Re: Balancing the myth-busting.

On Tue, Aug 09, 2005 at 08:18:02PM +0100, Gez Lemon wrote:

> I obviously disagree. I'm not saying there is a fool-proof method of
> checking for validity, but I think there is room for improvement.

The other issue is that once you go down the road of testing for
client side DOM manipulation you enter the realm of people assuming
that the code that handles such manipulation is near perfect - which
is possibly even more dangerous.
 
> > Users can input data (e.g. cookies, query string) before the document
> > is loaded.
> 
> And the problem with that is? The query string could be picked up by
> the validator.

Assuming its distributed over HTTP ....

> If the query string, or any other type of input such as
> cookies, is missing, then the script should cater for it. If it
> doesn't, it needs flagging as an error.

Aren't we talking about badly written scripts? Its pushing things a
little to expect badly written scripts to have good recovery from
unexpected input (or lack there of).

> > No, we would both like to see the problem addressed, just by different
> > ways. You appear to think that technology can solve the problem of
> > users not understanding what the tools they use are for, I think that
> > education is the only sensible way.
> 
> I think technology could be improved, but also strongly believe that
> education is important. Please don't put words in my mouth, as I
> wouldn't do that to you.

You already have done so this evening.

> > > And that can only be done through education

> > That statement contradicts the rest of your claims.
 
> How? Have I stated anywhere that education isn't important? 

I apologise, I mistook your statement in response to:

   "No, users of it need to understand what it does and what the
    results actually mean."

... as implicit agreement with my POV..

-- 
David Dorward                                      http://dorward.me.uk

Received on Tuesday, 9 August 2005 19:34:28 UTC