Sponsor: The JavaScript Anthology
The JavaScript Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks (external link)
Browse Blog Archives
« July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 »
Blog Entries from August 2005
-
Recovery of Microsoft Internet Explorer
NetApplications (keeping track of stats for an estimate of 40,000 websites) reports that Internet Explorer has somewhat recovered from the never-ending downwards spiral it seemed to be in these last few months. User base was moving away from this browser, which hasn't been updated for years.
Mozilla Firefox's market share became as high as nearly 10%, but now IE strikes back and Firefox's market share has decreased to 8.07% compared to 8.71% in June.
Internet Explorer went from 86.56% to 87.2%. Safari grew a bit towards 2.13%, but Opera (0.49%) and Mozilla SeaMonkey (0.52%) remained constant.
Statistics of this kind are not to be put much worth upon, but it might be that Firefox's update process which now and then simply get rid of your data, gives Firefox the blow. Hopefully this will all be fixed in Firefox 1.5.
-
No Nonsense XML
No Nonsense XML Web Development With PHP (external link) arrived at my doorstep late last week. This good sized book marks my first PHP book and an exciting new adventure for me. XML Web Development has always interested me, but finding quality resources for that area of programming can be difficult.
I've read through the first few chapters, and I'm hoping to finish the book this week. There is a ton of useful information within the first few chapters, but it looks like the PHP/XML work comes later in the book.
In the past XML work was quite confusing with PHP's SAX functions not providing the easiest way to process XML, and the DOM XML functions not cutting it. PHP5 changed the world of XML development with revised DOM functions and SimpleXML. Even though we have the more powerful methods of XML processing, most application developers cannot use them as web host just refuse to update their PHP installation.
PHP5 is not unstable, as webhost claim. I run PHP5 perfectly on my home computer without any problems, along with all of the other latest technologies. I think that this shows the dependability of webhost on automatic setup software.
Until webhost upgrade their systems, SAX will remain the best way to process XML files. Although it ends up looking like long twisted code, it works in both PHP4 and PHP5.
If you're interested in XML and PHP development you should take a look at the sample chapters (external link).
-
How Not To Use JavaScript
The other day I was browsing around Hewlett Packard's website (external link) for a printer driver that would work with my Mac. I never did find the driver, but I don't blame them as the printer is ancient. While browsing I switched tabs for a moment to test the usability of a system I was working on that used "unobtrusive" JavaScript. I turned off Javascript in my browser. After messing around a bit with some coding to compensate for lack of JavaScript support, I switched back to my HP tab.
I instantly saw that the layout was destroyed. All of the coloring and structure was completely discombobulated. I turned on Javascript and saw that the layout again worked. This odd dependency on JavaScript puzzled me, because I've never heard of a designer using JavaScript to do that much in a layout.
Hewlett Packard's use of JavaScript is a fine example of how you shouldn't code. Relying on JavaScript that much for a design to properly function has its gigantic pitfalls. Internet Explorer lacks support for the modern uses of JavaScript (DOM) and many users turn off JavaScript, believing that everything malicious revolves around it.
JavaScript has lied dormant for a few years, when the "Wow, I can move things," coolness factor wore off. Once the wide spread rumor among non-web developers that JavaScript is what hackers use to harm your computer, JavaScript usage considerably dropped. It was too risky to depend a lot on JavaScript for your website.
Due to the lack of Internet Explorer 6's support for truly customizing your JavaScript experience, most users just turn it off. Opera and Firefox users are able to control their cookies and JS preferences quite easily. Recently, Javascript usage has increased as the development of DOM and DHTML take off.
2005 was marked the year of DOM (external link) by many web developers, as the progression of CSS is on hold until CSS3. JavaScript should be used in an "unobtrusive" method, allowing users without the support to still use your website. Hewlett Packard's scripting was completely unusable.
Remember when you're designing webpages, use JavaScript at a point where it only enhances your page. Have a good weekend and code properly!
-
Mozilla Incorporates
The Mozilla Foundation today announced its reorganization (external link) forming the Mozilla Corporation. This will operate alongside the current Mozilla Foundation. This newly incorporated business will be in charge of marketing the many Mozilla products.
From a user standpoint I don't think that anyone will be affected by this for some time. The problem with open source and a commercial business is that they're always after money. Incorporating a business, unless non-profit, is always in a venture for profit. How long will it be until Firefox is no longer free?
When a non-profit group incorporates it is usually its downfall, and usually because some power and money hungry person has made their way to the top. The Mozilla Foundation has always done an excellent job at marketing their products, there was no reason to incorporate.
I can see this becoming a Redhat situation - where they have the free Firefox that is constantly updated and used as testing grounds for a corporate product. Then they have a corporate version that usually is quite expensive, but a quality product.
How will the Mozilla Corporation receive any fundings? While they've seem to leave this unclear, the Mozilla Foundation still receives many gracious donations – a probable area for fundings.
Why the purpose of incorporating still seems extremely unclear, I'm hoping that Mozilla didn't stab themselves by reorganizing. Even though I'm not a Firefox user, I liked the product and I don't want to see a greedy corporation ruin it.
-
Mighty Mouse to the Rescue!
One downside that people always find when they purchase a Mac is that the included Apple mice are always one button. Most users end up upgrading to a two button mouse sometime in their Mac life. Thanks to Apple this is no longer necessary.
Apple has finally revealed a powerful "mighty" mouse with every feature imaginable in your input device. The mouse still features a one button design using sensitive touch sensors to determine click input. The Mighty Mouse's design not only is slick, but is practical.
This $50 mouse not only features two buttons, but a scroll wheel, roll button, and side buttons. All of these are touch sensitive and keep your mouse free of "button clutter." All of the features of the mighty mouse are customizable for OS X Tiger users. Another great feature of this new mouse is the ability to program an action for each of your fingertips.
Apple's Mighty Mouse fits its name with a classic Apple design and all the features of a powerful PC mouse. For more information visit Apple's website (external link).
Browse Blog Archives
« July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 »
Sponsor: Sunbird Calendar Application
Manage your schedule easily and store it where you want to. (external link)
