html5 - HTML 5, what should I tell my clients? -


more of clients lately asking me html 5 , i'm trying sense of tell them. how long until major browsers have standard support it? how long until leave html 4 behind , code new projects in html 5? telling clients?

you've gotten answers, i'll chime in well. wouldn't give client blanket "yes" or "no" on html5. i'd take @ what has changed , break down sections based on how it's supported.

the doctype:

nothing stopping switching html5 doctype today. browsers don't understand html5's new tags (most notably ie 6-8) recognize <!doctype html> valid doctype , not switch quirks mode. after declaring document html5 document, you're free use (or not use) html5's new tags heart's content. personally, i've started using html5 doctype on websites -- if have no immediate plans use html5's new features -- because there isn't negative side effect, , bonus don't have try remember correct way write doctype , charset everytime start new page (which have html4/xhtml).

new (layout) tags:

next, have figure out why client interested in using html5 in first place. guess they're interested because sounds trendy , cutting edge. in reality, 1 of biggest benefits of many new tags (such <section>, <nav>, <footer>, <aside>, etc) make code more readable if page filled <div>s everywhere. great advantage coder (and in future might accessibility), right now, change makes little difference client.

new features (video , audio):

alternative, client might have specific html5 features want site use. 2 of popular <video> , <audio> tags. great thing these can fallback flash, don't have lose (as far browser support goes) using them.

complex features:

other popular new features <canvas>, geolocation, , local storage (not html5, related). these, fallbacks (if exist) require lot more work on part. if client wants these features, you'll need figure out browsers (or customers , site visitors) using, , percent of target audience they're willing leave behind.

conclusion

that got little long-winded; long story short, i'd tell client this: "i'll gladly start using html5 features immediately. remember, though, specification not finalized, , continue change on next 10 years. around 50-60% of our clients may using browsers don't support of html5's new features, we'll need thorough analysis before adding complex features of html5."


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