The WHATTF have
today decided to reveal our plans for HTML6. The objective is to rewrite HTML5
based off the new ISO standard OOXML specification
as the serialization. The architectural model will adhere to the principle of
separation of semantics from presentation using RDF for semantics and XSL-FO
for presentation. An XML Schema will be provided for semantic validation.
Advantages:
- Over 90% market penetration (almost all, if not all, users own an Office
suite);
- Backwards compatibility. Since the new HTML6 will have OOXML as the serialization,
all OOXML implementations of today will be able to accurately render HTML6.
- Easy migration. Using a fairly simplistic XSLT style sheet, all developers
will be able to convert their HTML4 documents into HTML6, and vice-versa.
- Ready for the enterprise. Thanks to XSLT and GRDDL, mapping the over-the-wire
OOXML data to the RDF/XSL-FO model will be trivial. This approach gives the
best of both worlds: While OOXML provides compatibility for entry-level applications,
the RDF/XSL-FO-based architectural model integrates with the enterprise-strength
backplane for rich applications.
- WS-* integration. XML Schema provides for binding with SOAP-based intermediation
solutions.
We firmly believe that new HTML version should maintain backwards compatibility
and specification writers must not reinvent the wheel. We've come to the conclusion
that the OOXML specification adheres to these goals, making life easier for
everyone: users, developers, implementors and spec writers
More details will follow soon.
Posted in WHATWG | 7 Comments »
html5lib 0.9 is now available for your parsing pleasure.
html5lib is an implementation of the WHATWG HTML parsing algorithm in Python and released under a MIT-license It enables malformed HTML to be parsed into standard minidom and ElementTree structures,in a way that is highly compatible with the behavior of major desktop web browsers. As well as parsing to trees html5lib contains a DOM to SAX converter; it is hoped that by supporting these standard APIs, toolchains based on draconian XML parsers can be repurposed to process HTML content with minimal effort.
In addition to the HTML parsing capability, html5lib 0.9 contains an experimental liberal XML parser based on the WHATWG algorithm without the HTML-specific error handling. This is suitable for parsing XML from sources that cannot guarantee wellformedness; e.g. web feeds.
The 0.9 release is expected to be the last major release before 1.0 and no new features will be added before 1.0 is released. Instead we will work on any remaining correctness issues, other bugs, and on improving the messages reported when parse errors are encountered. Bug reports are very much appreciated. Users or people looking to get involved are encouraged to join the mailing list or visit the #WHATWG channel on freenode.net
Posted in WHATWG | 2 Comments »
this post refers to the "Write" interface from WordPress utilized to post comments to WHATWG blogs.
there is well-intentioned, but mis-implemented markup in the edit form; namely, improper implemetation of the FIELDSET.
for a proper FIELDSET, one needs to do 4 things:
- open the
FIELDSET (which this form does)
- define a
LEGEND for the FIELDSET (which this form does NOT); the natural candidates for LEGEND are the level 3 headers (H3) classed dbx-handle so instead of repeatedly hearing "click to open this box", i would also get the pseudo-box (which i would call sub-forms) LEGEND as an indicator of what i am about to open or close. i would also make the alt text device independent - instead of "click here to open this box", i would propose "show sub-form" and "hide sub-form"
- bind individual
FORM controls to their textual labels by use of the LABEL element and the for/id mechanism that ties the form control (which takes the "id") to a LABEL (which takes the "for") or multiple labels; the LABEL should contain the actual, textual label, and NOT the FORM control, as in this form; this form has the attribute set set correctly to bind the LABEL to the FORM control, but since the LABEL element is opened PRIOR to the INPUT element, no labeling is available to the user - in my case (i use a screen-reader) the sub-forms that appear when one opens a FIELDSET to reveal a FORM appear unlabeled to my screenreader, because of invalid markup.
- close the
FIELDSET (which this form does)
Posted in Forms, WHATWG | 10 Comments »
The W3C today publicly announced that they are restarting an HTML specification effort. This is great news and a clear validation of the WHATWG effort, which has been leading the maintenance and development of HTML since 2004.
Surprisingly, the W3C never actually contacted the WHATWG during the chartering process. However, the WHATWG model has clearly had some influence on the creation of this group, and the charter says that the W3C will try to "actively pursue convergence with WHATWG". Hopefully they will get in contact soon.
In the meantime, apparently anyone can actually join the W3C effort. The instructions to join the group are as follows:
- Fill in the Public Access Request Form; in the "Reason" field, put: "To apply for participation in the HTML Working Group as an Invited Expert."
- Within about five minutes you'll receive a confirmation code by e-mail. Follow the instructions in that e-mail.
- You should get a reply back from that within two days, giving you a username and password. Fill in the W3C Invited Expert Application form. Under "Financial Support", if you're not going to attend any meetings or if you're going to attend meetings on your own dime, just put "Self-supported". Under "Possible W3C Membership", if you're employed but your employer doesn't know you're doing this, or doesn't care, just pick "My employer does not intend to join".
- E-mail Dan Connolly and
Karl DubostMike Smith ([email protected], [email protected][email protected]) asking for approval. (Just say "Hi, I'd like to join the HTML working group. Thanks.") - You should get a reply back within about ten days, at which point you can fill in the Joining the HTML Working Group form.
I would encourage everyone interested in working with the HTML working group to go through these steps as soon as possible, so that you will be a member of the group before the work starts.
Joining the group doesn't commit you to anything (e.g. you won't have to attend meetings or anything if you don't want to). The group's charter clearly says that all decisions will be made in ways that don't require attending meetings.
This post has been updated a few times to take into account new information about how to join the group.
Posted in WHATWG | 21 Comments »
Last month, I did a presentation on the future of HTML at the WSG meeting in Sydney. For those of you who couldn't make it, or those who wish to hear it again, I have finally got around to publishing the slides, audio recording and transcript.
Posted in WHATWG | Comments Off on The Future of HTML Presentation Slides