RE: Problem with capabilities guideline (5.1.2)

Hi Mark,

thank you for your comments.  
I find it curious to find a proponent of a LCD approach :-), since most people tend to argue against it, but perhaps to explain better:

If you follow LCD then you will, most likely, not use the capabilities of the client that is making a request to its fullest.
This will limit the quality of the online experience the user may have.
Generally speaking, you will have to use content adaptation to cater specifically to the cababilities of a particular device.

However, not everyone has that ability.
As such we want to caution authors not use a LCD approach by default, if they could do better.

Regards,
Kai

> -----Original Message-----
> From: public-bpwg-comments-request@w3.org 
> [mailto:public-bpwg-comments-request@w3.org] On Behalf Of 
> West, Mark Andrew
> Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 4:23 PM
> To: public-bpwg-comments@w3.org
> Subject: Problem with capabilities guideline (5.1.2)
> 
> 
> I have read the current draft of the Best Practices document. 
>  Overall it is a good summation of all the guidelines (esp. 
> OpenWave) I have been using under the Mobile Development 
> Project at Ball State University Libraries.
> 
> While I have a few minor problems with the guidelines (GIF 
> really ought to be put on pension since most mobile Web 
> browsers can handle PNG), I take issue with the capabilities 
> guideline (5.1.2):  "Do not take a least common denominator approach."
> 
> As the mobile developer, my primary concern is to make 
> library information and services available to the largest 
> number of mobile users.  I started with no knowledge of 
> mobile devices; with a clunky development environment 
> (IIS/Visual Studio/FrontPage); and with a vague idea of what 
> devices were in use on campus.  (Several attempts at an 
> online survey of mobile devices fell flat.)  Nonetheless I 
> have created a mobile Web site for the University Libraries, 
> that looks and works perfectly well using a strategy that the 
> Best Practices document has labelled "least common denominator".
> 
> Perhaps you can add a "How To Do It" section under the 
> capabilities guideline, or at least explain why following a 
> LCD approach could result in a lesser experience for mobile users.
> 
> The University Libraries mobile Web site is 
> http://www.bsu.edu/libraries/mobile/.
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------
> Andy West
> University Libraries ... A destination for research, 
> learning, and friends
> Microcomputer/Systems/Network Analyst   v: 765 285-8032
> Ball State University                   f: 765 285-1096
> Muncie, IN 47306                        e: mawest2@bsu.edu 
> 
> The University Libraries provide services that support 
> student pursuits for academic success and faculty endeavors 
> for knowledge creation and classroom instruction.
> 
> http://www.bsu.edu/library (Web Site)
> 
> 
>

Received on Tuesday, 25 April 2006 07:44:23 UTC