#30468
Introducing JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format. It is easy for humans to read and write. It is easy for machines to parse and generate. It is based on a subset of the JavaScript Programming Language, Standard ECMA-262 3rd Edition - December 1999. JSON is a text format that is completely language independent but uses conventions that are familiar to programmers of the C-family of languages, including C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Perl, Python, and many others. These properties make JSON an ideal data-interchange language.
JSON (2007). Articles>Information Design>Standards>Ajax
#18755
The benefits of transforming HTML from a stand-alone language into an XML version of itself aren't immediately apparent until you understand the inherent value of XML. Since the language syntax is so strict in XML, parsers (the software that reads and understands the code you write) are a lot easier to develop. Ultimately, it will allow browsers to become smaller, faster, and more stable. It also means your code will behave in a far more predictable way: Either something will work, or you will get an error. It will be a marked difference from the voodoo we experience across multiple browsers today.
Veen, Jeffrey. Webmonkey (1999). Design>Web Design>Standards>XHTML
#28451
Introduction to CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a smart way to add styling information to web pages. While it's possible to add styling to HTML (e.g. using the tag) HTML should only be used to structure your content, CSS is the only way you should apply styling.
Hunt, Ben. Web Design From Scratch (2006). Design>Web Design>Standards>CSS
#11725
An Introduction to Dynamic HTML (DHTML)
The intranet and Internet is an ever evolving environment, and Web pages themselves are steadily blooming from static displays of data to interactive applications. 'Dynamic HTML' is an umbrella term encompassing several ways in which Web developers can breathe life into pages which have traditionally been still portraits of information.
Weiss, Aaron. Intranet Journal. Design>Web Design>Standards>DHTML
#28181
We seem to be heading in the right direction. The danger is that we keep talking to one another rather than evangelizing to a broader community.
Hackos, JoAnn T. Center for Information-Development Management (2005). Articles>Documentation>Standards>DITA
#24957
ISO Procedure Development: Using Kickoff Meetings as a Project Management Tool 
ISO procedure manuals are sophisticated, dynamic documents that are developed as the result of a complex process. This panel focuses on an often overlooked but critical aspect of project management—the kickoff meeting. Kickoff meetings bring together all the key people and issues from the beginning, thus mitigating rework and problems later in the project. Kickoff meetings can be used to introduce and manage the ISO procedure development process: empowering the ISO procedure-development team, gathering information to capture best practice, and reviewing and validating information.
McCulley, Stephanie and Janice J. Rowan. STC Proceedings (1994). Careers>Project Management>Standards
#23668
The Issue of Archiving and Obsolescence
We can be almost certain that CDs will be obsolete in about five years. But what should we do about it?
Pinkham, Gordon. MetroVoice (2004). Articles>TC>Technology>Standards
#21114
The IUSR Project: Industry USability Report
This document is an overview of the Industry USability Report (IUSR)) Project. The IUSR Project is designed to help potential purchasers of software obtain information about the usability of supplier products.
#22556
The JDF standard is expected to revolutionize the printing industry. It's come a long way, but there still is work to be done.
Bury, Scott. PennWell (2004). Design>Publishing>Standards>Printing
#25651
This page presents a brief description of how JPEG compresses images. JPEG, unlike other formats like PPM, PGM, and GIF, is a lossy compression technique; this means visual information is lost permanently. The key to making JPEG work is choosing what data to throw away.
Society for Imaging Science and Technology, The. Articles>Graphic Design>Standards
#30888
Keeping Your Elements' Kids in Line with Offspring
CSS selectors are handy things. They make coding CSS easier, sure, but they can also help keep your markup clean.
Bischoff, Alex. List Apart, A (2008). Articles>Web Design>Standards>CSS
#21537
The following resources provide a quick link to numerous WaSP and other resources related to web standards.
#21535
Legal Color Names in HTML 4 and XHTML
There are sixteen (16) legal color names for use in HTML 4.x and XHTML. Any other color name is a browser-specific name and cannot be used in conforming HTML 4.x and XHTML documents.
#25469
As a fundamental part of the Web, hypertext linking has been the subject of repeated attempts at standardization beyond the basic format allowed in simple HTML. Such attempts can be characterized as efforts to balance machine processing ability with authoring convenience. The latest specification in this area, XHTML 2.0, just might have gotten it right.
Dubinko, Micah. IBM (2005). Articles>Web Design>Standards>XHTML
#28086
Makes the case for DITA and provides a compare-and-contrast of DITA and DocBook.
Dumbill, Edd. Intercom (2006). Articles>Documentation>Standards>DITA
#22481
Making Guidelines Part of the Team
Guidelines. We seem to have a love-hate relationship with them. At the same time we construct them, we worry they’ll come back to haunt us. How did guidelines get such a bad reputation?
Rabourn, Tanya. Boxes and Arrows (2004). Design>Web Design>Style Guides>Standards
#24086
There's a lot of confusion about what MPEG-4 is and isn't, just as there are many questions as to what it's going to be used for.
Waggoner, Ben. 3Dgate (2001). Design>Multimedia>Video>Standards
#25461
Mark it up with Groovy Builders
Groovy Builders let you mimic markup languages like XML, HTML, Ant tasks, and even GUIs with frameworks like Swing.They're especially useful for rapid prototyping and, as Practically Groovy columnist Andrew Glover shows you this month, they're a handy alternative to data binding frameworks when you need consumable markup in a snap!
Glover, Andrew. IBM (2005). Articles>Information Design>Standards
#21952
Multiple-master fonts - what they are, how they work, and what they can do for you.
Tinkel, Kathleen. Adobe Magazine (1995). Design>Typography>Standards
#28207
Microformats are markup that allow expression of semantics in an HTML document. Microformats are designed for humans first and machines second, and are a set of simple, open data formats built upon existing and widely adopted web standards.
O'Gribin, Niall. Erigena (2006). Articles>Information Design>Standards>HTML
#27673
Migrating from HTML to XHTML and XML - Part I
This is the first part of a two-part article describing a detailed methodology for migrating HTML files to the structure and flexibility of XHTML and/or XML. By using XHTML to add structure and separate content from presentation, you'll be better positioned for a move to XML. Even if you never move to XML, your XHTML files will be easier to create and maintain, and will be more accessible.
James-Tanny, Char. WritersUA (2006). Design>Web Design>Standards>XHTML
#27639
Migrating from HTML to XHTML and XML - Part II
This is the second part of a two-part article describing a detailed methodology for migrating HTML files to the structure and flexibility of XHTML and/or XML.
James-Tanny, Char. WritersUA (2006). Articles>Web Design>Standards>XHTML
#25642
Discusses the need for custom DTDs: why making a custom DTD for the sole purpose of validation is a mistake, and in which cases it does make sense to create and use one. For these cases, this article will also present techniques for creating clean custom DTDs and avoiding hacks.
W3C Quality Assurance Team. List Apart, A (2005). Design>Web Design>Standards>XML
#26308
DocBook is a powerful tool for creating and maintaining documentation. However, there are a number of factors you should consider before you move your documentation to DocBook. This article discusses reasons for and against making the switch to DocBook.
Nesbitt, Scott. ScottNesbitt.net (2002). Articles>Documentation>Standards>DocBook
#20229
Håkon Lie, the father of Style Sheets and CTO of Opera, debunks Microsoft’s claim that web standards have anything to do with the blocking of Opera and Mozilla users from MSN.com. Lie’s eye–opening commentary includes a chart analyzing all 63 top–level pages at MSN.com in terms of standards compliance.
Lie, Hakon. List Apart, A (2001). Design>Web Design>Standards
