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The Abdication of the HTML Standard

Posted by Soulskill on from the caught-between-corporate-juggernauts dept.

GMGruman writes "The end of numbering for HTML versions beyond HTML5 hides two painful realities, argues Neil McAllister. One is that the HTML standards process has failed, becoming a seemingly never-ending bureaucratic maze that has encouraged the proliferation of draft implementations. That's not great, but as all the wireless draft standards have shown, it can be managed. But the bigger problem is that HTML has effectively been abandoned to four companies: Apple, Google, Opera, and Mozilla. They are deciding the actual fate of HTML, not a truly independent standards process."

6 of 298 comments (clear)

  1. Eh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    HTML has effectively been abandoned to four companies: Apple, Google, Opera, and Mozilla.

    And Microsoft is where?

    Their Internet Explorer is used by most Internet users today ( http://marketshare.hitslink.com/browser-market-share.aspx?qprid=0 )

    1. Re:Eh? by johnnysaucepn · · Score: 2, Informative

      Microsoft haven't been active in developing the latest version of HTML5, while the others have. That's all they mean - it's no reflection of the size of the company or their reach to customers, but in their work on the standard.

    2. Re:Eh? by KingMotley · · Score: 4, Informative

      They are still there. The article just fails to mention them. Microsoft has contributed a LOT to the HTML 5 specification process. A very large number of test cases were submitted by them, and they contribute during the discussions as well. It's just the author obviously has a very anti-microsoft bias. And for the purposes of the article, the lack of any one company doesn't really matter the principle remains the same.

  2. What's with all the hate? by graveyhead · · Score: 3, Informative

    Last I checked, anyone could submit ideas, corrections, feature requests *RIGHT THERE ON THE HTML5 WORKING DRAFT*. "Feedback Comments" right at the top of http://www.w3.org/TR/html5/

    Now, if they ignore your idea, that's almost certainly because it sucks and is badly written. No really, it does suck. Follow the instructions there *carefully*, really think about this feature or tag or whatever you're requesting, and your ideas will get consideration.

    --
    std::disclaimer<std::legalese> sig=new std::disclaimer; sig->dump(); delete sig;
  3. Re:HTML *was* simple by Rui+Lopes · · Score: 5, Informative

    Remember when it was ok to use a "b" tag, and no one scoffed? How about table layouts? It's funny, the new standards aren't always better.

    1. 1) Download the NVDA screenreader
    2. 2) Learn about the problems induced with your comment
    3. 3) Spread the word!

    If you still think it's actually not better, sorry, but you should have 10 blind persons hit you with their canes...

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    var sig = function() { sig(); }
  4. Re:Those Who Ship Win by gig · · Score: 5, Informative

    It's nothing like Word get a grip.

    Apple created canvas, submitted to W3C, Mozilla submitted changes, canvas was standardized, then Apple invested significant engineerig resources into changing their canvas implementation to match the standard.

    If you want an academic standard with no real world use, XHTML 2 is available for your masturbatory needs. The Web needs a practical HTML standard that documents how you DO write HTML, not how you theoretically SHOULD write HTML.