[UPHPU] W3 Validation Images

[Ken Snyder]

Brandon Stout wrote:
> Justin Giboney wrote:
>> Is there value in adding the w3 validation images to a business site?
>>
>> Justin Giboney
>
> I believe they hold value, but not for customers.  I like to promote 
> well-written code, so I use the badges on many sites, especially for a 
> portfolio site (a "promote me"/"hire me" site).  I want employers to 
> know that I focus on quality, valid code.  For sales, I imagine it 
> holds little value unless you use that site in your portfolio for 
> future employers or for promotion.  I'm no design specialist, but be 
> careful of clutter - if your site has a simple design, maybe use the 
> badges.  If it has lots of info per page, consider not using them.
>
> Brandon Stout
> http://mscis.org
Standards are worthless unless they are widely implemented.  As more 
people promote standards, the apathetic get pressured to step it up.  I 
think the original intent of validation images is to promote standards. 

I agree though, the badges are sometimes useful to illustrate 
quality--or, less helpfully, to bolster one's own ego.

Still the why...

For one, validation ensures well-formedness.  When documents are 
malformed, parsers must spend extra time deciding how to compensate.  
The time is usually negligible but is important to small-CPU mobile 
devices such as the iPhone or a cell phone. 

For another, standards ensure that web sites won't suddenly stop 
"working" when web technology ratchets to the next level. 

For another, failing to adhere to standards can hinder the adoption of 
helpful new technology such as hover effects, PNG, SVG, 3-column liquid 
layout, columnar layout, and multiple background imaging.  Yes, I'm 
talking about the Browser-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.  :)

- Ken