Re: A Compromise to the Versioning Debate

Bruce, et al.,
I did not mean for my comment to be construed as a license to 
proliferate new elements. I meant only to urge those so inclined to not 
speak ill of those less well-informed, and well-skilled, than the 
members of this list.

I completely agree with you, Bruce about the maintenance of simplicity. 
This is one of the great appeals of HTML and has been from the first. 
Very few people read the actual specs. They simply pick up the tool box 
and go to work. (CSS has yet to be accepted in such a light--lol. But it 
may yet happen!)

Clair

Bruce Boughton wrote:
> cadunn wrote:
>> I think we simply need to accept that the Internet *is* the great 
>> level playing field. Let's not further bury "Some mute, inglorious 
>> Milton..." by ignoring her or him. IMO such disparagement of folks 
>> who do not possess the highest of "geek" skills is really beneath 
>> what should be a fundamental approach to anything that deals broadly 
>> with web specifications. Reaching a level of supreme ability in the 
>> chaos of browsers and bugs, and the intricacies of CSS/HTML/XHTML, 
>> etc. should make us humble, rather than arrogant.
>>
>> If we accept that basic spirit of free and total access, then of 
>> course there will be "all kinds". Just accept this and get on with 
>> delivering what makes the most sense for all.
>>
>> Thanks, Anne---
>>
>> Clair
>>
>
> Indeed, but this should not be a free pass for introducing new 
> elements into the spec without discussing their merits.  I believe 
> that one of HTML's primary advantages is its simplicity*.  If we 
> introduce too many new elements we run the risk of making it harder 
> for authors of any skill level to choose the most appropriate 
> element.  This is not to say that we shouldn't introduce new elements, 
> just that we should make sure that each has a clear use case which is 
> unambiguous.
>
> Bruce
>
>
> * It is simple to produce a document that looks mostly right.  It can 
> be hard to get it absolutely correct, but for most people this is enough.

Received on Tuesday, 17 April 2007 07:06:21 UTC