Posted by Ed Mullen on 12/09/07 00:52

André Gillibert wrote:
> Helpful person wrote:
>
>> I agree with almost everything you say. I started with FrontPage and
>> dumped it as soon I decided it was easier to learn HTML and
>> Javascript. However, I find W3Schools a very useful on line
>> rerference. What is wrong with it?
>
> W3Schools provides relatively good tutorials, but they're full of
> inaccuracies.
> Consequently, they're not bad to be introduced to the matter, but
> they're really bad as *reference* documents.
>
> The good references are the W3C standards.
>

Except that they are nigh on impenetrable by ordinary folk. Or even
well-versed folk. A publication of standards is a great citation in an
argument but it is a terribly bad reference on how to do anything. If
all someone wants to do is get their boat out of their dock safely, do
not send them to the Coast Guard specs on boating safety. It won't help
- at all.

Likewise, if all someone wants to do is learn how to wash their car in
an eco-friendly way, don't send them to a page on how to formulate
detergents. They don't want that. It won't help them. All it will do
is frustrate them and make you seem like an iconoclastic asshole.

So, yeah, w3chools is flawed. Ok. But it is helpful in a basic way.
And when the user graduates from the basics you all can guide them into
the next level of enlightenment.

In the meantime? Provide a good (simple) alternative.

--
Ed Mullen
http://edmullen.net
http://mozilla.edmullen.net
http://abington.edmullen.net
Anal Glaucoma - When you just can't see yourself dragging your ass into
work today.

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