Re: [Moderator Action] HTML5 objection

On 5 Dec 2011, at 3:35 AM, Leo Niehorster wrote:

> Dear Sirs,
> 
> I wish to log my protest regarding a specific feature the new HTML 5 (experimental), namely the removal of the <FONT> tag.
> 
> I see no benefit of having to use CSS instead of HTML for this purpose. CSS seems to be counter to the original purpose of HTML of being easily learned by many as it closely resembles English, as opposed CSS which is a difficult-to-learn programming language understandable by few.
> 
> And think of the millions of website pages that will have to be redone. (I have a mere 5000+).
> 

Hello Leo,

The <font> element [1] has been deprecated [2] since 1997, with "deprecated" meaning:

 "A deprecated element or attribute is one that has been outdated by newer constructs. Deprecated elements are defined in the reference manual in appropriate locations, but are clearly marked as deprecated. Deprecated elements may become obsolete in future versions of HTML."

So it should come as no surprise that in HTML5 the group has decided to remove the element.

There are many good reasons to use CSS instead of <font> in terms of maintainability and control.

I appreciate you observation that CSS may be complicated. However, for the particular purpose of specifying fonts I think the complexity is managable, and that property is well-supported.

You are free to petition the HTML Working Group on his point, please see the instructions for doing so:
 http://www.w3.org/html/wg/

Ian

[1] http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/present/graphics.html#edef-FONT
[2] http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/conform.html#deprecated

> Leo Niehorster
> 
>  
> - - - - -
> Information not passed on is lost.
> http://niehorster.orbat.com/index.htm

--
Ian Jacobs (ij@w3.org)    http://www.w3.org/People/Jacobs/
Tel:                                      +1 718 260 9447

Received on Monday, 5 December 2011 14:19:14 UTC