Re: Layout Revision Proposal: CSS and then some

On Mon, 24 Nov 1997, Jon Wallis wrote:

> www-multimedia@w3.org, 
> 
> On 23 Nov 97, you wrote:
> 
> > I think it is a reasonable assumption that the majority of content
> > developers have at least some design background, and their
> > expectations of their tools will reflect this background.  
> 
> With respect, this is a very dangerous and naive assumption.  The 
> very history of the web shows this.  Originally HTML was aimed at 
> people who wanted to *structure* information (i.e., use it 
> properly).  Then it got (ab)used by a far greater number of people 
> who wanted layout/presentation control. 

Some might even say 'destroyed' - the original thought was that
*everyone* should be able to see the content, regardless of computer
platform, resolution device, browser type etc.  Then came too many
with a design background, a design background for printed works, not
the electronic world. And rather than learning how the web worked they
tried to twist it into the printed page, leading to the rather
ridiculous notes on pages "This page must be viewed in this or that
resolution, with this or that font, and with this or that browsers"
*BONG* Sorry webmaster, you just flunked.

Received on Monday, 24 November 1997 13:34:45 UTC