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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