest heading levels (no H3 before and H2 ...). 

I rejoice in easy to use tools, no snobbery intended. However, as 
professional communicators --- is that elitist? --- I think we have a 
responsibility to promote the better technical solution, to strive for 
better standards and tools, to not silently accept the tools we're 
given without looking at the broader picture and to remind ourselves 
that there are better solutions. 

Simon.   
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