I originally posted this a couple of months ago on another blog, but after spending a bit of time re-examining the software in question today, I was driven to repost it....
Those of you that know me will understand my issue with this, but if you've just stumbled in by accident, I'll apologise in advance. This post is a geeky techie rant. Nuff said!
I am a web developer/designer (did you notice the order there?) who has been working on the web for 12 years. In that time, I have tried my hardest to stay up on current trends, latest techniques and new ideas in the web development field. I started as a "web designer" back in 1996, and over the past decade have had to stay abreast of developments, constantly honing my existing skills and learning new ones. So, bearing this in mind here goes....
WHY IS MICROSOFT USING PISS-POOR HTML TECHNIQUES IN THEIR VISUAL STUDIO 2008 EXPRESS EDITION TRAINING VIDEOS??????????
Do I seem a littled hot under the collar? That's because I am.
I work for a well known recruitment website, who are currently migrating their 'nix based web site and database etc across to ASP.NET - no, wait, thats not the punchline..., and as a result, my collegues and I on the design team are on a learning curve. Now, it's not too bad for me personally as I am a bit of an oddball on the team, in as much as I'm reasonably capable with non-design stuff, like Javascript, Ajax, XML, ASP, VB, SQL database coding (yes, yes, I know, Microsoft technologies), Actionscript etc, I'm a sort of designer programmer if you like, but most of the design team are DESIGNERS!
The whisper around the office is that the "recommended" web design/development software will be one of the following.
- Microsoft Expression Web - WHAT????? Has anyone actually used this out of choice? Our team have been working with Homesite (oldskool), and the old favorite Dreamweaver (we're on CS3 now), with a couple of us using alternative tools of choice, split between the Mac chaps using Coda, and myself using the awesome Aptana Studio (more on that another time....). I've installed an evaluation copy of Expression Web. All I can say is it looks and feels remarkably like F***tpage. Need I say more? and yes, I've read the rave reviews. I just think they are wrong. Dreamweaver killer, my arse.
- Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008 - Hmm. Top tool for the hardcore coders, but let's be honest, it's not the most inspiring tool for creating top notch sites now, is it?
So, I have been scooting around the net when I find a spare moment, looking out for useful tutorials and resources relating to how the ASP.NET migration will affect us and any changes that may be ahead. Naturally, the first place you'd think of looking would be the vendors
documentation and resources right? WRONG.
In the interests of being able to put forward an informed opinion on the matter, I spent a bit of time checking out Visual Web Developer 2008 this evening, specifically, watching some of the video training that Microsoft are providing on their site.
Please, if you are a web designer/developer/standards/accesibility nut,
watch this video, and spot the mistakes. I actually sat laughing as I watched. Shocking.
For those of you that are'nt total geeks, I'll explain....
Microsoft, at first, weren't particularly interested in the internet, then, they realised how big it would be and decided to jump on board. In the early days, they did'nt rule the online world as much as they do now, but over time, and several anti-trust cases, they now have a huge share of the world's web browser market. During the mid - late 90's we had the "browser wars" where it was sometimes easier to write 2 versions of your code to be sure all your site visitors could have the same experience. Fun times.
These days, things are getting better. It's still challenging to create a web site or web application that works across the broadest possible range of users, but today, we have more and more standards. XHTML and CSS are the norm, and sites are becoming more accesible, and useful by the day. Even Microsoft are flying the standards flag. No really...check this out, from the
Expression Web product overview...
"
Build dynamic, interactive pages that harness the power of the Web to deliver superior quality. Built-in support for today's modern Web standards makes it easy to optimize your sites for accessibility and cross-browser compatibility."
So, imagine my amusement, when I am watching the very first video in a series aimed at new ASP.NET developers, admittedly maybe hobbyists or students, but new developers all the same, and I am told to add a totally non-standard font to the project page (this should be CSS) and then a bit later, am shown how to use an HTML table for layout purposes (again, this should be CSS based).....
Microsoft.
Come on. It's 2008. You are pushing a very clever technology. So why, why , why are you insisting on oldskool 1990's HTML? If thats what you're recommending or endorsing, regardless of your new enthusiasm for standards, I am REALLY looking forward to the laugh I'm going to have when we start looking at the HTML your ASP.NET controls spit out.....
Jokers.
