Re: Verbosity of XHTML 2

lach@illuminosity.net wrote:-

<<a) If a user agent supports XHTML 2.0 then it will know about these 
fixed attributes and it won't matter.>>

Fair point

<<If a user-agent doesn't know XHTML 2.0 but knows XML it should be 
able to retrieve the DTD and use that...>>

Also a good point

<<But really... who is going to use a user agent that doesn't support 
xhtml to view xhtml 2.0?>>

A developer/author may link to an XHTML 2.0 document within an older version 
of HTML.  The user viewing that HTML page may not be equipped with a browser 
that will support XHTML 2.0, or even XML.  Browsers do not struggle with 
XHTML 1.1, for example, because it is backwards-compatible with HTML (which 
they all understand, for the most part ::rolls eyes::).

<<Also, I don't believe that the namespaces will confuse authors. 
Introduce it to them by saying you just use xlink:href instead of href. 
Then later on when they're used to those basic uses you can explain to 
them what they are and point out how easy they are since the person has 
already been using them. And anyone who doesn't understand namespaces 
probably won't be using XHTML 2.0 for a while anyway>>

I mostly agree with this.  I make use of XHTML 1.1 for my pages and I 
hand-write all my code.  I have no knowledge of namespaces so an 
implementation such as the one Lach suggests will make it easier on the likes 
of me.  However, I would disagree with your last point.  I fully intend to 
make use of XHTML 2.0 as soon as possible, providing it is an appropriate 
markup language.  I prefer to embrace new, improved techniques wherever 
possible so that I might contribute to the goal of getting people to upgrade 
their browsers more often.

Simon Jessey
e: <A HREF="mailto:scjessey@aol.com">scjessey@aol.com</A>
w: <A HREF="http://jessey.net/">jessey.net</A>