Kind of old news, but I found this article to be pretty insightful. Thought I’d pass on the tidbits that made me perk up and listen.
Which bits of HTML5 can I use right now?
Rich: Lots of them! Here’s a short list of cross-browser (including IE) compatible techniques that you can use today:
- Change your doctype
- Simplify your character set
- Simplify your
// <![CDATA[
and
elements
- Use block level linking
- Get into the habit of using HTML5 class names in your HTML4 markup
- Use the new form input types, as they degrade gracefully
- Use elements such as
to add semantics that will be interpreted by leading browsers
- Use the
and
elements, and then make them degrade gracefully (see our article on audio or Video for Everybody)
For a clearer idea of what is or isn’t cross-browser compatible, check out these sites from Molly Holzschlag and Alex Deveria.
Here’s more
What are the benefits of using HTML5 now?
- Cleaner markup
- Additional semantics of new elements like
,
, and
- New form input types and attributes that will (and in Opera’s case, do) take the hassle out of scripting forms
- Staying ahead of the curve before HTML5 becomes the mainstream markup language. Use this as a selling point when talking with your clients
Here’s more:
What are the downsides to using HTML5 now?
- The spec isn’t finished and is likely to change
- Not everything works in every browser (but you could say the same about CSS, right?)
And lastly…
- Use the HTML5 doctype and character set.
- Use the simplified
and
elements.
- Use semantic class names that are representative of the new HTML5 elements. See @boblet’s cheat sheet for more on this.
- Use block level links.
- Use the new form attributes and input types.
- Use the new
and
media elements (but make sure they degrade gracefully).
- Plug the gaps with something like Modernizr.
Related External Links
- Graphic Design Jobs – 390th Edition « Freelance Graphic Design …
- Html Anchor Bookmark | Burke Knight Book Accessories
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