Beast-Blog.com
Mike Cherim's Professional and Personal Web Log

It’s more than a Rebootification Project. It’s a lot more accessible, more usable, friendlier, better than before, and quite simply more. Yes. I’m extremely pleased to announce the launch of my Beast-Blog Theme v.2.0 and its dedicated support blog, now sporting the new design. Finally a new version of my long-popular version one of the same name. This has been long overdue and was screaming for a technical upgrade.

Continue reading “Beast-Blog v2: Accessible WordPress Theme” »

Web accessibility can be a scary thing to get into, and being that starting any project can be the hardest part — the motivation comes before momentum — it was determined a solid place and plan to start, all while throwing out the rule book so to speak, is something some developers really need. Trying to master accessibility will prevent some from even attempting it, but it’s really an unnecessary obstacle as mastery isn’t needed to begin. We’re attempting to illuminate the easy path.

Continue reading “Practical, Entry-Level Web Accessibility” »

Over at Accessites we’ve been at it since January 1st of 2006: checking in (234) and grading sites (64), issuing awards (54) — also rejecting some (158) — and giving recognition to developers who are helping us prove accessible sites need not be plain Jane and boring, and publishing some related articles (31). Speaking of articles, I wrote one just for this one-year milestone. This post here on my blog is simply to host any comments or questions our readers/visitors/submitters/supporters may have.

Continue reading “Accessites.org Turns One” »

Why should US businesses make their sites accessible? Especially considering it’s not toothy law and where the law does apply, there is little to no compliance to serve as a worthy example. For instance, since 1998, sites affiliated with and for the US government are supposed to comply with Section 508 guidelines. But many, if not most, don’t. I suspected this was simply due to aged designs that would be made accessible when refurbished. After yesterday morning, though, I realize the US isn’t even close. I don’t particularly want to criticize my own country’s government, but the failings in the area of web accessibility is undeniably pathetic. Get with the program Uncle Sam!

Continue reading “The U.S. Needs Exemplary Accessibility” »

Web accessibility isn’t exceptionally difficult to get a handle on, and the majority of its practices fit nicely into contemporary web development, especially if said development adheres to web standards. It’s like most things, you just have to embrace it a bit. But, when first learning web accessibility and uncovering its secrets, like many things, it can seem daunting and difficult. I think a lot of developers are downright intimidated by web accessibility — maybe even scared to go that route. But why? I suspect the reason is web accessibility is a discipline that lacks accessibility. Just look at the play book (and what’s ahead).

Continue reading “Making Web Accessibility Accessible” »

When I started using computers in the early 90s I used to complain every time Microsoft or some software manufacturer came up with a new version of whatever it was of theirs I was using. My gripe was that I had finally gotten a good handle on the old product and didn’t really want to upgrade and re-live an often painful learning curve. I was content. But, as support waned, I relented and did as was expected of me — what I was essentially forced to do: I upgraded. As software improved and I became more computer savvy these transitions got easier. Usually, after the fact, I was happy I stayed current. That was me as a user. Now, as a web developer, I find myself on the other side of that very situation.

Continue reading “Supporting Legacy Browsers, or Not” »

I need your feedback. On Friday, November 3rd I will be one of the speakers for the “Accessibility in Cyberspace: The ADA’s Applicability Online” conference. There I will be representing web developers. Frankly, I’m a little nervous and could use your help. I’ve given plenty of talks and presentations in my life, but as a representative of web developers this is my first. And since it’s a teleconference I can’t imagine the audience sitting in their underwear to ease the tension. I will be the last presenter, so the audience may be bored to tears at this point, yet for ten minutes I have to try and prevent them from nodding off and offer them value.

Continue reading “ADA’s Applicability Online” »

This post is here to support potential commentary in response to an Accessites.org article written by Gez Lemon and myself being called The Great Accessibility Camp-Out. In the feature we discuss our views as to how we define “web accessibility,” but that’s not the purpose of the article. Gez and I agree to disagree and get along just fine, and that is more to the point. Sure you can read it and agree or disagree with one or both of us. That’s fine. We’re not looking for votes. We realize that regardless of how we define the word, the goal in the end is the same: To make the web more accessible. Period.

Continue reading “Re: The Great Accessibility Camp-Out” »

I sometimes see features on websites that, for a few moments, make me think wow, that’s cool. Then, upon using the site for a bit, I start thinking wow, that’s pretty damn annoying. Initially I feel the site’s developer or webmaster might be onto a good thing, but then the old usability angle comes into play and changes my mind. You may have experienced the same thing. It’s perhaps just a subjective thing. After all I am just a single user with my own tastes and preferences. I mean no disrespect to anyone, and some of the things I have grown to dislike most certainly have their place in world of the web. They can be neat tricks that, if used at the right time and in the right place, can make a site really shine and come to life. Okay, I suppose you want an example. All right, here goes, here’s one: CSS pop-ups; the kind used for tool tips. They often bug me.

Continue reading “Site Features Overload” »