Beast-Blog.com
The Best of the Beast in 2008

As I did in 2006 and in 2007, I have created a “best of” post highlighting certain articles that I published in 2008. As I mentioned last year, some of the articles were chosen because I really liked them, others because you really liked them. If you want more of the latter let me know what you’d like to see. Sometimes I get stuck for ideas — though I usually think of something — but requests help.

January: What’s Best for Web Standards?

My thoughts about the plan proposed by Microsoft that will make “DOCTYPE Switch” obsolete beginning with the up-and-coming Internet Explorer 8 (IE8).

January: Making the WordPress Menu Smarter

Adding a few lines of code to the default WordPress pages menu can go a long way towards adding consistency, style, and enhanced usability.

January: The New Accessigooglability

Accessibility and Googlability combine to form Accessigooglability or Search Engine Accessibility (SEA). Is it a negative thing? It’s not perfect, but is it generally good or bad?

February: The Four Principles of Web Accessibility

The WCAG 2.0 guidelines and Success Criteria are organized around four principles, which lay the foundation necessary for anyone to access and use Web content. Anyone who wants to use the Web must have content that is: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. If any of these are not true, users with disabilities will not be able to use the web page.

February: Are Lists Becoming the New Tables?

Misusing specific elements in a way not intended, especially for presentational purposes, while creative and admirable on many levels, simply isn’t right. It happened to tables, and now it seems to be happening to lists.

February: Inaccessible Label-Wrapped Form Inputs

Wrapping a form input with its label can have serious consequences affecting Windows Eyes and Mac Safari users. It’s best for use a for/id attribute association.

March: Views From a Screen Reader User

Based on one screen reader user, a lot of form elements and other abuses can be easily tolerated and survived, but a lot depends on user settings.

March: Using the HTML Em and Strong Elements

Use the em and strong tags for what they’re meant for, but changing strong to its new HTML 5 meaning because that is better.

April: Protecting Forms from Spam ‘Bots

Securing forms on the web is critical. These four techniques, when used together, provide excellent ‘bot-posting mitigation.

April: The Minutiae Motherload

This is a collection of random thoughts, ideas, shortcuts, insights, even some questions. There are a few WordPress-specific items.

May: Web Semantics and Search

Semantics on the web may become more important than they are now thanks to search technology like that offered by PowerSet.

May: Killing Off Web Widows

One to two words on a new line can be referred to as a typographer’s widow. This can happen on the web, and while nit-picky, still adds up to a better site.

June: Web Excessibility

Too much of a good thing often ends up being less good. The same applies to web accessibility.

July: Picture This

I announce a change of field so to speak, giving lead to the craft of stock photography, primary working as a iStockphoto contributor.

August: Writing a Freely Distributable Script

Article about the pros and cons of writing a script, then freely sharing it with others via distribution on the web. Applies to other distributables. Covers myriad facets.

September: Should Web Developers Support 800×600?

Should web developers create sites that don’t require side-scrolling at a 800×600 window size or monitor resolution even though only an alleged 8% will be affective if support isn’t provided. I, for one, say yes.

September: Keyboard Support: Mysteries Unveiled

Inspired by an ALA article oversight, this is a reminder about adding keyboard support to all your site’s links, whether action is via CSS or JavaScript. Edited by Tommy Olsson.

September: Tweaking Your Lists

Here are a few CSS rules that will bring otherwise unstyled lists into some sort of arranged order, to tweak the default rendering, without really restyling them or going through a lot of trouble. Blockquote is also covered. (Surprised this wasn’t accepted more than it was.)

October: Enduring Rock

It seems like rock and roll is here to stay being that it’s multi-generational. That’s impressive. This is my tribute to that fact.

November: My WCAG 2.0 AAA Implementation

I made an officially recognized WCAG 2.0 AAA site, one of two worldwide. This is my impression and my observations of the experience, how it was working with the WCAG 2.0, and what the future may hold.

December: Adding a Map to Your Web Site

Adding a map to a web site can help people locate the business in question. Doing so, in an accessible and usable way is really simple and straightforward. This is one method.

Thanks for reading. If you want to stay on top of my articles in real time, establish a live bookmark to my feed and get everything hot off the presses.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to Everyone. All the best to you and yours in 2009!

Filed under Wicked Wild Web, Beast Ramblings —

Bookmarking Links » del.icio.us | Digg | blogmarks | StumbleUpon | Technorati |

These posts may be related:

What’s Best for Web Standards? »

My What-I’ve-Been-Up-To Post »

Goodbye Free Email »