Web Presentation Guide 5.1
Browser Compatibility

Action
Design to support the predominant types and versions of browsers while following the State Standards for Internet Markup Language.

Why
The state's Internet standards for Internet Markup Language provide a framework to design for various types of browsers and to deliver Web-based information and services to the widest possible audience. They also promote usability and compatability.

What/How
Browsers run on a variety of platforms such as Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, Unix/Linux. A number of browsers are available to the public and multiple versions exist within each browser. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is the predominant browser, but several other browsers are used by a fair percentage of individuals, including: Firefox, Safari, Netscape, Mozilla, Opera, and more.

  • Use Web server logs to identify browser and platform trends.
  • Design and test for multiple browsers, operating systems, and versions (including backward compatibility) based on your intended audience.
  • Identify a recommended minimum browser level and provide a Web link to the upgrade and any necessary plug-ins when an application requires a higher-level browser for security, compatibility, or functional purposes.
Checklist: Browser Compatability
  Topic Complete
a. Design to support the predominant types and versions of browsers while following the State Standards for Internet Markup Language.
b. Use Web server logs to identify browser and platform trends.
c. Design and test for multiple browsers, operating systems, and versions including backwards compatibility for your intended audience.
d. Identify a recommended minimum for higher-level applications, and provide a Web link to the free browser upgrade and any necessary plug-ins when requirements are different than your general Web site browser standards.
e. Test your Web site to make sure it performs similarly in all the browsers and operating systems you intend to support.



Resources
XHTML 1.0 Reference Guide All about XHTML and HTML from the World Wide Web
Validate Your Markup Language Check Web documents in formats like HTML and XHTML
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) Add style (e.g. fonts, colors, spacing) to Web documents
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) Validation Tool Validate your Cascading Style Sheets
The Complete HTML 4.01 Reference HTML 4.01 Tags and IE and Netscape Compatibility
HTML Validator W3C HTML Validation Service
HTML TIDY HTML Utility to Review Code
Web Design Compatibility Information on browser compatibility and testing



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