Re: [boost] Javascript?

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2002-09-09 19:45:43

From: "Paul Mensonides" <pmenso57_at_[hidden]>

> I have no major problem removing the Javascript from the PP libs.  It is
no big
> deal, but nevertheless, the pp-lib documentation is using compliant code
that
> works on the two most used browsers (by far) MS and Netscape.  Also, it
doesn't
> do any browser detection at all.

You did a nice job with these pages, definitely. I still have problems with
the interface sometimes, though. Also, I think the use of frames is going
to be a problem for those of us that want to print or post links.

> Things are getting better as far as compliance
> to the DOM.  This, as with tabs in source files, is not really a big deal
to me,
> but I find it kind of ironic that Boost seems to abhor evolution is
nearly
> everything but C++ itself.  I understand interests of portibility and all
that,
> and I'm not saying it isn't valid.  However, I now have to dumb down the
utility
> of the interface for browsers that aren't compliant.  I though we cared
about
> standards here?

Think of it this way: we're pushing the limits hard in the area of C++.
Managing workarounds for non-compliant and/or slow compilers is as much as
we can handle. Trying to do the same for browsers will push us over the
limit.

> > > 6. According to recent info in net ~95-97 present of browsers domain
is
> > > covered by ie and clones. Among the developers numbers are different
of
> > > course but ie still prevail I think. All others browsers try to keep
up
> > with
> > > de facto standard ie. Though I would not want to discuss this point
too
> > > much.
> >
> > I'm glad you said that, because usage patterns like this mean NOTHING
to
> > this context.  If I were designing an online website for banking, for
> > instance, I might be swayed by such data, but if there's a single Boost
user
> > who can't make use of the documentation because of Javascript, well...
> > that's one user too many.
>
> Yes they do.  They may not be the most important thing, but presentation
*does*
> matter--even for Boost.

Absolutely. Especially for Boost. Just remember that reliability and
straightforwardness are elements of the presentation which are often
overlooked.

-----------------------------------------------------------
           David Abrahams * Boost Consulting
dave_at_[hidden] * http://www.boost-consulting.com