Writings about JavaScript/Ajax

  • SVG in HTML
    09/11/2009 - 12:54
    Effects

    I'm writing an article on using SVG for site decoration and backgrounds. Since SVG is now allowed in HTML via HTML5, it seemed a good time to introduce people to the concept. Especially since the nightly build of Firefox 3.7 has a configuration option ("about:configure") where you can enable HTML5.

    To test the new option in the Firefox nightly, I created a simple file, with a SVG red circle that can be resized with script. (HTML5 version and XHTML version).

  • Gracefully Upgrading
    02/10/2009 - 10:32
    Accessibility

    I am reminded in comments of Steve Champeon's progressive enhancement, which I actually did cover in my book, "Adding Ajax". My apologies to Steve for seeming to subvert his subversion of all browsers look the same. I tend to think of Steve's progressive enhancement in light of the use of JavaScript, but it is also focused at design, too. And, I am embarrassed to admit, I forgot about the concept when I started to write up what I've done with my site designs. Blame it on enthusiasm, or advancing age—take your pick.

    However, if the concept is so popular with web designers, I have to wonder why every time I mention the use of SVG in web design, I'm met with "Oh, but not every browser supports SVG"? Perhaps IE has become, over time, a handy excuse for not trying something new.

    Regardless, the idea of starting plain, and upgrading gracefully did originate with Steve.

  • The jParallax Library
    01/14/2009 - 16:53
    Effects

    Every once in a while, something comes along that is so well executed, it makes you want to jump up and down. That's what the jParallax library, and the wonderful demos did for me.

    Don't take my word for it. You have to check out the library and demos yourself. No, you really have to.

    (Thanks for the link, Michael.)

  • Progressive Enhancement and Graceful Degradation
    10/07/2008 - 08:59
    Basics

    A List Apart has a timely article titled Understanding Progressive Enhancement discussing the perceptual differences between graceful degradation and progressive enhancement. I enjoyed seeing Steve Champeon's idea given new light. Additionally, now is as good a time as any to have a go at these topics, with the many new enhancements being added to today's browsers, while antiques still cutter cyberspace. I could have done without the cloyingly cute M & M analogy in the article, but that's probably my inner Cranky Woman having a go this AM.

    I've written about graceful degradation, previously. Graceful degradation means applying modern technology but ensuring the application doesn't negatively effect those viewing a web site with an Antique (remaining nameless). However, contrary to the ALA author's statement of Under this paradigm, older browsers are expected to have a poor, but passable experience, graceful degradation is just that: gracefully degrading, meaning that though the person using the Antique doesn't get all the bells or whistles, their experience at the site is more than "poor but passable".

    Progressive enhancement, on the other hand, begins with the content, rather than the technology; ensuring that the markup used to organize the content is semantically correct and valid. Then, and only then, the web site developer progresses to the use of CSS and JavaScript, both to annotate and enhance the content. That's been the primary difference between the two approaches: graceful degradation tends to focus on technology, first, while progressive enhancement focuses on content, first.

  • The Ajax Experience
    10/01/2008 - 09:40
    General Ajax

    The Expert Panel session at the Ajax Experience conference should be an interesting experience for one and all. I wonder if there will be an automated device that senses the blood pressure of the participants, and automatically sprays safety foam between them, if need be?

    I did want to reassure one and all that though the Ajax Experience conference is almost exclusively male, we women do work with Ajax technologies and even publish libraries and tutorials for others to use. Of course, we're typically ignored when we do provide code, libraries, or tutorials, but still—no matter how many walls the guys put up, we seep through.