[Sigia-l] "Who Really Turns Off JavaScript?"

[Phil Glatz]

At 08:49 PM 11/7/2005, Bruce wrote:
>What you can do is structure your Javascript to work with those browsers
>that utilise standard DOMs.

recommended reading:
DHTML Utopia Modern Web Design Using JavaScript & DOM, by Stuart Langridge

This is a great little reference and philosophy book about using good 
coding practices on modern browsers.  He makes no apologies, and with 
a few minor exceptions, uses none of the traditional hacks that have 
made javascript less than elegant in the past.  There are good 
examples of solving common problems, including scripts to allow 
validation on both the client and server side with a common code base.

I'm on the fence about depending too much on javascript.  My 
experience is that about 95% of most audiences can deal with itm 
based on the browser types appearing in my server logs, and the fact 
that most users *never* change their default browser settings.  There 
are situations where those other 5% are critical, and also 
specialized environments, like corporations that demand a specific 
non-compliant browser type.

In the real world, I think conservatively coded javascript, written 
to modern DOM, works just fine.  As a user, I much prefer an initial 
client-side validation when filling out forms, even just a rough one 
to check for the most common mistakes.  I've also found that the 
developer extensions for Firefox makes testing and debugging 
javascript much easier than it has been in the past.


I've followed this thread with mild amusement; there are compelling 
arguments for both sides, and I think using one's good judgement for 
a particular situation is the answer.  The level of passion is taking 
on religious overtones, and as with religion, I would hate to have to 
say which side is always the "right" one.  Please relax!