Automatic Numbering with CSS Counters
The CSS 2.1 spec makes inserting counters into content possible. This has always been possible with ordered lists, but this counter system is much more robust allowing you to insert counters on any type of page element, set up incrementation rules, resetting rules, and more. The Opera Dev Blog has a nice article on how to do it. Works in current versions of all the major good browsers, and is slated to work in IE 8.
Typographic Marks Unknown
Familiar to most, yet understood by few. Things like the Pilcrow ( ¶ ) and the Section Sign ( § ).
Embarrassing CSS Mistakes
David Walsh goes all confessional and shares his Worst CSS Mistakes. Pretty funny stuff like setting font size with the star selector, then trying to make some text larger and having to fight against it with all nested elements.
That FirefoxS sounds pretty awful, I don’t think I could do that to a user. Are there any known OS problems with that? I know Vista is pretty locked down for stuff like that.
FirefoxS works fine on Windows Vista too.
FirefoxS supports both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows 98, 98 SE, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, XP, 2003, 2008 and Vista.
FirefoxS should only be used as an “easy Firefox install” option that is clearly explained. The explanation doesn’t need to be long-winded. Using a conditional style sheet, have some area pop up that says something along the lines of “This website isn’t that awesome in Internet Explorer. To see it in all its goodness, use Firefox. Go to their website to download here(link) or use this “easy install” button (which would be FirefoxS). That way they can use it and not feel hoodwinked. You could optionally put below that “If you’re really attached to Internet Explorer, then at least get the latest version here(link). But I hope you give Firefox a try, experience the web the way it is supposed to be!”
I’m all for getting people away from IE6 and earlier, but not against peoples knowledge.
@Aaron B: I think that’s about the best solution I’ve heard yet Aaron. A friendly explaination, with very clear options and suggestions.
@Aaron B: I think your “friendly explanation” is nice, but I have a few remarks:
You could add to your explanation that Google Chrome, Apple Safari and Opera all work fine too
People using IE6 or earlier often don’t know what a browser is (they just use what was on their PC when they got it) or think that Internet Explorer is the Internet or something, so they won’t understand your explanation – so perhaps you should also explain what Firefox is (and why it is better)? Perhaps add a screenshot of the website in all its goodness?
Otherwise just don’t explain it, like Adobe does with Flash. And you know the installed base of Flash… if they use Internet Explorer they don’t know better, so they don’t care which browser they have
Different versions of Internet Explorer look and work more different then Internet Explorer compared to Firefox, so I don’t think that suggesting to keep Internet Explorer but only use another version is a great idea (however updating isn’t bad, although newer versions of IE are slower and use more RAM)
Remember that people using an OS from before Windows XP with IE6 can’t install the latest version of Internet Explorer
Hey Chris, just wanted to say thanks for posting a link to my article on typographic marks! I really appreciate it.
@Mark: I definitely agree with you on those points, I was just trying to keep it short and put the idea out there. My browser of choice is Safari for Mac, with the Glims plugin (machangout.com). And having MobileMe and an iPhone, it’s nice having bookmarks auto sync.