Re: [csswg-drafts] Let’s Define CSS 4 (#4770)

If I may chime in purely as a user of these technologies (and no expert by any means), having a clear new numbered standard would help immensely.

I have long since fallen behind on what is or isn't current in CSS, no doubt mixing outdated stuff along with a sprinkling of new in my code. But I'd like to sit down and re-group myself - learn what is current, and what I should let go. But trying to work out which books, tutorials and blog posts are a) current b) not too bleeding edge that I can't use it - is a daunting prospect. I'm sure there is a way but having the label "CSS4" meaning "current and usable on most modern browsers (ok yes, realistically with a few caveats that are  being worked through)" would have me buy new books and read new articles - and so actually adopt the new technologies, whilst letting the old ones go to rest. Rather than just sitting on the things "I know work". That surely is good for the web? 

That's what the numbers did for me before. Yes it is a marketing term - but I think that should be embraced. The number should indicate to the wider audience that this is ready to use. Some will cry that it misses out on the latest developments, and maybe even encourages developers to rest on old standards rather than keep up with the new. But we are doing that already! Not all of us have the time to keep up with current events, and so rely on the number bump to give them a kick. I wager that not having "CSS4" keeps many using "the CSS3 they know" which does not include much/any of the new stuff. The excitement of the new release and learning path would likely make people go back and rewrite old stuff, pushing things forward further.

And yes, if I were a full time web developer then perhaps by not keeping up I'm resting on my laurels and so deserve any problems I get.... but I'm sure the web is built by more than just full time web developers. And indeed I'm sure it is also built by some full time web developers who are really busy and just want to easily know what is what!

-- 
GitHub Notification of comment by cosmicvibes
Please view or discuss this issue at https://github.com/w3c/csswg-drafts/issues/4770#issuecomment-589651663 using your GitHub account

Received on Friday, 21 February 2020 13:25:12 UTC