Re: JavaScript

On Thursday, May 29, 2003, at 11:02  am, dominic mcmahon wrote:

> I understood that the need to make sites work without javascript was
> really
> because of those accessing the web with text only browsers - which
> don't
> seem to work with JS...

JavaScript often doesn't work as advertised in many browsers. It often
should work in theory but doesn't

There seems to be a blossoming of browsers at the moment, from Apple's
Safari to various Gecko/Netscape variants. These new browsers are being
deployed in kiosks, iTV and mobile devices, using JavaScript is
limiting your audience to the desktop. It's forcing your potential
customers (people who really want to give you money) to go somewhere
else.

JavaScript doesn't work in JAWS, the leading screen reader used by
blind people. At a usability test I once watched as the subject, who
was buying a holiday, found the search form, which contained "enter
text here"...and he entered "jersey" and hit the search button. The
JavaScript was supposed to clear the form on entry, but didn't, so he
searched for "jerseyenter text here"...and found nothing at all. It is
looking highly likely that if you provide a service online in the UK it
will have to be accessible.

Google doesn't follow JavaScript links, so no one will find you anyway.

Personally, I try to only use JavaScript for non-essential items (that
you can live without), for small tools,  or situations where I can
control what browser, and what version, and what CPU speed is going to
be used (and even then I try not to)

cheers

tom

--
tom smith
http://dev11.otherworks.com/theotherblog/
yahooIM: theotherblog
aolM: theotherblog
0207 089 5959
3rd Floor, The Pavilion, Newham's Row, London SE1 3UZ




--
tom smith
http://dev11.otherworks.com/theotherblog/
yahooIM: theotherblog
aolM: theotherblog
0207 089 5959
3rd Floor, The Pavilion, Newham's Row, London SE1 3UZ

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