3twenty3.com,Jason Newlin

So, since I mentioned it yesterday, I might as well talk a little bit about it. I am not going to go into my super long speech or anything, just some basics, and what some others say.

Semantic HTML - What is it? Basically - HTML is for describing the structure and meaning of content – not for describing presentation.

As much as possible, the tags surrounding the content of a document should describe what that content is and/or what it’s for. - Jason Kottke

Semantic HTML is just regular HTML, “semantics” is just a fancy word for “meaning”. Its just using the given elements the way they were meant to be used.

Here is a pretty cool presentation that gives some examples: Joseph Lindsay - Semantic HTML, and its from May 2005.

I used to start every site with just the HTML first. NO image, NO CSS. I have gotten out of that habit, but really need to get back to it. It makes building site so much easier.

So, HTML, it seems so boring to most, but when you spend all day everyday knee deep in it - its passion. I have had a love/hate relationship with HTML for some time now, but I came across a great article the other day, and it really hit home.

In HTML, it really comes down to craftsmanship.

Here is the link: What Beautiful HTML Code Looks Like written by Chris Coyier.

There are so many people that think HTML is just tables and font tags, and if the web site or application works, its DONE.

In one of my previous jobs I tried really hard to have other people understand the importance of HTML and how it is all about craftsmanship and attention to detail, but I just kept getting ‘Oh, that’s easy, one of the programmers will just put it in some nested tables.’ Really? It wasn’t until the designers were starting to get really upset that their designs got butchered and the final web site looked like crap. But it worked said the programmers.

I dunno, don’t get me wrong, I love programmers (I wouldn’t have a job without them, and I don’t want to lump them together either), but the look and feel, and UI/UX is just not important to them most of the time.

HTML should be embraced and loved, it is the foundation to everything online.

Another link that came from the comments on Css-Tricks was this one by Roger over at 456 Berea Street - POSH - Plain Old Semantic HTML. Which brings me to another favorite topic of mine, semantics, but I will save that until another time.

Mark your calendars for November 14th, it’s the first Phoenix Facebook Developer’s Garage. Here is a little blurb:

Terralever will be hosting the Phoenix Facebook Developer’s Garage on November 14th. This free event is open to those interested in learning about Facebook, and the building and marketing of Facebook Applications.

A few other have posted about the event also:
Joel - Facebook Developer’s Garage - Phoenix
April - Facebook Developers Garage in Phoenix
Scott - How to get feedback on your Facebook App
Terralever - Facebook Developer’s Garage - Phoenix

It’s going to be a really fun night at the Tempe Center for the Arts, there will be lots of people speaking, including - Dave Morin from Facebook, Chris Johnson from Terralever, Nate Warner from Red Bull, Scott McAndrew & Joel Neubeck also from Terralever.

For more information, check out the Facebook Group.

Update: It’s Over - Phoenix Facebook Developer’s Garage