The approach is similar (although not identical) to using an IE6-only style sheet, whereby you serve a certain set of styles to most users, while serving alternate styles to users of IE6 and lower.
With graceful degradation, you code for the best browsers and ensure that as the various layers of CSS3 are peeled away on older browsers, those users still get a usable (even if not necessarily as pleasing an) experience. In many ways, the schools of thought are similar, and regardless of which you adopt, you will face many of the same concerns and issues, only from different angles. In other words, make sure the film still looks good even without the 3-D specs. There are two schools of thought with CSS3 usage, and it would be safe to say that the fundamental principle of both is to maintain a website’s usability for those whose browsers do not support CSS3 capabilities, while providing CSS3 enhancements for those whose browsers do. Sound familiar? If you have dabbled in or even taken a peek at CSS3, it should. In film, you create the best film you can make and then tailor the product to the viewing platform. To Gracefully Degrade or Progressively Enhance? In many cases, CSS3 simply allows us to do the things that we’ve been doing for years, but without all the hassle. However, simply equating CSS3 to 3-D misses the point. But if some really do improve the website, then why not? Likewise, you don’t need to splash CSS3 gradients everywhere and use every font face you can find. But making a film without using 3-D technology is still perfectly acceptable, and sometimes even necessary. They are both leading-edge technologies that add a lot to the experience.
You make the experience as good as you can make it, and then people will get an experience that is suitable to what they’re viewing the movie on.Ī lot about CSS3 can be compared to 3-D technology. So, does that mean you shouldn’t take advantage of all the great stuff that Blu-ray allows with sound and video just because someone somewhere will not watch the film on a Blu-ray player? Of course not. Even among these few viewing options, there is still a massive potential for differences: IMAX, DVD, Blu-ray, surround sound - somebody may even opt for VHS!
Some will watch them at the cinema, some will watch them at home, and some will watch them on portable devices. Filmmakers can’t guarantee what platform their viewers will see their films on. The best analogy to explain CSS3 that I’ve heard relates to the world of film.
How To Support Internet Explorer and Still Be Cutting Edg.The Principles Of Cross-Browser CSS Coding.CSS Differences in Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8.You may also be interested in the following related posts: This article will first look at the ideas behind CSS3, and then consider some good working practices for older browsers and some new common issues.
While plenty of people out there are using CSS3, many aren’t so keen or don’t know where to start. However, with IE9 not being supported on versions of Windows before Vista and a lot of businesses still running XP and reluctant (or unable) to upgrade, it might take a while until a vast majority of our users will see the new technologies put to practice. With IE still the single most popular browser and in many ways the browser for the uninitiated, this is hopefully the long awaited start of us Web craftsmen embracing the idea of using CSS3 as freely as we do CSS 2.1. With the arrival of IE9, Microsoft has signalled its intent to work more with standards-based technologies.