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XHTML Week 1 Review Questions and Answers

1. Even though the W3C can only recommend standards, we know that they are important. Briefly describe what you perceive as the important reason(s) to follow the W3C guidelines.

• I believe the number one reason to follow the W3C guidelines is cross platform compatability. The W3C has performed extensive research and continues to do so on different platforms and then sets the standards based on their findings. It behooves us to adopt these standards if we wish to create uniform websites that can be viewed through different platforms.
• I believe one important issue that we often overlook is accessibility. These new XHTML standards help with this issue. Screen Readers and other types of programs can now produce the intended information through these strict set of standards.
• The bottom line is that if you are serious about web development, then you will need to stick with these standards set forth by the W3C in order to always have the latest and greatest technology in web applications compliance.

2. Name five differences between HTML and XHTML.

• Documents must include a DTD and an XML namespace.
• Documents must be well-formed, meaning all elements must have an opening and closing tag.
• Element and attribute names must be lowercase.
• Empty elements must have an end tag or use a combination start/end tag.
• Attribute values must be quoted.

3. What does XHTML allow you to do that HTML doesn't? How could this be beneficial to your Web site?

• It allows you to make a markup compliant website that can be viewed across multiple browser platforms including mobile devices which will have trouble with regular old HTML.
• XHTML bridges the gap between HTML and XML giving you an easier opportunity to move forward with Markup technology as it moves toward XML.
• XHTML produces a solid structure in which to properly build a website in which CSS can be used. No longer do you have to be restricted to the limited design features that HTML offered.
• The benefit of using XHTML over HTML is the ability to make a website that is first of all "accessible" and then will comply with all new browser platforms that will be introduced now and in the future.
• HTML is too restrictive.

4. What, in your opinion, are some difficulties Web authors face in designing across platforms and browsers? How could XHTML help in this area?

• In my own opinion, when using HTML, the largest problem I have always been faced with, is how browsers have rendered my work. I have in fact, created two separate websites before just to get them to view properly and then inserted code to detect which browser the user was using, and then it would send them to the proper site.
• Accessibility is a very large issue with HTML as many screen readers can't interpret the tags. XHTML fixes this problem!
• I believe that XHTML written properly, can reduce webpage loading time significantly verses writing and designing with HTML.
• If we can't move on and continue authoring in HTML, then we will be severely hindered with compliance in our markup as time ventures to the use of XML. XHTML is bridging this gap for us and for those that see this and take action now, will ultimately be ahead of the game and be able to stay up with technology in web authoring, the right way!

XHTML Week 1 Project Assignment