Recently an article was published on A List Apart talking about the future of the DOCTYPE element and how browsers will render it in relation to web standards. In essence, the article discussed how developers have become used to certain browser rendering habits, and although they work within a standard framework, have not accounted for browsers in the future to display their websites correctly. Therefore, WASP suggests these browsers should continue to render like their previous counterparts unless specifically targeted to utilize current day standards.

First off, this line of thought is completely ignorant. The whole concept of web standards is to create a guideline that all developers can follow when producing websites. If developers stick to this guideline the consensus is that the browser (any version) should render pages correctly. Granted, some browsers (IE6/IE7/Safari1.2) have various issues rendering standard compliant code, but, in these cases, developers have found ways to target individual browsers and versions to make them work. For instance, utilizing conditional comments to target IE. The rest of the browsers: Firefox, Opera, Safari 2&3, Konquerer, etc. that actually follow web standards tend to look and act the same. There may be slight text rendering differences, or slight pixel variations, but for the most part functionality works and the website looks good.

The point is, standards work. So why in the world would we change the paradigm of how we implement them? It makes no sense to have a browser render pages like the previous version unless otherwise told.

The solution is simple. Target the browsers that have standards problems and apply hacks as needed. Otherwise, assume the “standard” will work and fully embrace it. If websites from the late 90’s break, so be it, you can’t impliment a standard without having non-standardized things stop working perfectly.

It’s like anything, if you want it to get better, you have to make a few sacrifices. If those sacrifices entail non-standards websites, then it’s time for that to happen. The web will be a better place. We have to stop placating people and force change for the better.