Re: [MACCAWS] Nice example of a commercial CSS site [idea]

I'll third the 'good idea' thing.

However, in an effort to not sound nitpicky, it'd be best if we asked
some questions of the webmaster in the original e-mail (perhaps about
his design methodology, coding practices, etc.) in an effort to seem
more friendly.  If an "organizational" congratulations is sent out and
then followed up with another e-mail bluntly urging them on to greater
efforts, it makes the original congratulations seem insincere and,
well, kind of tacky.

I guess there's two ways to approach it -- one is to send out an
official-looking, "Great job!" notice without being too formulaic about
the message itself, and then make the suggestions very gently a few
paragraphs down.  The other would be to ask an individual to contact
the webmaster personally, and open up a dialogue with them on a more
personal level.

Personally, I'd think the latter might be more effective (it might gain
MACCAWS a few recruits, too), but that's just IMHO... any other ideas?

Seth Foley
[email protected]

--- [email protected] wrote:
> I agree with Tom on both points below - We can't belittle someone for
> not being perfect - which would not only leave a bad taste in the
> mouth but leave us up for shooting down for very small 'mistakes'. 
> 
> If the communication congratulates them for moving towards web
> standards then we'll get many more people on our side. Whether we
> combine that with pointers towards more compliance is a little wrong,
> IMHO. What I think we could do is send out something saying "Great",
> then a couple of weeks later follow up with "We've been loking at
> your site and found that you could be MORE compliant by doing this  .
> . . and this . . . differently". We then get 2 bites @ the cherry and
> get them on our side first. We may even get some feedback.
> 
> If that didn't make sense its been a long day.
> 
> Regards
> 
> John
> 
> P.S. My project to convert a code validated XHTML 1.0 transitional
> website to an Standards compliant and accessible XHTML 1.1 website is
> under way (I need it for a course I'm writing) is in progress - and
> I'm documenting what I'm doing. That will be available on my site
> when it's done.
> 
> 
> 
> >  from:    Tom Dell'Aringa <[email protected]>
> >  date:    Thu, 22 Aug 2002 17:00:32
> >  to:      [email protected]
> >  subject: Re: [MACCAWS] Nice example of a commercial CSS site
> [idea]
> > 
> There has been quite a bit of discussion (some very negative comments
> too) about this site. The simple point is this, as I will subquote
> someone - its a ballsy move for a commercial company to take this
> chance. They didn't have to eschew table based layouts and so on to
> do this, but they are taking the leap. We need to stand behind such
> an effort and *encourage* them.
> 
> I think what would be a good idea is for us to have some kind of
> semi-standard letter we send out to a company like this, thanking
> them for attempting to move toward standards, and offering *friendly*
> advice on how they can improve, if they so choose. I think that would
> help our name get out there and the point of our being. Business
> people talk.
> 
> Tom
> 
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